Biltmore syndrome darolyn's take

[Darolyn Butler <darolyn@swbell.net>]

BILTMORE:  As I watched my 3 100 mile horses graze around the Sunday after
the Biltmore ride I noticed they would head right for the clover that grows
abundantly, (but in patches) among the wonderful Biltmore grass.  I also
noticed when I expanded my electric fence corral on sunday (after others had
left), the horses also headed right for the clover & pigged out on it until
it was gone, then went back to the other grass.  15 years ago I lost a
little mustange horse in the Race Of Champions in Colorado.  We were running
back in the teens to twentys, not screaming fast, he made it thru the 1st
VC, but I noticed when he pooped he only had one or two little balls come
out, then he started going down on trail before we made the 2nd VC.  I was
barely able to get him in to the V C #2.  It took 6 hrs to stablelize him
enuf 2 get him off the mt.  Did a stomach tap in camp & they sent me on to
major vet clinic.  There it showed he had twisted/ruptured & we elected to
put him down... autopsy showed gut shut down and enough was dead that
indicated he was possibly in this state before the race even started.

Why????  Early (in his life) worm infestation damage?, possibly...
overriding??? don't think so, not a bad pace & early n ride, then I read an
article about what clover does to bovine & equine guts... creates lots of
gas.... hmmm.  The race site was thick with clover... & after they horses
ate all the clover in their first pen, we moved it to a fresh location the
nite before the ride started and he had even more fresh clover, plus an
increase in feeding that I usually give the night before.

Good riders and owners commonly come in early to a major race like this,
good riders lead their horses around for exercise & grazing the day or two
before.  A good owner will probably try to set up his pen where it is lush &
grassy.  What if..... these very specially taken care of horses (at
Biltmore... but could happen anywhere-there is a lot of clover available),
got just enough clover in them to cause a metabolic problem with this
increase of (is it Nitrogen vets?... what does cause this problem?... been
too many years since I read the article).  Could this be the "Biltmore
Cramp"?

I had three seasoned horses start the ride,  rode 1st loop together, vetted
almost the same, 2nd loop Razzmatazz fell back a bit, but still strong,
Albanet & Eldans Alad still equal in energy & pace, 3rd Loop Razz seemed to
hit the wall, very uncomfortable, (he may have had access to more clover
than the rest), he stopped eating, we let him rest for an hour or so & his
attitude picked up, finally started eating, & he went out & finished the
race very carefully and slowly-31st place, 4th loop Eldans Alad started
feeling a little blue.... he had the next most access to clover (in the
pens), they slowed down a bit, then he recovered & finished in 16th place...
now Albanet, who had less access to any clover ran pretty strong all day,
(6th place).   I personally feel that (meaning no scientific data to back it
up), the amount of clover they ate would not have affected them without the
stress of the competition.  But couple that little change with the stress &
you start getting problems that you might not otherwise.  Question for all
of those horses that experienced this weird cramping..... Did your horse
have access to the clover in his temporary corral... did U lead him around
thurs. & Friday & let him graze in clover patches....?  See how scientific
I'm getting?  Its a survey/study.   I just wish I had done bloodwork on the
three of them.   What do you think Roger & Vets????
djbd

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----- Original Message -----
From: Roger Rittenhouse-vmaxept <roger@vmaxept.com>
To: RideCamp <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 2:31 AM
Subject: RC: Biltmore Post Race Analysis OMNI


> BILTMORE- Metabolic DNF- OMNI
> Today I was suppose to be at the SETC in Clemson Univ. However, after
> getting home late Sunday (9pm), I thought it was best to stay home and
> observe OMNI for any complications.
> After my initial post, I made a detailed list of notes and ideas, also
> had a good session with Carol about what went on from the time I left
> until Race day. She said I told her  I was going slow, so she did not
> need to come  and crew- guess I lied, a crew would not have helped
> anyway - and really did plan on doing it fast-- as in about 8-9 mph or 6
> hrs ride time. I never tell anyone my plan before a race.
>
> A RECAP- After 38 miles - loop 2 Omni clears VC 2 and starts a mild
> colic. Lack of response to preliminary treatment, 2 dose Banamine and
> about 4 gal water/lytes by tube, did not correct the problem. Suspecting
> a full gut shutdown he was placed on IV fluid and Ca. Came out of it in
> good shape after  30 liters.
> METABOLIC
> VC 1 all A except gut B- no cri - ate well and drank -from trough and
> buckets with local water. Ate back at trailer
> VC 2 all A except gut - B- cri 52/52 showed pre colic response and did
> not drink or eat.
>
>  BLOOD WORK
> Sure was glad this machine was brought in by Dr Mike Foss. We may think
> about finding out how we can fund one for the SE rides. It would REALLY
> show some great information.
> Glu 138   Bun 15    Na 141    Tco2 41     Augap 8     Hem 37    Nbt 13
> Pc02 53.8   Hc03 39   Beocf 16-- these were reported to be all ok. I am
> not sure what they all mean. The parms that were out of spec;
> pH 7.471 - very slight alcholdohysis- (spelling )  but you would expect
> this since most endurance horses have low pH at the end of a race.
> Cl 96 - norm 100-110
> K 2.6 - norm 3.3-5.5  for this machine
> Glucose was high because the K was low. One of vets can explain this
>
> Potassium and Chloride losses = electrolyte problems.
>
> PRE-RACE PROTOCOL - went over this before- small doses of electrolyte
> before travel and after arrival on Thursday. One oz. Gave total of 4 oz
> on Thursday, along with 30 cc Pro-botics liquid each time.
> FRI same  - small doses through the day - Total 5 oz
> Pre-race 2 oz 1/2 hr before start.
> I have used this protocol at the last 3 rides.
>
> FEEDING. He was alone at this race. He gets 'worried' and does not eat
> or drink well. I felt the small does of electrolytes through the day
> would get him to drink more. I bring my own water. I feed small feedings
> of his normal feed during the day - no oil or fat (rice bran) was added.
> Beetplup water and the mix. Added VitE/SE at normal levels. No Carbo
> supplement. Hay was alfalfa and the Dengie Hi-Fi. Not feed at home in
> large quantities. Same as was done at the previous rides. At Million
> Pines he ate very well, had his buddy, never really quit eating, I fed
> him with a nose bag to keep the other horse from getting his ration. He
> ate hay all the time. So this was quite different. I believe is started
> on a 1/2 full tank.
> He did drink some amounts of the local water- City water with chlorine
> and ? He ate lots of grass, a better grass then he has at home
>
> ISSUE 1- Lack of eating caused the gut to be empty- less then was
> required to keep it full. Rectal exam showed it was empty.
> ISSUE 2- What caused the K to be so low. Could it be bound somehow? MOST
> of the metabolic pulls were all  low in K.
>
> Almost no one used the same method of electrolyte protocol. We all fed
> different products and various amounts.
> OMNI drank a fair amount of water from the troughs around camp on both
> days.
>  Last year at the Fall Biltmore  - we did not use any 'local' water for
> drinking.
> Nor was there this much rich grass. We did NOT see the pulls in the fall
> either.
>
> ISSUE - COULD the water or the grass set up a situation to create a
> problem. How many riders did or did not use the local water or let them
> chow down on the great grass. I don't recall I let our horses drink that
> much 'local' water at other Biltmore rides. I wonder if a tank of 'wild'
> water for drinking may be better.
>
> WEATHER- I have been to hot rides this spring, under winter coats. Both
> of the first rides were very warm for Feb and March. The last ride was
> not real warm but we went fast. I condition in the mid day and go fast.
> I really do not want to use the weather for  a reason, it just did not
> seem all that bad for the first 2 loops.
> ISSUE - Horses are all in the hot sun with very little shade. Omni was
> in the sun all  day. Maybe should put a tent or shade next year.
>
> SPEED- Could have slowed down. HR was of course higher then previous
> races, but not out of acceptable limits. He never went anaerobic. Close,
> but I kept him under 175. He was working at aggressive levels around 145
> to 165. NOT out of range for him for the  speed and effort or his
> condition. I base this on the fact he recovered within minutes of
> arrival, even when he was starting to colic, he showed no signs of over
> use. He did not pee blood, had no muscle cramps or tie-up. Would be nice
> to had muscle enzymes. His working HR levels on loop2 were acceptable
> and lower. His trot at the 10 mph pace was about 145 to 150 with canter
> HR drops to 130. Slow down to easy trot - HR dropped to 110-125. Walk
> under 90 within less then a minute. I estimate his anaerobic threshold
> to be about 180, Based on 80% of his max HR of 220. Our conditioning
> program has progressed to miles of hard trots and canters and short
> gallops. I find I have to push more on the same roads and trail to keep
> the HR up to a good working level. I cannot fully discount speed as the
> cause but I doubt it was the major issue. We could have slowed down -
> and may still had the problem- like out on the trail.
> 'Going to fast'  is relative- right, you don't know where that is until
> you pass that point. He never asked to quit- I never asked him to move
> out. I was actually holding him in for the whole 38 miles.
> He did not have the classic  Exhaustive horse syndrome. Therefore I do
> not consider he was 'over-ridden'
>
> ON TRAIL ISSUES
> He drank well on trail- there were times he wanted water but the crowds
> were too much for him, and he stopped. Some riders can't wait their turn
> at water, so we moved on to other sources. I felt he was drinking ok.
> Ate grass on loop 2  going up the Mtn, I hand pulled as much as I could-
> on foot- and he ate all  I fed him - as well as taking some on his own.
> Electrolytes, for on trail I use LYTE and NOW paste. I have been using
> this for years. I believe this is about the best pre-mixed product there
> is. It does seem to work.
> ISSUE - I only gave 1/2 a normal dose on each loop - one time.. that was
> too little.
> Drank about a gallon or more of water from trough just before VC2- it
> was not cold.
>
> ELECTROLYTES - we try to put all the blame on this - Gave too much or
> not enough or not often enough.  Used a product that was unbalance made
> from 'rocks', used one that was harsh and caused mouth burns- then he
> wont drink or eat. Messed with the pH balance of the guts. And on and
> on. We had enough 'west ' riders and a vet-  to know we have to give
> larger then normal doses of electrolyte then other areas and I sure
> don't want to hear - 'I should not use any' - my horse would be dead I
> bet. The problem is - they all require something and in unknown amounts.
> How do I know the pre- mixed commercial product I use is correct for my
> horse under the conditions of the competition. Like if I added LITE salt
> would my K levels be higher? The muscle contractions in the guts shut
> down because of the loss of K. SO what happened first, was he low in K
> before the race - did he NOT keep the GI track full because he was
> stressed? or in some other imbalance..   then the situation just
> snowballs.. no eat no drink - get empty - gut get  unbalanced
> electrolytes.  Blood test BEFORE the race would be great. I sure would
> like to get him tested at he next one, would be very helpful with a
> horse that had a problem before.
> IF a horse sweats water and electrolytes as we are told, they loose the
> ions all together, he can't sweat out Ca or Na and keep K, right - no
> selective process here, so where did the K go with all these horses?
> Gave 2 oz at VC 1, should have given more?
>
> PROBOTICS- Can too much cause a problem? I have seen the use of these
> types of supplements bring a horse out of the dumps within 30 minutes,
> but they were NOT in colic mode. The idea is the use of substances to
> keep the active bacteria alive and well will keep the guts working.
> SO what happens first -the natural contractions-- can't spell that one
> -- peristolius?? stops then the guts quit and dry up.. or the micro
> flora dies and the guts stop, or is it either or both, caused by
> different failures.
> Getting too hot in the guts- going too fast over heating will kill the
> bacteria then digestion stops.
> Loss of K will slow down or stop contractions. If they do not drink or
> eat the guts stop working - nothing to process. A real balancing act.
>
> MORE ISSUES. At Million Pines there was NO grass  - the water was from a
> well. He ate hay and drank 'home' water except for the VC.  Gut was full
> from the start, he  ate well at all the VC
>
> Would he had  done better IF I had fed some Carbs- to kick start the
> desire to eat. I felt that did happen at the other rides.  I gave the
> electrolytes mixed with CC and waited for him to start to eat.
> Even  if I gave small amounts pre ride - not pre-load but enough to keep
> the appetite active- would that had helped? Since he was not eating
> well, would the induction of simple carbs helped to keep the guts
> working and thus full?
>
> The loops were shorter at all the other rides. Drank and got
> electrolytes more often, got time to rest more often. Long legs between
> VC at the speed - takes it toll, This type of problem happens at the
> OD100  - use to be 25 miles until the first VC. I think the longest leg
> is about 15 miles now.
>
> WORMING  This has been beat to death. Yes I have been using Strongid-c
> for 10 years--or whenever it came out. I need to take another fecal
> exam. The issue of encysted  worms may be a problem, Are the spores
> coming out now -at this time of the year? Based on the comments about
> the 2X5-5day safe-guard treatment, this is the time of year to do it
> before they all are triggered to come out as larvae.
> If a survey is taken - would be nice to know the worm protocol. I plan
> on doing the safeguard program later this week.
>
> TRAILER  He seemed to NOT like hauling free in the back stall. He would
> shake and act stressed when he had all that room to move and turn
> around. I hauled him in reverse  slant load for the last 3 rides. He
> traveled better. ate drank etc. No nervous actions. I modified the
> trailer with a new rear back wall and padding.
>
> PLAN OF ACTION.
> HA
> Well, first I will not make any  radical changes.
> Next ride is 3 weeks- Liberty Run. He gets the week off, and startup
> next week, maybe Sunday- for a slow work, then see how he goes after
> that.
>
> I will think about adding lite salt- but how much. Too much will cause
> more problems.
>
> QUESTION - What is the brand and or formulation the vet- Ken and Todd
> used to add to the stomach drench? I use to feed a product called
> ELECTRADE IV 4000 back in the 'old' days before we 'KNEW ' what to give.
> I bought it from my vet. I never had problems until I started to use the
> home made mixes.
> I also did real well on the original ENDURALYTES, developed 10 years ago
> by Dr Waldron.
>
> I really do not know what to 'fix' because I don't know what is broke.
> Since he will have a buddy- I expect him to eat well.
>
> I do plan to go slower, but not 12 hrs. Will play it as he goes on.
> I will ask Dr Ken to bring blood test kits and  try to get samples
> before, at 25m and the end take, if time permits.. The data will be
> skewed since the blood will sit on ice  for a few days, but it may show
> something ,at least comparisons. Should at least be able to get before
> and after tests.
>
> I have gone over all my notes- appears I have covered all the points I
> had. Not sure what I missed.
>
> Post status. I was checking on him all day. He still likes me 0- comes
> to me when called. Came in a running tonight, nickered and flanging his
> head around.. ate about 6 treat cookies he would NOT eat at the ride.
> Full of grain and electrolytes and honey etc.. go figure..
> Hope for some POSITIVE feedback.
> Get to see our name on the DNF list next month in EN  - with a big M
> That's about it, if  I think of more issues point I will  post. Ask
> questions for more info if you need it , constructive comments only --
> please.
> Thanks hope this gets some better technical conversation going and less
> bashing.
> Roger
>
>
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