ridecamp@endurance.net: Fw: Recommended rations

Fw: Recommended rations

lahayward (haywardl@shentel.net)
Tue, 9 Dec 1997 13:08:11 -0500

----------
> From: lahayward <haywardl@shentel.net>
> To: bobmorris@rmci.net
> Subject: Re: Recommended rations
> Date: Tuesday, December 09, 1997 1:07 PM
>
> Hi Bob -- you won't get any flames from VA with those statements.......I
> totally agree! Horses will learn to eat properly during competition if
> given the opportunity but it won't happen overnight and there is no
miracle
> training or feeding method that will get them to top performance except
for
> the proper amount of careful conditioning over time.
>
> Lori Hayward
> LIV2RYD in VA where we are getting our first winter snowstorm!
>
>
>
> ----------
> > From: Robert J. Morris <bobmorris@rmci.net>
> > To: ridecamp@endurance.net; RALSTON@AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU
> > Subject: Re: Recommended rations
> > Date: Tuesday, December 09, 1997 1:01 PM
> >
> > Must say we agree with Sarah in the case of feeding the endurance
horse.
> We
> > have been feeding and riding endurance horses for more than 20 years
now
> > with a modicum of success (over 26,000 miles in top ten, one AERC Hall
of
> > Fame Mare, several more with 5/3 and 2,000 miles on them.
> >
> > We feed the same ration every day of the week with seasonal adjustments
> and
> > some minor ones for work load. Plenty of exercise and free choice of
the
> > vegetation growing in these sparse foothills. Right now the horses will
> not
> > come for the morning feeding as the cheat grass is sprouting, the
rabbit
> > brush has snow on it and there are some cottonwood leaves under the
snow.
> > They get their grain (1 to 2 pounds of rolled barley) and some fair
> quality
> > hay in the evening feeding.
> >
> > I still do not feel the average horse needs all the fuss that is going
on
> > concerning feeding unless that horse is being placed in upper level
> > competition. In fact I feel (personal feelings no scientific backup)
that
> > many of the problems the average horse encounters is caused by the
owner
> > looking for an easy way (read special feeds, additives, shoes etc.) to
> get
> > better performance with minimal preparation.
> >
> > Face it people, we have found over the years that not only does it take
> > several years to develop the physical necessities for top competition,
it
> > can take several years to teach a horse to eat properly for the same
> > competition. Still say, start out with the basics, when competition
level
> > requires more then add very slowly or better yet drop back and
condition
> > more slowly.
> >
> > I await the flames, it is cold here today so send them on.
> >
> > Bob Morris
> > Morris Endurance enterprises
> > Boise, ID
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Bob Morris
> > Morris Endurance Enterprises
> > Boise, ID
> >
> > ----------
> > > From: RALSTON@AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU
> > > To: ridecamp@endurance.net
> > > Subject: Recommended rations
> > > Date: Tuesday, December 09, 1997 8:20 AM
> > >
> > > In a message dated 97-12-08 16:11:58 EST, ti wrote to me in
> > > a private E-mail (much of the rest of it I left out):
> > >
> > > >Ok, so what, then, is your overall nutrient prescription for the
four
> > days
> > > >leading up to an endurance ride and the nutrient intake on the day
of
> > the
> > > >competition.
> > >
> > > a reasonable request-though Wendy, Susan and others including myself,
> > > have been over this many times in the past:
> > > Ergo, An abbreviated form, check the archives for details:
> > >
> > > leading up to an endurance ride and the nutrient intake on the day of
> the
> > > the ride?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I do not recommend changing the horse's diet before a competition
> > > other than giving electrolytes the night before and morning of
> > > and, if it was on 24 hour pasture (as so many are, unlike your
> > > racehorses), adapting it to the type and quantity of hay I planned
> > > to feed at a ride. If it was training successfully on a ration, don't
> > mess
> > > with success! During the ride: electrolytes as necessary, mashes
> > > with bran, soaked whole corn plant cubes, carrots, apples, n
> > > maybe a handful of grain (more for taste), let graze or munch
> > > hay as much as possible. After ride, once gut sounds returned to
> > > normal, small frequent meals of grain (1 lb an hour for up to 6 or 7
> > hours),
> > > if the horse was really pushed (not necessary after limited
distances,
> as
> > a
> > > rule) or a hard keeper.
> > >
> > > If the horse has been properly conditioned this works well. Yes, some
> > endurance
> > > horses are fed large amounts of grain, but in numerous studies on
> > distance
> > > type work, even though some get away with it and even excel, there is
a
> > > significant increase in the risk of colic and metabolic problems with
> > high
> > > grain rations. Some of the "top" competitors do all sorts of weird
> > things for
> > > that special "edge" , however their horses usually are not around
> after
> > > two or three years of competition. Many others of us in this
> > > sport look at our equine athletes as a long term investment,
> > > not a disposable commodity. Will your racehorses still be competing
> > > successfully 10-15 years from now (or even be serviceably sound?).
> > >
> > > Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD
> > > Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Nutrition
> > >
> >

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