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Re: [RC] thumps - rides2far@xxxxxxxxJ>>>ust had to pull my half Arab half saddlebred at Cuyama on Saturday because he had a bad case of thumps. I know all the stories about Alfalfa etc. It's so weird because he has great gut sounds and is well >>>hydrated. Thanks for any ideas If he's well hydrated but low on electrolytes that extra hydration is just watering down what he *has* got. Thumps is caused by the body being alkaline...makes the phrenic nerve over the heart hypersensitive so it fires every time the heart beats jerking the flank. I think of it like a dash light going off...it's a warning that things are not right. I had one pull for thumps when I made the mistake of using some non-endurance electrolytes. Those are made for a horse that is acidic to make it more alkaline...which means I was giving a horse that was alkaline something that would make him more alkaline...trying to put out a fire with gasoline! You didn't say what you have tried so I'm going to just say the basics. If I were you I'd check my electrolytes, then I'd give them. Here in the SE I give the night before, morning before, and every vet check at the least, every hour at the most. I'd give pretty much no alfalfa at home (maybe a bite to keep the gut accustomed) and free choice alfalfa during the ride. I make my own electrolytes, 2 parts salt, 2 parts lite salt and one part crushed Tums. One dose = one 35mm film canister. Angie --- Begin Message ---
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