Ridecamp: Re: [RC] How do you know? (long)

Penny,

If it's any consolation to you, everyone in that ride was getting lower
marks on gut sounds.  My God, it was over 120 degrees in my tent and wasn't
much cooler at either the vet check or the finish line...  I kept hearing
the vets say to push electrolytes and extra calcium.  The later in the day
it got, the slower the gut on everyhorse I scribed on.  There was also more
delay in the horses pulsing down, according to Billy.  I also heard several
people remark that yesterday was the latest they'd ever been to a ride there
(the way the wind was blowing, I'd hate to do a ride there in the winter --
nothing between you and the north pole!!!).  Anyway, I was considering
driving back up there this next weekend for a trailride, but considering the
lamenesses and slow metabolic recoveries, I think I'll pass on that.  I'm
going to recommend electrolytes to those still planning to go though.  I'd
like to ride there sometime, just not in "Texas summer".

Milinda Ellis
Jewett, Texas
----- Original Message -----
From: "sharp penny" <penelope_75647@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 3:10 PM
Subject: [RC] How do you know? (long)


>   Just got back from our second 50 :) It was hot and humid
> but we did manage to complete! Completion was our only goal
> and several times I wondered if we would reach this goal.
>
>   Our first 50 was a flat land type ride, rather easy and
> the weather cool with a slight mist in the air the first 2
> loops. We finished with all A's at each vet check and I had
> a lot of horse left after the ride.
>
>   This ride was a rude awakening and I would like some
> input on how y'all would have managed this horse to get
> better results as far as gut sounds.
>
>   Since our first ride went so well I managed our second
> ride exactly the same:
>
>    Started adding e-lytes to his beet pulp/grain mix that
> he gets every day on wed. evening.
>
>    Thursday I gave him several mini meals of very wet beet
> pulp,handful of grain and elytes. Free choice grass hay and
> some wet alfalfa.
>
>    Friday before leaving he had bp/grain/elytes. Dosed him
> with lytenow before loading him in trailer, dosed lytenow
> again when we got there and then later that evening. Gave
> mini meals of bp/grain/elytes. There was a lot of nice
> green grass so hand grazed for an hour on Friday evening.
> He also has free choice grass hay and wet alfalfa. He
> vetted in with all A's.
>
>    Saturday: fed very wet bp/grain/lytes which he cleaned
> up. Then hand grazed again for half hour before starting
> the ride.
>
>    First loop I just let him run with mid pack. He will not
> drink  on the first loop and in training rides won't drink
> til 15-20 miles out. First vet check all A's except gut
> which is a B. He eats his bp/grain/lyte soup, won't drink
> any water yet (I'm a little worried now) and nibbles on
> some alfalfa. I give him 25cc of lytenow just before
> heading out on 2nd loop.
>
>     Still won't drink on second loop (now very concerned).
> Every time I stop to sponge him he fidgets around anxious
> to get going. Rode with  two different groups at mid to
> back of pack. He very happy and alert. 2nd vet check again
> all A's but gut sounds now down to B- (aarrrrgh). I hold
> him an extra 10 mins during which he eat his bp soup but
> still won't touch any water. Dose him with another 25cc
> lytenow before heading out.
>
>    Third loop he starts drinking at every water spot
> (whew!)I try to get him to eat some grass along the trail
> but just picks at it. Toward the end of the third loop he
> hits his "wall" and pokes along 'til a groups comes by then
> he perks up and is happily motoring along following them.
> 3rd vet check again all A's but gut sounds are a C (now a
> bit worried). During the hold he is finally drinking and
> finishes off another mini meal of beet pulp soup with
> lytes. Time to get ready to head out but he is still eating
> so I decide to wait another 15 mins to let him tank up.
> Check his gut sounds they are faintly gurgling, he is happy
> and very alert. Dose again with the lytenow, saddle up,
> walk to the water tank and he sucks down water while I
> drench his neck and shoulders.
>
>     Final loop he sucks down water at every possible place
> and eagerly eats grass. We do a very slow last 10 miles
> with lots of stopping for water and grass. He acts very
> tired but will trot if I insist. Very unusual as I have
> never had to push him before. We finish toward the end and
> he is still alert and happy but very tired and I don't feel
> like I have much if any horse left. Gut sounds are stronger
> sounding then when we left camp for that last loop.
>
>    Back from ride and he is his usual self, ran and bucked
> when I turned him out and I have noticed him at the water
> tank several times in the last 2 hours.
>
>   Okay now what can I do differently to keep those gut
> sounds at an A or A-?  Also can I ever expect to top ten
> with this horse? I realize that it takes 2 years to put a
> base on a horse and I am very happy with just completing.
> I am concerned that his not drinking for the first loop and
> a half may hinder him from ever being competitive. Will
> time and rides change this or are there some things I can
> do to get him to drink sooner?
>
>   I have become addicted to this sport and even though now
> I'm happy and thrilled to just finish, some day I want to
> think we can be competitive and top ten. I also want to
> move up to 100's one day and am wondering if Reno will ever
> be able to do this? Reno is pretty young (8yrs)so if he has
> the talent I have plenty of time to get him ready. I just
> wonder how you can tell if a horse has what it takes to
> eventually do 100's???
>
>  Thanks again y'all!
>
> Penny & Reno ( now with 125 AERC miles :) whoo hoo!!)
>
>
>
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 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
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