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A lot of Arabs have thin skin that stands up longer than what the test
description says is proper hydration. My horse, Ben Amil, is one of
those. Most experienced ride vets know that it varies somewhat with
the individual horse. I just point it out to the vet when he/she does
the vet-in exam and they note it on the card. The important thing is any
change in the test outcome from vet check to vet check. Equally
important to skin-tenting are the cap refill, mucous membrane color, and
jugular tests and those support the fact that he really is ok. Most vets
are happy to have any additional info that you can give them to help you
with your horse. Look to them as an ally rather than someone who is out
to get you by pulling your horse or denying you BC! If your horse
otherwise looks ok and it appears that you are riding sanely then you
will be allowed to continue even if he looks a little dehydrated at a
check. Many horses also will not drink until they have gone 20 miles or
so. That makes them be a bit dehydrated at the first exam. Then, when
they start drinking they begin to improve at the following vet checks.
So, a horse can even look better at the completion exam than he did at an
earlier vet check.
Anyway, the slow skin-tenting has never been a problem when we stood for
BC the several times we have been there...
Good Luck on your first ride!
Dave Bennett & Ben Amil
Chickamauga, Georgia
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