Re: RC: Re: Horses requiring vet care at Tevis

[DVeritas@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/22/00 12:36:56 AM Mountain Daylight Time, 
superpat@gateway.net writes:

<<  I would *guess* that a good percentage of
 the horses who required IV fluid therapy would be horses without proven
 endurance experience. >>

Not the case.  The horses I noted were, for the most part,  "endurance" 
horses...some having done Tevis several times.
    As Joan stated, the manner in which some DVM's approach horses in 
metabolic stress is fluid (no pun intended) in nature.  Their concern is for 
the horse and how it will come out of the situation, not in appearances.  The 
remote nature of some rides and the availability of horse ambulances and 
distances to vet hospitals have to factor into whether to IV a horse or 
not...with erring on the safe side the prudent move.
    I didn't like the appearance of the IV Bags at the vet checks either, but 
prefer that to a horse in trouble unable to get rehydrated when a vet could 
provide it.
    I've never needed a horse IV'd at an endurance race, but should I,  I'd 
hope it was available.
    The "stigma" of providing an IV bag to horse should never outweigh taking 
care of the horse at the vet check, if possible.
     JMHO.

      Frank.