I completely agreed with all your statements Joe. I just get uncomfortable when there's suddenly a bunch of people saying "I compete without them and they cause ulcers". Makes me worry that a bunch of people in hot humid climates will throw down their syringes and think it was all just a big mistake.
I also agree with Joe's statement. The ulcer/electrolyte discussion started not because a bunch of people said they weren't using electrolytes and they cause ulcers, but started because some of us were trying to get more details on the ulcer/electrolyte connection that was discussed in talks by the vet panel at the AERC convention and was also a topic at the USEF WEC squad training session in AZ. I guess this/these studies that were discussed at the above talks as well as the article in Equus (which I still haven't read) seem to indicate that there is a correlation between the use of E lytes and ulcers. I would say that the percentage of electrolyte use in our sport is pretty high and if there was/is a connection to ulcers, it would be beneficial to all of us to learn as much as we can about carriers, buffers, probiotics, and how they effect or relate to electrolyte use in our horses. As I mentioned before, as far as electrolytes go it seems that now we not only have to be concerned with metabolic issues cause by too much or too little electrolyte use but also ulcers.
I also look forward to any information coming out of France/Belgium. I am well aware that some individual horses can perform at the highest and most stressful levels of this sport without supplementation but a blanket policy of no electrolytes for an entire team is quite intriguing, especially with the performance record of the team.
I am really glad that Joe posted a synopsis of e lyte use that just about everybody can agree with regardless of what region you ride in or how you ride or how far you ride. I am curious if there is any information that was learned or used by US (Canadian) individuals or teams that competed at the WEC, last Pan Ams, or the NAC? I am curious as I assume that electrolyte use may (notice I say may not does) become more necessary as a horse is ridden faster or ridden under more stressful conditions. Also, it would seem to me that perhaps blood work data/stats might be available from these events or from individuals that competed at these events. Also, curious if electrolyte use changes per individual horse depending on how hard/fast a rider is planning on riding.
