Re: Drinking During Ride

[carl meyer <carlmey@citrus.infi.net>]

Lori & Roger Sumrall wrote:
    So is 25 miles of not drinking pretty standard or pretty bad news? 
What's
> one to do?
> 
> Thanks, Lori


FRET!!! Seriously, I have one that doesn't drink for nearly 30 miles..
I do my darndest to have him well hydrated going into the ride...we do
electrolyte and offer him water, wet him, feed him sloppy gooy gush,
etc.; one of the keys, I believe, is that H2o is AVAILABLE..in the form
of trail water or however, then when he's ready, he  starts drinking
very well. He's the same darned way when we're training...and I mean in
some incredible weather...you know the old saying. So, when I get back
from almost any kind of a ride, I always feed a sloppy, gooy "snack"
just as I would at a ride..this is expected and has formed a nice habit.
I'm going to try to offer electrolytes in H2o also, per a recent sugges-
tion, but won't force him too much...he's a bird that's pretty set..and
he does o.k....I didn't raise or train him...he's quite "racey" ..then
after 30 miles, he relaxes, I guess and settles in for the long haul.
I watch him very closely and monitor his every attitude..I took his pro-
gram over two years ago...he's a challenge..and wonderful.

Deena Meyer
Inverness, Fl. (with TF American Express "drink? not right now, thanks")