Re: colicky at rides

["Maggie Mieske" <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

You have to read Susan's article in EN about avoiding the metabolic pull. 
An eye opener for me was that what you feed the horse on THURSDAY is what
is in his gut on SATURDAY.  I start feeding lots of wet beet pulp with the
regular grain on WEDNESDAY plus a handful of salt with every feeding to
encourage drinking.  I tried this the last two rides and even though we
pulled for stuff other than metabolic, the horses' hydration, drinking,
eating, etc. was the best ever!!!  I also made sure the horses had free
choice hay all the week before.  I believe it made a HUGE difference and
can't wait to try it again!  Both of the last two rides were pretty hot and
humid so I was impressed with the results.  They still got their beet pulp
mash with carrots and apples and some cob at the vet checks and the fact
that they were hungry and eating helped me know they were doing well.  I do
give an ounce of pro bi if their gut sounds drop below an A.....I know some
on RC don't believe the stuff works but I have used it with mild colic
cases with absolute success.  I have used more caution since reading some
posts that too much can cause some problems...I used to give it before we
left, when we got there, the night before, etc.  Now I just give it at the
vet check IF their gut sounds aren't up to snuff and if they are OK, I
don't bother.  So far, so good.  But it might be worth a try.  I bet
filling him up Wed and Thurs with beet pulp and all week with lots of hay
(even if it means isolating them part of the time to make sure they eat it
which I do at night) will make a big difference.  Not a fun thing to be
worrying about.  Good luck!  I bet Susan might have some more insight for
you....maybe her article is on her website?  I can't remember.


Maggie Mieske
Mieske's Silver Lining
10601 S. Richards Rd.
McBain, Michigan 49657
http://www.netonecom.net/~mmieske
mmieske@netonecom.net

----------
> From: Brian Ferguson <brianf@northcoast.com>
> To: ridecamp@endurance.net
> Cc: brianf@northcoast.com
> Subject: RC:  colicky at rides
> Date: Thursday, July 06, 2000 11:23 AM
> 
> I'm looking for some feedback on a problem I've had repeatedly with my
> horse on 50mile rides.  It hasn't happened every time, but seems like it
> may be getting worse.  He's mentally very competitive, feels anxious
> when left behind, sweats quite a bit when he gets worked up, and when in
> a group of horses at a ride, does o.k. if following a horse, but when in
> front, his heart rate goes up 30 bpm. Also he has a hard time settling
> down into a nice trot when he's excited, so wastes energy cantering
> alot.  When alone, and into the ride for awhile, he'll finaly trot very
> nicely.  The colicky problem happens after 20-25 miles, usually at the
> lunch stop, after he's had a bit to eat and drink.  His pulse had come
> down, but as he's eating it's gone back up and his stomach tightens up
> in the lower rib/flank area, also across his loins.  He starts grunting,
> and pacing, at which point I immediately start walking him.  He's walked
> out of it at the last two rides, vet gives me the o.k. to go, however I
> do take it easy. Ride before last he finished at the very end, nice and
> slow, but the last ride, after coming out of it at the lunch stop, he
> cramped up on the trail, after a good drink of water, and a small climb
> up a hill (at a walk, with me off him).  I led him into camp (1-2
> miles), and he had come out of it by the time I arrived.  It took awhile
> for him to come down, and after he did, it elevated again while he was
> eating at the trailer.  Another small bout of cramping.  Walked out of
> it again, and since all other signs appeared to be fine, vet gave me
> o.k. to continue, however I decided not to, because he just didn't seem
> to be his usual self, and I especially didn't want this to happen AGAIN
> on the trail!  (Even if I walked the remainder). These are the two rides
> I've done this year.  After the first one, I talked to a vet, who said
> maybe I need to electrolyte him a bit more, perhaps he was dehydrated.
> He had gotten one dose the morning of the ride, and 2-3 half doses that
> day.  Vet at most recent ride thought this may be a horse that can't
> handle electrolytes, and not give him any more. (He had gotten a dose
> Thursday night for the trailer ride, a half dose Fri. morn, a full dose
> Fri. nite, and a full dose an hour before I started the ride Sat.
> morn.). Then no more that day.  The first time this cramping took place
> was at the end of a slow-moderate ride. About an hour after the finish,
> 2 years ago.  The next time was at a ride when he got a minimum of
> electrolytes, and he got treated for dehydration at the lunch stop. He
> had sweated alot at that ride, and drank from a questionable water
> source not too soon before.  The next time he did this was at 3/4
> through the ride, he had a hard time coming down, didn't continue, and
> cramped up about 1/2 hour after he ate and drank some. That ride he also
> sweated profusely, and was very excited, me trying to hold him back, and
> making it worse for him, by getting him very aggitated at all the horses
> that left him behind.  I'm beginning to think maybe this horse has an
> internal problem we haven't found out about yet, and the stress of
> endurance is taking it's toll.  This has never happened on a training
> ride, altho I haven't done extreme training rides. Last year his first
> ride was a pull(the rehydrating one), he completed the next one fine. (A
> local ride).  Then another pull (not local ride).  Then finished the
> last ride of '99 fine. (another local ride).  This most recent ride last
> weekend, I thought I would do the beet pulp thing religiously to get
> fiber and moisture in his gut. I don't feed him any grain because he is
> too amped already. He is in a grass pasture, has been getting 1 flake of
> alfalfa once a day, however beginning Mon. before this last ride, I only
> feed him some supplemental "import" grass hay, since I've heard alfalfa
> can be hard to process when under stress.  He's not at all thin, I'd say
> about right.  At this last ride I had the opportunity to do a weigh in
> before and after the ride.  He lost 60 lbs.  
>      I would love any input on this horse. He's 11 yrs., and this is his
> 4th year. The first year was 25's, and one 50 in the fall. He's
> completed 7 rides, and been pulled from 4.  I'm thinking about taking  
> him to Davis Vet School for a complete evaluation.
>   Thanks for your time.   
> 
>   Berit Meyer
> 
> 
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