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Re: [RC] Longevity and PAC - EventXCOther suggestions of approaches that have kept several of my patients and their owners going and going in endurance and CT. One: no one ever lets pressure for competition override their concern for their horse. The temptation can be there and we are all human, but I have no problems with gently lecturing if I see it happening. Two: voodoo medicine is now considered more and more conventional. By that I mean acupuncture, chiropractic, herbs and homeopathy. Incorporation of any of these modalities in a regular training and health program is no longer considered strange and is very beneficial. Three: nutritional research keeps improving and proving those of us right when, for years, we have been recommending probiotics, antioxidants and trace minerals (to name a few) to assist in performance. Also those things don't work overnight and need to be seen to weeks and months before competition and training. Four: being aware that subtle things are important; therefore, teeth are done regularly by someone trained in performance dentistry, and body imbalance issues are dealt with rapidly before a domino effect of compensation occurs. IOW, I do acupuncture and chiropractic on a regular basis on many of my endurance patients to maintain symmetry and to address minor issues quickly. BTW, I was also at PAC and I disagree with the assertion that many top riders were riding their horses on the edge. I would hope that as a veterinarian experienced in sports medicine as well as a competitor myself (eventing), I would be considered a trained observer by most of you posting here. I had plenty of time to watch other camps as well as our own (Mountain) while waiting for my rider (I was crewing), and horses were well cared for and concerns over health were addressed quickly and with utmost professionalism on the part of the riders. The vet staff was strict on criteria and health assessments and made appropriate judgments. They don't have crystal balls, but as far as I can tell, if a veterinarian had any concerns at all, it was addressed promptly. Kim Henneman, DVM Park City UT USA =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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