Re: RC: Re: re; Glucosamine discussion

["Heather Hamper" <hnhamper@hotmail.com>]

Hi Carolyn

I haven't been following this thread too closely so I'm probably wide of the 
mark but I don't think the humans and Advil analogy is correct.

When I take anti-inflammatories half way through a 100-miler I do so knowing 
that I have a problem (in my case lack of serious level of physical fitness) 
which I'm then going to 'hide' with anti-inflammatories and that there will 
be a pay-off - like I'll be really sore the day after the ride.  Thats my 
own decision.

Horses can't make their own decisions, we 'make' their decisions for them.  
I'm not sure how we really know whether they're 'up for it' anyway.  I think 
mostly horses do the things we want them to do because they're generous and 
forgiving or because we harness some of their natural instincts.  Given a 
true natural state they almost certainly wouldn't do many of these things

So I have guess we have to find a happy medium whilst we're asking them to 
do these bizarre things (tongue firmly in cheek!) we do within them.  If 
there is a supplement we can give them which will enable them to do the job 
more easily then thats fine.  I guess most neutraceuticals would fit into 
this slot where bute and so-on wouldn't.

Heather Hamper
UK

>From: "Carolyn Burgess" <carolyn_burgess@hotmail.com>
>To: <bgloverhrsewmn@hotmail.com>, "Ridecamp List" <ridecamp@endurance.net>
>Subject: RC:  Re: re; Glucosamine discussion
>Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 21:38:00 -0500
>
>When talking about these types of supplements, and saying should we be 
>competing these horses if they need these kinds of supplements, how many of 
>us start our day of riding by taking 2 Advil?  Now, why don't we apply 
>these same standards to ourselves, and not compete because we are not 
>physically in the condition to perform?  Because these medications are 
>available to make us have fun even though our bodies aren't quite up to it. 
>  And the same applies to our animals.  If they are up for it, and want to 
>do it, what is wrong with making them more comfortable so they can perform 
>like they want to.  And many of us have animals who want to work, but they 
>just need a little help to be able to work more comfortably.
>
>Carolyn Burgess
>carolyn_burgess@hotmail.com
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: beth glover
>Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2001 8:00 PM
>To: ridecamp@endurance.net
>Subject: RC: re; Glucosamine discussion
>
>
>I agree with Sandy.  I am thinking about what my 12 year old mare is going 
>to be like when she retires.  I feed a vitamin and "flexion" supplement as 
>part of the diet, hoping that it will help maintain her health and comfort 
>long after she stops going on rides.  Maybe it won't help, but I feel I'm 
>asking a lot, so I should at least try. In a similar way, I worm her 
>regularly to prevent long term health complications.  I don't consider this 
>an attempt to outperform anyone on any particular ride.   (I also take 
>Calcium, and glucosamine, hoping that I'll have strong bones, and useable 
>joints when I'm in my Senior years, and maybe I'll be outriding some of my 
>competition!) Beth
>
>
>
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