Re: RC: Nutrition question

["Susan Evans Garlinghouse" <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

>When should we stop the corn oil, or should we?

Day before.


>And at the vet check (halfway one anyway,) is there
>anything in particular we should be giving to boost energy
>reserves/blood sugar levels? Beet pulp? Anything else you
>would recommend? Or just hay and water? How about
>electrolytes? I am going to make the electrolyte cookies.

IMO, because you are early in this horse's career, focus on gut motility and
hydration first.  First priority, water (obviously), second priority hay
and/or beet pulp for gut motility.  Make sure the horse tanks up on plenty
of hay and beet pulp for several days before the ride so he has a full load
on board.  You can feed a little grain at vet checks, but keep the portions
small or you'll mess with insulin rebound.  A little grain the night before
is okay as well, but no grain after midnight, just plenty of hay and beet
pulp.  You can play with rocket fuel later, for now just focus on keeping
integrity of the whole together, and finishing with all A's.  Electrolyte
cookies are fine, consider a syringe of e'lytes the night before.  Remember
this is a learning experience for you until you figure out what really works
for this horse, so pay attention, take it easy, have fun.

Susan Garlinghouse





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