RE: [SPAM] [RC] What Weight of Electrolytes? - heidiI have seen a recomendation by Ridgeway and Merlin that for a 100 mile ride traveling at about 11mph the horse will require about 2lbs (1kg) of electrolytes. I've also done the maths myself based on reported sweat volumes and electrolyte concentrations in sweat - sure enough it seems right. But it sounds like a large amount to me. Yea, it is a HUGE amount. A horse will replace much of what he loses in food, if he is a good eater. In addition to calculating the projected losses in sweat, you also need to calculate what your horse is aprt to eat during that time. Many horses eat so much more on a ride that they will adequately replace their e-lyte loss in food. Some others need a bit more help, but NOWHERE near what their sweat losses are. I personally think that we have a tendency to go so far overboard administering electrolytes that we are causing other problems. I don't e-lyte any of my horses unless they reach a point that they tell me they are in need of some--by wanting to lick salt blocks back at the trailer, etc. I've ridden several horses that I have not e-lyted at all, and that showed no interest in e-lytes, even when ridden quite competitively. I realize that this does not work for all horses, but I firmly believe that we need to be thinking of replacing small increments, not the massive doses that many horses are receiving. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|