paste electrolyte preparations have been associated with an increase in gastric irritation and ulceration, with pain and discomfort due to irritation of already irritated gastric lining as a result of accumulated gastric acid as the stomach contents reduce in the time under saddle during the loops of the ride. Horses should also be provided with 500g – 1,000g of good quality dampened alfalfa/lucerne hay fed at ground level, in the 30 minutes prior to a ride, and at rest periods between ride loops and vet checks. Alfalfa/lucerne provides an efficient and natural stomach buffering effect to reduce the risk of gastric acid ‘burn’ and higher grade ulceration during and immediately after a ride to facilitate lung drainage or prior to, during or after long distance travel. Other energy feeds can be offered at vet check or rest points, but the primary requirement is for fluids, salt and electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium at every opportunity during a ride, especially under warm daytime ride conditions.
Exhaustion Syndrome
Back Soreness
There is also a risk of combined metabolic and physical exhaustion, often with related clinical signs of ‘tying-up’. During a long ride, the depletion of muscle glycogen stores of up to 55% of the pre-ride levels, combined with dehydration, accumulated heat and associated poor heart rate recovery, can cause physical exhaustion in a horse not well prepared for the distance or speed or not managed to account for changing climatic conditions or terrain of a ride. Analysis of endurance diets indicates that energy intake is often inadequate when compared to NRC (2006) guidelines and when horses are subjected to unaccustomed hilly terrain, wet ride conditions or loss of appetite due to gastric ulcer flare-up. This chain of dehydration and metabolic events often commences during long distance travel to a ride without regular access to hay and opportunity to drink during transport. Ongoing energy depletion, developing dehydration and physical exhaustion is a common cause of myopathy and elimination from a ride.
Back pain due to skin abrasion (rubbing) and bruising caused by a poor fitting saddle or poor riding technique, as well as chronic sacroiliac ligament or joint pain and ‘kissing spines’ in older campaigners, are problems which can flare-up during a ride and result in withdrawal or elimination. Some horses develop acutely inflamed wither and mid back muscles due to saddle concussion, slippage and pinching. Although they bravely complete the ride, they often flinch when touched and are often sore in the saddle area or over the rump area for 5 – 7 days after a ride. Careful assessment of saddle fit is paramount in any sport horse and especially in endurance Left: Cantering and hilly terrain can result in accumulated gastric acid splashing. Photo Sue Crockett. Above: Endurance horses must be provided with water at every opportunity. Photo Sharon Meyers.
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