Gayle Ecker, who has been studing electrolyte loss in endurance horses
since the late 80's and probably has looked at over 5000 endurance
horse's blood told me one time that even in training horses can loose
significant electrolytes and they don't acclimate to that loss - that
is they don't get better at not losing them.
Her studies also pointed out that in most cases the biggest lost
(percentage loss) is in the first 20 miles. A lot depends on where you
are riding - but even in the dry climates you are losing salts. It is
very obvious in a dry climate if you are riding a bay or black horse -
you can see calked up around the base of their ears, on their face,
etc. You can also taste it by licking your fingers, rubbing ther neck
and then licking you fingers again. If you taste salt they have lost
electrolytes - the saltier the more loss.
My horses have access to free choice salt 24/7/365.25. If they get a
hard workout in hot weather they get some balanced electrolyte mix in
thier feed. At a ride they get a dose every hour - no matter the
distance.
The next time you are at an endurance ride - pick the head vets brain
about this. They will be able to give you the best advice based on
where you are and their experience.
Truman
Ridecamp Guest wrote:
Please Reply to: Tami home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Thanks for all your input. I wasn't planning on e-lyte replacement for 25 milers. I was trying to prepare for longer rides. From what everyone is saying I think unless there is a problem, I should leave it alone and concentrate on conditioning. What about foam, I have heard that is the electrolytes coming out?? Joe, I would love to do a 100 or a multi-dayer but I am not so lucky to have that kind of time or money yet. Soon I hope, soon...
Tami
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REAL endurance is reading the LD vs. Endurance thread/debate every 3
months!!!
~ Heidi Sowards
ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/
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-- We imitate our masters only because we are not yet masters
ourselves,
and only
We
imitate our masters
only because we are not yet masters ourselves, and only
because
in doing so we
learn the truth about what cannot be imitated.
