ridecamp@endurance.net: horse wont eat until he get behind metabolically (long)

horse wont eat until he get behind metabolically (long)

Teresa Van Hove (vanhove@unavco.ucar.edu)
Thu, 16 Oct 1997 19:04:09 +0700

I'm seeking advice re Grey Moun's eating & drinking habits. He is 9 years
old - started endurance last year after lots of just trail riding. Last
year he was not all that fit; but he would really take care of himself-
grazing on the trail at every opportunity, etc. This year he has gotten
a lot more fit but he has started to put off eating until way into the
ride (25 miles or more) He is also not good to drink early in the ride
especially if he is not actually crossing water. I ride at a moderate to
slow pace (never above the middle of the pack - fastest ride I did was 6
hours (with 2 one hour holds, easy terrain) he actually ate well at that
ride (holds at 25 miles and 38 miles.) But the next ride I did was a
mountainous ride and a group of us took 5 hours do to the 25 mile first
loop. Grey Moun would not graze when the rest of the group did -just
fidgeted around. He was still not ready to eat at the hold - he just grazed
a little bit.) Finally in the middle of the second loop he got hungry and
started snatching grass and he ate steadily thru the second hold. Last
ride he would not drink until the 20 mile point -it was 85 degrees out
and he was alreading growing his winter coat. After that he drank well
but he never really caught up (metabolics were all B or lower.) and he
only ate a little grass and some of his beet-pulp grain when I held it right
under his nose in the vet line at the holds.

Is this something he will probably get over with more experience? (We've
done 350 miles -all 50's this year.) Should I try entering 2-day rides
or longer distances? (It's like he doesn't really have to keep topping off
his tank to get through the 50's) I want to try longer distances with
him to see if we can do them (and maybe even like them) next year. Or
should I stay away from longer distance until he takes better care of
himself? Any suggestions to help him learn to eat/drink early in a ride
will be much appreciatied.

Teresa and Grey Moun

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