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The Pride Project




The Pride Project as detailed by Dr. Barney Fleming

The pride project is the results of much planing on the part of several
concerned people involved in the sport of Endurance Riding. These people
realized that there is a definite shortage of metabolic data on the horses
that participate in the many everyday rides around the country, leaving the
rider and the Veterinarians guessing where the horses stand as a result of
long distance riding. The only data collected in the past has been on the
high profile, more competitive rides and that data is in private hands and
not generally available to riders. These people also recognized that there
needs to be a means of monitoring horses at rides in order to provide the
very best of care.

There are 3 phases to the Pride Project, with the first being gathering of
hard to get data, for the use of the riders on an individual basis, so that
they, with the help of their Veterinarian, can correct any problems they
have with supplementing and conditioning their horses. The second phase is
to combine all this data and get it analyzed for the benefit of the sport as
a whole. Then phase 3 will be to provide testing at rides all around the
country to help the ride Veterinarians know how to support a horse having
trouble.

With the purchase of the Heska iStat blood chemistry analyzer, we will be
able to test on the spot which will give us very accurate electrolyte levels
and blood gases. In the past sending blood to the lab would not give us
accurate levels of these two things, due to the sample being unstable with
time. The samples will also be sent to a commercial lab for all the other
values that can be run. These tests will be preformed before, during and
after the ride. The results will be sent to the rider for their Veterinarian
to use in helping determine if there is a problem. The results will be
accompanied by an explanation on any abnormal values.

This amount of testing would cost as much as $300.00 if it were being done
on a private basis. But due to much hard work and negotiation, volunteer
labor and volume, it can be done for only $100. What you will get if you
wish to participate in the project is 3 complete profiles and CBC’s, with
interpretation of values that are out of the known normal range. What will
be involved is you will contact the Pride Project and will be sent a
questionnaire and scheduled for testing. You will send in the questionnaire
and a check for $100, and on the afternoon before the ride we will draw 2
small samples of blood. At one of the vet checks we will take 2 more small
samples and again after the ride. The electrolytes and gases will be run on
the spot and the remaining test will be sent off to a commercial lab in
Oklahoma. When the results come back a report will be sent to you. You can
then discuss the results with your Veterinarian.

The data we will be gathering will include; Sodium, Potassium, Ionized
Calcium, pH, HCO3, PCO2, PO2, TCO2, SO2, Base Excess, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin
(done at the ride), and CBC, Glucose, BUN, Total Protein, Creatinine,
Calcium, Phosphorus, Albumin, Alk Phos, Cholesterol, SGOT, Total Bilirubin,
Direct Bilirubin, Chloride, Gamma GT, LDH, and CPK (done at the lab). All of
these parameters will be measured before the ride, during the ride and after
the ride.

Tentative and incomplete schedule:

Rio Grande Ride 11/20/99 Silver State Point to Point 11/26 – 29/99

Around The Mountain 12/4 – 5 /99 Death Valley Encounter 12/ 28 – 31 /99

Warner Hot Springs 1/8/00 El Paso to Las Cruces 1/15 – 16 /00

T or C 100 1/29/00 Cow Tanks 1/ 11 – 13 /00

20 Mule Team 2/19/00 Renegade 3/ 13 – 17 /00

Gamblers Special 4/ 2 – 2 /00 Indian Springs 4/8/00

Desert Sky Riders 4/22/00 Chimayo Chile 5/6/00

Mt Charleston 5/ 20 – 21 /00 Tall Pines 5/28/00

Mt Laguna 6/10/00



This project has not come cheap. The equipment alone cost over $5,000 and
the supplies, shipping, computer cost and other lab cost takes up the rest
of the revenue. The project will be successful if you, the rider,
participate. Donations are also welcome. To take part in this project
contact Dr. Fleming at 505-646-1115 or email to endurancevet@writeme.com


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