FW: when to give electrolytes

["Beckstrom, Carolyn" <Carolyn.Beckstrom@standardregister.com>]

Hi,
I just completed my 3rd 25 mile CTR last weekend and have a question
concerning electrolytes that I'm sure you very knowledgeable people can
answer.  The ride had some long steep up and downs, it was a humid day and
my horse did great for about 20 miles.  At the 16 mile vet check the vet
said he looked wonderful.  But he hadn't drank at all yet.  I gave him a
syringe of "lytes-now" hoping that would make him thirsty.  Didn't work, and
then at about 20 miles he just crashed.  He wanted to stop and was breathing
about 120 breaths/min.  I let him walk for about ½ hour to the next water
stop where he STILL didn't drink but I sponged him off and he seemed to
recover quickly.  he got his energy back and we trotted to the end. (he did
drink then) he finished with a pulse of 50 and resp of 10.  Do you think the
electrolytes without water caused this? Or was he just overheated and
fatigued?  Should you give electrolytes when your horse doesn't drink or
wait till he does then give them?  thanks for your help and advise!

Carolyn & Gem (I HATE that salty stuff!)


Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-Ý-