Re: body fat and performance

["Duncan Fletcher" <dfletche@gte.net>]

Another thought comes to mind. Perhaps those horses with high body scores
also have as a byproduct higher glycogen stores. Perhaps the horse has a
genetic dispostion to developing adipoise tissue over storeing glycogen - or
at least doing so in tandem. So often, a study raises as many questions as
it answer.

The hydration thing also crossed my mind. Doesn't adipoise tissue stores a
fair amount of water? Any idea how much?

Duncan Fletcher
dfletche@gte.net


----- Original Message -----
From: <CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com>
[snip]> There is an "optimal" amount of fat for distance competition in my
field
> observations--one does not want an obese horse, obviously, because it IS
> extra pounds to carry, interferes with thermoregulation, etc.  However,
when
> the thin layer of fat under the skin has gone, the horse also tends to be
> less able to manage hydration levels, etc.  There are more things that can
go
> wrong than just hypoglycemia--and that failure to look at the whole horse
is
> the main thing that bothers me when people make sweeping comments about
> things like "treating" tied-up horses with carbs.  Overall body health
(which
> as I mentioned includes at least SOME fat) plays a role in being able to
> handle water regulation, electrolyte regulation, therrmoregulation, and a
> whole host of other things necessary to stay healthy while performing at
> one's best.  Every time we focus in on one thing, we have to keep in the
> backs of our minds where all the rest of these functions are going.
>
> Heidi
>
>
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Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
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