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[RC] Preventing Treatment - Latest Draft - Stagg Newman

Was able to retrieve a copy from somebody that I had the lastest copy, so ignore my email about the delay.

The following is the latest draft of a one-page check list of steps riders should take to minimize the chance of horses needed veterinary treatment as a result of endurance competition. Thanks to all the many people who have contributed ideas. The list is divided into steps taken before the ride, during the ride, and after the ride. Please send suggested edits, additions, deletions to staggandcheryl@xxxxxxxxxxxx Stagg

PREVENTING TREATMENT
WHAT RIDERS CAN DO

Pre-ride
1. Maintain the horses on regular de-worming program. The stress of endurance riding can reveal underlying parasite damage
2. As part of training and conditioning due your own ?vet check exams? so you know your horse and your horse knows the routine. End workouts with a quick vet check including trot out, check for dehydration, pulse, etc. The best riders learn ADR= Ain't Doin' Right - a very important parameter although difficult to define.
3. Bring the horse into the ride well hydrated. This may entail electrolyting to encouraging drinking upon arrival at a ride site, feeding slurries, or even bringing water for finicky drinkers. For horses accustomed to grass, hand grazing on grass is excellent.
4. Let the horse properly recover from trailering. Considerable research shows just how stressful trailering is. Horses trailered more than 3 hours should be given at least 12 hours to recover. Those trailered more than 4 hours need a full day. Also horses need gentle exercise to loosen up muscles after trailering.
5. Minimize feed change as far as possible.
6. Check temperature of the horse before leaving and after arriving.
7. Watch EDPP-MF: eating, drinking, peeing, pooping and moving freely. Riders should do their own evaluation by observing their horse before they see the vet.
8. Plan your ride carefully; plan a ride time based on past ride times, weather, trail conditions and state of conditioning your horse. Ride to your plan, not to what other horses are doing.
9. Electrolyte starting well before the ride so horses will drink properly.
10. Learn your horse?s needs and adjust your ride according to what the horse tells you
11. Have horses properly shod to minimize chance of injury.
12. Select rides with ride management and veterinarians who will work with you to protect the horse or otherwise ride quite cautiously.


Ride (Remember the ride vets are there to help you!)
1. Watch EDPP-MF. All normal, fine. If not, slow down or stop.
2. Monitor Progressive Pulse Recovery During Check. The pulse should continue to drop during the hold period and be 8 to 20 beats lower than the criteria. If not slow down or check with vet.
3. If concerned on trail about ADR ?Ain?t Doing Right? do a mini-vet exam and CRI on the spot.
4. Watch out for over-excitement that can cause early tie-ups, dehydration, etc. Much of the critical electrolyte and water loss in horses occurs in the first 10 to 20 miles. Warm you horse up thoroughly or wait a couple minutes after the start and use the first couple of miles as warm-up. 5. Be willing to let leaders go, separate into small group going at your pace
6. Adjust for temperature and footing. Humidity even if cool necessitates slowing down as does heat. Muddy, sandy footing, single track twisty, and side hill, and even slippery grass, require far more work as horse cannot use natural suspension system.
7. Electrolyte regularly and often. As much as once per hour if hot, humid or difficult footing.
8. Ensure the horse is getting enough energy food for pace of ride.
9. Use a heart monitor and if readings are higher than expected for terrain, etc. slow down.
10. Learn your horse?s needs and adjust. If in doubt at vet check, discuss with vet your concerns.
11. Slow down coming into vet check. Start out slow from vet check or warm up before leaving vet check. Abrupt changes are hard.
12. On cool/cold and wet/windy days cover your horse with rain sheets and/or blankets to prevent cramping or tieing up at holds. Consider a rump rug for early in the ride. 13. Use the vet as your partner and friend. Discuss any concerns with them. They are there to help. The only stupid question is the question not asked.


Post Ride (these are steps to avoid treatment and do not include leg care, massage, etc.)
1. Watch PPED Peeing, pooping, eating, and drinking. All normal, fine. If not, check w/ vet. .
2. Rehydration thru free access to water, offer slurries, etc.
3. Postpone concentrated feed for several hours, particularly if pulse stays up.
4. Monitor post ride pulse recovery.
5. Blanket if necessary if weather is cool.
6. If any question with hydration or colic, immediately consult veterinarian (if vet is not experienced with endurance horses, have them consult with endurance vet if possible); do not hesitate to stomach tube or aggressively get hydration to normal through IV if necessary.
7. Do not trailer horse home until adequately recovered and hydrated. Ideally trailer home the next day so the horse has overnight to recover.
8. If at any time you have a concern or believe the horse may be ADR ? Ain?t Doing Right, go see the vet for a quick check and/or discussion. The vet wants to see a healthy happy horse ready to go another day.




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