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Re: [RC] Weight loss during a ride - heidiWhat is considered an average weight loss for your horse during a ride? Prior to the start of the Old Dominion 100 in 2000 we had the opportunity to weigh in. At the finish of the 100 my 940 lb. gelding with many miles and numerous 100's, had lost 44 lbs. and the 860 lb. gelding, finishing his 1st 100, had lost 60 lbs. Vet students were monitoring the horses through the ride by drawing blood samples at every check. Both horses were metabolically stable throughout but the smaller horse with the greater weight loss presented with levels showing slightly more stress than the experienced gelding. Totally understandable. What is an expectable weight loss? Considering the amount of forage and water that SHOULD be in the hindgut prior to the start of a ride, this isn't an out-of-line weight loss, providing the horses DO have a good fill pre-ride. But I agree--the smaller horse losing that much is getting on the edge of concern. Just curious--did they also weigh them again the next morning after they had eaten well overnight and rehydrated? The few times I've been in situations where the horses could be weighed before, during, and after, my horse had lost no more than 40 lbs and have recouped most of it by the next morning. (I've only been able to have one of my horses in weight studies--but he was in two of them. Keep in mind this is the horse who WILL consume 40 lbs of hay in the 24 hours pre-ride.) I remember the year that Aurber Lights won Tevis, there were weight studies there (can't remember if that was Susan G's study or not)--he is a small horse, and had lost 40 but had regained 20 after an opportunity to refill. I was a bit boggled by horses who lost 80 lbs though... Heidi ============================================================ I don't think you have to join a gym or buy frilly outfits to get some fitness. A decent set of shoes and a 15 minute dismount here and there will help. ~ Jon K. Linderman, Ph.D., FACSM, Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Science, University of Dayton ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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