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This is a post from the Equi ade manufacturer. Heidi and Susan, please evaluate her formula and let me know if this 6.5% is too much for our sport.

 

Thanks,

Susan

-----Original Message-----
From: LIGHTENINGW@xxxxxxx [mailto:LIGHTENINGW@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 4:23 PM
To: milamj@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: sodium bicarb in Equi ade

Hi Susan- I understand your concerns about 
sodium bicarbonate for Endurance Horses.  And this issue really is under 
debate, as it is the amount of sodium bicarb that is probably what is more 
important.  In high levels it could be bad for horses after they have 
exercised (actually sweated) to an extreme amount.  But in a small 
percentage sodium bicarb is found to be more beneficial than harmful.  Here 
is why:  Muscles get their enegy and blood supply from cells.  These 
cells help maintain a normal acid/alkaline balance in the horses metabolic 
system, which helps the horse perform to it's best capabilities without 
suffering from metabolic stress.  When a horse (or human) overexerts their 
muscles through exercise the muscles can end up with an overload of lactic acid 
(or acidosis)  which causes muscle soreness and can lead to tying up.  
The reason sodium bicarbonate is in Equi-ade, (and some other electrolytes), is 
that sodium bicarb is an alkaline based product which therefore helps balance 
out the overabundance of lactic acid in the cells, which then promotes normal 
cell function to the muscles, in working horses or people. But, there are some 
camps who beleive sodium bicarb is not a good thing in electrolytes because 
horses that sweat in great excess (like endurance horses) can then suffer from 
alkalosis, and suffer metabolically.   So if a horse is in alkalosis 
then you would not want to add any more alkaline products to the horses 
system.  You may know all or some of this, but thought I would go over that 
with you.  Before I developed Equi-ade, I researched these types of issues 
and checked with both the veterinarians at Texas A&M University, (they 
actually gave me the base formula for an electrolyte for working horses), and 
Shelly Bridges-top Endurance rider and trainer, she has ridden on a few Pan Am 
teams, and they both agreed that sodium bicarb in a small percentage was much 
more beneficial to working horses than harmful. (This is how I formulated my 
percentages for Equi-ade, which is 6.5%).  I have been using Equi-ade on my 
own horses (as guinea pigs!) here in Texas for a year now, with very good 
results.  Although I train dressage horses, I can promise you that here in 
theTexas summers, they really have tough workouts and sweat in great 
amounts.  What you would want to avoid in a very hot sweaty horse is large 
amounts of sodium bicarb, like the type that might be in a paste?  (I would 
have to compare the percentages to know that for sure.)  I had another 
endurance rider ask this same question a few weeks ago.  I told her  
what I told you but suggested she should consult with her own veterinarian on 
the matter, as I think each horse owner should decide what they think is best 
for them.  I did ship out the three Equi-ade containers to you today, so If 
you want, you can keep these if you feel comfortable with this.  If you 
decide you do not want to use the Equi-ade with the sodium bicarb, just e mail 
me and let me know.  I can make you up Equi-ade bicarb free!  If you 
would send back the other box I will send you three more that are bicarb free 
and reimburse your shipping from the other box.  Hopes this help answer 
your questions.  
Take care- sincerely-Jennifer Weems /Hot Pony 
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