My horse Shiraz and I just completed the 50/55 of Wild West I and Wild
West III in the Sierras.So we rode
a 50, days rest and then a 55. At home, my Arab gelding only has a 20 X 200
paddock with no turnout.For this
reason I don’t feed grain to my him until after he has worked (don’t want him
to tie up) . . . when he doesn’t work hard, he just on grass hay, beet pulp mash
and vitamins.My question is that
of the two days of the ride, I felt that he did a lot better the second ride .
. that was after two days of consistent whole oats added to his mash.He was still calm but had a lot of more
get up and go and more concentration.In two weeks, we have another 50 coming up.For the next two weeks, he will be on vacation but getting regular
leg stretcher walks.I would like
him to have the enthusiasm and forwardness that the nutrition from the grain
gave but am hesitant to give it before the ride because of possible tying up.What do others do?Please and Thank you.
