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Important note: As of 2001 or
early 2002, I have been choosing to electrolyte by feeding powder or
salt in the horses feed, rather than administer it via
syringe. I have found that the horses do just as well if not
better, and we are all happier with this arrangement.
This test was taken on my horse
Weaver, at the Gambler's Special 50 in April, 2000. The horse was
also weighed, before during and after the event. Total weight loss
during the ride was 6 {six} pounds. 6:39 ride time.
| ITEM |
BEFORE* |
DURING** |
AFTER*** |
ITEM |
AVG.~ |
~ RANGE |
| pH |
7.43 |
7.435 |
7.437 |
pH |
7.38 |
7.44 |
| PC02 |
42.4 |
42.6 |
42.9 |
PC02 |
35 |
47 |
| PO2 |
35 |
37 |
38 |
P02 |
30 |
45 |
| BE |
4 |
4 |
5 |
BE |
0 |
6 |
| Hc03 |
28 |
29 |
29 |
Hc03 |
22 |
33 |
| TC02 |
29 |
30 |
30 |
Hc03 |
22 |
33 |
| S02 |
69 |
72 |
70 |
S02 |
45 |
. |
| Na |
140 |
141 |
141 |
Na |
133 |
145 |
| K |
3 |
3.7 |
3.4 |
K |
2.2 |
4.6 |
| iCa |
1.5 |
1.45 |
1.53 |
iCa |
1.25 |
1.75 |
| HCT |
38 |
37 |
42 |
HCT |
32% |
52% |
| Hb |
13 |
16 |
14 |
Hb |
11 |
19 |
| Glucose |
n/a |
93 |
99 |
|
|
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*Before: Blood was drawn at the pre-ride
vet in the day before the ride.
**During: Taken at the vet check. On this
particular ride, there was one vet check at 35 miles. Blood is drawn
as soon as we get there.
***After: Blood is drawn as soon as we
cross the finish line.
In case anybody is interested, here is
my electrolyte protocol for this horse (for that ride).
The electrolyte program I am currently
using has evolved over many years and many miles......I do not
recommend or suggest that anybody do what I do. Just because it
works for my horse does not mean that it will work for your horse!
You need to work out for yourself how to manage your horse.
Electrolyte supplementation is important, however, there are many
other factors just as if not more important such as weather
conditions, difficulty of terrain, weather conditions, conditioning
level, feed program, and each horse is an individual. Don't just
jump in and do something because somebody else is doing it!
Blended together in blender.
2 cups of Enduramax
1 cup of Optamax
(a probiotic)
1 can of applesauce.
Each 60 cc syringe holds between 1.25 to
1.5 oz. of Enduramax, and .5 to .75 oz. of Optamax. I sometimes mix
in a little oil (or water), and spray the syringe tips with cooking
spray. I mix, let it sit an hour or so, and mix again so that the
electrolytes are fully dissolved before filling the syringes.
Horse was preloaded before we left. 1
ounce 2x a day starting on Wednesday night. Kept giving him the
elytes at the ride. I rode my other horse on the first day of the
ride (it was a 2 day ride), so Weaver had the added stress of *not*
being ridden on that day (trust me, he's less stressed getting to go
50 miles than he is by NOT getting to go).
Then on ride day:
1 dose 2 hours prior to the start
1
dose at 14 mile water
1 dose at next water, 17 miles farther
(ummm....31 miles)
1 dose at lunch check in camp (35 miles)
1
dose on next 15 mile loop
1 dose after finishing
1 dose later
that evening
1 dose in the a.m. before leaving for home (9 hour
trailer trip)
Then continued post-ride care as usual
(basically I give the horses whatever leftover elytes I have) :+)
**Everytime I dose during the ride, it is because the horse just
drank.
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