TWO WEEKS PRE-RIDE:

The two week period preceding the ride is a very important time when considering "stress" factors in an endurance horse. All too often this time is conveniently "overlooked" by riders anxious to compete at a particular ride. Many times, it is apparent that there were warning signs that everything was not 100% at home prior to a horse having problems during or after a ride.

Remember the series of simple rules to ensure that your horse has every opportunity to COMPLETE each ride they start.
These rules are equally applicable for both NOVICE and ENDURANCE horses.

1. My horses are shod every 4 weeks without fail when in competition.
(A badly shod horse is an unnecessary "stress" factor that you can easily avoid.)
2. Be careful not to over feed and under train coming up to the ride.
3. I will not take a horse to an event if it has suffered serious systemic illness in the two weeks before an event, i.e colic, diarrhoea, fever, etc.
4. This also applies to all significant lameness or extreme muscle soreness.
5. This also applies to any other form of major stress (i.e. such as floating accident, ty-up, bogged in a water-way, flipped over a fence …etc)
6. A horse that is not training well does not get on the truck.
7. A horse that is not eating well does not get on the truck.
8. A horse with an abnormal temperature does not get on the truck.

It is especially important to take stock of your "ride calender" if your horse suffers any sort of systemic illness leading up to a ride. I cannot stress this point too much.
By this we especially mean colic, abnormal diarrhoeic episodes, other gastrointestinal problems, temperatures of unknown origin, snotty noses and coughs.

Gastro-intestinal problems are never to be treated lightly in the horse.
Horses are basically a HUGE GASTROINTESTINAL tract with added extras. Long distance riding puts a great strain on the musculoskeletal-gastrointestinal relationship. Never underestimate the degree of stress and strain suffered by your horse post colic/diarrhoea.

They are often suffering the physiological consequences long after they appear normal to the owners. The gut mucosa (lining) may be damaged, electrolytes lost and in imbalance. As well, there are most likely increased levels of endotoxins circulating in the horse's blood stream, (too much of which will cause laminitis). Commonly white blood cell counts may be depressed, with associated rises in fibrinogen, i.e. the immune system may take quite some time to recover.

A cough is also a very real problem - especially if the horse is coughing uncharacteristically at rest. A snotty nose also a warning of upper respiratory infection. There are lots of equine rhino and herpes viridae (cold bugs) around that will cause these symptoms. If you stress the horse while they have a virus, no matter how minor it seems, it can easily progress to a lower respiratory tract infection with bacterial complications. Such illnesses as guttoral pouch empyema, pleuritis, pleuro-pnemonia and pneumonia, can all result.

If your horse has even a "minor" viral infection and you compete it you can also damage the HEART and increase the risk of "TY-UP" dramatically. Just as we get muscle soreness (viral invasion of the muscle tissues) with the "flu" so does the horse - both the cardiac and skeletal muscle are at risk of damage.
Make sure your horse is fabulously fit and healthy before you even entertain the thought of travelling to, or entering, an endurance ride. It is up to you!

PRE-RIDE STRESS:

The importance of keeping horses stress-free and well hydrated pre-ride was reinforced by the "abdominal cramping" suffered by one experienced competitor at the Lake Manchester Ride in 1998.

This particular horse had managed to exit his yard on the Saturday and gallop a couple of kilometres to his home. He returned to ride base apparently no worse for wear. He was then unsettled overnight and went "hard" the following morning. He made his rider's life a lot more difficult than usual.

This horse subsequently experienced abdominal discomfort post-vetting. This was attributed to fluid losses and associated electrolyte imbalance combined with the "hard-to-read-go-go-go" horse personality type. (Remember some horses are their own worst enemy!)

The veterinarian who examined the above horse at the pre-ride was very thorough in his examination. The vet required representation before the ride start and only then was the horse declared fit to start.

In this instance, all physical parameters were normal. This means ultimately that it is a common sense judgement and much of the responsibility must be borne by the rider. Riders are infinitely more sensitive to the subtle changes of their mounts.

The stress associated with getting this "worked up" could be viewed as the equivalent of "half a ride" or "a leg" prior to the start. If your horse suffers some undue or unusual stress before a ride, or even fails to drink, give careful thought to either modifying your ride plan, especially if you planned to be competitive. You may even consider withdrawing.

After consulting a number of other AERA and experienced endurance veterinarians, it was interesting to find that they have noted similar incidents over the last few years. At the risk of sounding obvious…
Horses that have suffered an unusual amount of "stress" tend to be prone to metabolic problems during and after rides.

One senior veterinarian suggested horses that are inadvertently stressed during the two-day period prior to the ride should not start (Dr. Bill Harbison). Examples of this would be travelling extremely badly, a ride "break-out" and refusal to settle in yards i.e. walking all night.

Pre-ride stress manifests itself mainly as interference with normal eating and drinking, excessive excitement and even associated GIT motility problems (pre-ride colic or diarrhoea)- excessive sympathetic tone.

It is important to realise that many of our horses are highly strung. This is especially so for Arabians. After experiencing a number of rides they develop a tendency to anticipate the ride when the right cues are given. They can become excited, anxious or even unc0-operative. Any emotional or physical disturbance can affect hydration status and normal gastrointestinal function.

Any disturbance pre-ride predisposes the horse to increased likelihood of GIT/hydration stress, resulting from subsequent fluid and electrolyte deficits i.e. inadequate intake or excessive losses.

What pre-cautions can you take to guard against psychological pre-ride stress?

1. -Organise your "rig" out of sight of the horse. (Believe me they know!)
2. -Try to feed and water your horse as per normal the morning of the ride, avoid changing the routine.
3. -Minimise the time spent at ride base if you anticipate your horse won't settle i.e. leave later.
4. -Take another horse if the horse does not travel well alone.
5. -Arrange to erect your yard beside a good-natured, familiar horse.
6. -If your horse is fretting in the yard - take him out for a grass pick and walk.
7. -Avoid "flattening" your horse at every ride - by this I mean try to avoid the temptation of riding your horse to its limits all the time.
8. -Do not over-face your horse. You should not try to take your horse to too many rides per season.

If a horse is ridden within himself and not "over-faced" by an excessive number of rides he will enjoy them. On the other hand, if a horse is ridden out and backed up frequently he will soon go "sour" and performance will deteriorate. Mentally he will not try and he may start to anticipate rides in a negative light.

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STRESS INDICATORS DURING A RIDE:

During an event the rider should be sensitive to any indication that all is not well with the horse. Some common signs of stress that a rider can look for are described below.

Signs of GIT stress:
Horses (and riders) are commonly excited at the start of a ride. This often leads to the horse voiding loose faeces as a result of the "adrenaline" rush associated with excessive sympathetic nervous system stimulation. This may be considered to be normal.

Note: it is better if the horse is not over-excited at the start - body fluids and electrolytes will be better preserved and your horse will finish in better condition.

Abnormality is seen when loose faeces turns to fluid faeces and voiding is almost continuous and does not abate. In this case, it is wise to seek veterinary advice.

Another manifestation of fatigue, or GIT related imbalance is frequently encountered towards the end of a ride. This is usually a more subtle change. Attentive riders know that their horse is not travelling well.

The horse slows gait, usually on several occasions, and suffers tenemus, i.e. straining to pass faecal material. Faecal balls passed by these horses are frequently mucous covered, hard and dry. The GIT of these horses has obviously slowed and motility is abnormal. It is important in this instance that pace is slowed to a sustainable level i.e. slower trot and/or walk. If the horse deteriorates - stop at the nearest checkpoint and seek veterinary assistance.

During the ride, if you are worried about your horse's condition you can also check the gums (oral mucous membranes). If they tend towards excessive dryness, or are "muddy", blue-grey or brick red in colour, then you must stop and seek assistance. Such changes are found in horses with poor peripheral circulation and/or endotoxaemia. Untreated these changes may lead to cardiovascular collapse.

Signs of musculoskeletal stress:
I hope that most of us can tell when our horses are lame. Granted it is more difficult and signs are sometimes more subtle in the hind-end. If your horse suddenly starts short-stepping please stop and check the feet.

So many times it is simply a stone wedged and early removal will prevent any on-going problem. A lost shoe can also be detected and early application of an E-Z boot will mean little damage is done and minimal time lost.

Note here that some (not all) lameness is gear related. Occasionally, I have seen a breast-plate girth attachments cause lameness through chaffing if they are not centred on the girth. A tight breast-plate will almost always cause short-stepping in both front limbs. You may need to provide a greater surface area or alternatively cover with sheepskin or rubber to prevent movement restriction when the "load" is taken up by the shoulder straps.

An improperly fitted saddle may cause pressure on the withers that transfers as a front-end lameness or reluctance to stretch out. Some improperly fitted girths will also cause chaffing and discomfort that upsets the gait of the horse.

It is up to you to learn how to properly fit your saddlery and to check it if you feel your horse in any pain during the ride. Sometimes things break!

If your horse suddenly loses impulsion or begins to feel uncharacteristically fatigued in the first few kilometres of the ride suspect early stages of tie-up (exertional rhabdomyolysis) may be occurring. This probably reflects excessive early anaerobic work and lactic acidosis. Often an astute rider can "feel" this and simply backing off will prevent the condition's progression to ER.

Unfortunately, some horses seem to be prone to "tie-up". It is familial. This means that horses of the same families are frequently affected. Much time and effort is invested in these horses to discover management methods to control it adequately. Some horses will be worth all the extra work; some will not!

Given the right circumstances, any horse will tie up! Avoid pre-disposing you horse by tailoring your grain to workload, exercise yarded horses regularly, warming up properly and avoiding any pre-ride excitement.

If the condition is progressive and you can see or feel the "working" muscles of the rump, loins or shoulders becoming hard and swollen you must STOP!

POST-RIDE STRESS:

It is important to remember that many of the problems associated with hydration, i.e. electrolyte and circulatory problems, may not become apparent until well after the final veterinary check. Metabolic problems may not be apparent until well after the 30 minute veterinary check.

Often horses even "vet through" a check before a problem becomes apparent. In the Lake Manchester case, the horse was affected as he left the check. (Note: he had pulsed out with a heart rate just over 60bpm.) Within seconds, his heart rate had risen to 90bpm, and when retaken five minutes later was 80bpm. The heart rate returned to its resting level within an hour.

At the Lovers Ride in 1998 another horse displayed discomfort associated with fluid related problems 2-3 hour post-ride. This was despite drinking well on course and passing the veterinary check with very good metabolics. Note: this horse's heart rate was always in the mid-forties.

At Boonah, 1998, another horse was noted to display low-grade abdominal pain as it stood post-ride in its yard.

HINTS ON MANAGEMENT POST-RIDE!

It is important to monitor your horse especially carefully for 2-3 hours after completing a ride. Make sure they continue to eat and drink. Monitor the heart-rate at intervals. Offer small, frequent damp mashes, or other moistened, palatable feeds with added doses of palatable electrolytes.
· Taste it yourself to make sure it is not unpalatably salty.
· No more than a 6-8 litre bucket at a time.
· Try to avoid excessively dry feeds.

Do not over feed your horse prepared feeds. Large feeds of grain post-ride have the potential to be dangerous. (Especially if your horse is a glutton and tends to overeat). If GIT motility is disturbed grain may sit in the stomach and swell. This is a potentially life-threatening situation, it can lead to gastric distension and eventual rupture. Fresh green grass is probably the safest option post-ride.

Gut motility is affected by fluid and electrolyte depletion and derangement associated with prolonged exercise. Although your horse may not show any sign outwardly there is still the possibility that motility is not completely normal. It may take some hours (possibly 12-24 hours) for gut function to return to a completely normal state - i.e. as the fluid and electrolytes return to normality. It is therefore wise not to overly tax or stress the gut when it is in this state.

It is also wise to check your horse frequently over the next 12 hours, especially if there has been any cause for concern. We turn our horses out into a paddock we refer to as the "hospital" paddock on our return - i.e. a grassed area close to the house.

Even if there is no cause for concern I check them prior to turning in for the evening, i.e. as late as possible. At a longer ride, I try to walk my horses once during the night and have someone else check them as often as possible, especially if I am in a post-ride "coma".

I monitor feed and water consumption overnight. I respect also that these horses are tired and avoid putting a bossy horse in the same paddock. They need their recuperation time as much as you do!

THE LOGBOOK:

The emphasis has shifted over the last decade. Before the inception of the logbook the veterinary examination was largely a mystery to the average endurance rider. The horse was either lame or not lame. Lameness definition was often vague and varied according to the veterinarian/s on hand. An unwell horse was often described as an exhausted horse and there was little elaboration.

This is no longer the case. Now, the informed endurance rider understands much about the metabolic parameters of their horses and can utilise their understanding to do the right thing by their horse. The vet is the official umpire and as such is the professional interpreter and objective advisor.

Vets no longer see themselves as operating at odds with the competitor. Vets ask riders about their horses and expect a direct, honest answer. Riders often offer observations to aid a veterinary decision - sometimes in their favour, often not.

CAN A RIDER EVALUATE STRESS?

At Boonah 1998, a competitive rider at the front of the field to withdrew because he was worried about his horse's hydration. Another Queensland rider withdrew with the 1998 National Championship in his sights - he was concerned his relatively young horse had simply had enough!

When vetting at Murrumba in 1998, no less than two riders withdrew before the 120km mark because of rider interpreted fatigue. Another half dozen did not proceed from the 120km to the 160km primarily as the result of reduced gut sounds. As a result, all of the horses that attempted the 160km completed.

As a rider-veterinarian I appreciate how difficult it is to make these decisions. Character-building, even heroic! Congratulations!
Ten years ago this would have been unheard of….endurance riding is really coming of age!

The "take home message" here is that the metabolic parameters are paramount. The hydration factors (first three, oral mucous membranes, jugular and capillary refill and skin recoil) coupled with gut sounds are especially important.

Riders should continue to monitor these parameters after the final vet check. The veterinarian only has one "photo" in time to evaluate these parameters. The rider assumes ongoing responsibility for monitoring recovery and you should utilise the metabolic parameters. Remember riders are responsible for the "big picture" - the ongoing health of your horse. Make it your job to be informed!

As veterinarians, we are practised at interpreting these values - we are trained to understand the physiology and pathology of equine metabolic derangement. This understanding allows us to instigate appropriate treatments.

As riders, we can monitor our horses closely during rides and training. It is worthwhile practising your own evaluation of hydration status and even gut sounds during your training.. Try to get a feeling for your own horse's normal processes. Every horse is an individual - the better you know your horse when he is well then the easier it will be for you to know when he is not.

Last Word!
Medical doctors have been often heard to say that a mother's instinct where her children's health and well-being is concerned is often one step ahead of the observable clinical signs.

As a veterinarian, I often see amazing human-animal bonds. Many endurance riders know their mounts well enough to be similarly attuned to their well-being. If you make it your job to anticipate and understand - then management becomes that much easier.

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