Mounted search and rescue

[Karen Nesbitt <spanishequines@yahoo.com>]

RESPONDING TO

 

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 16:16:49 -0600
From: Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>
Subject: Re: [MSAR] ELECTROLYTES both horse and human
To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Message-ID: <20100418221649.GA31238@att.net" ymailto="mailto:20100418221649.GA31238@att.net">20100418221649.GA31238@att.net>
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I know far more about electrolytes and dehydration in humans than in
horses, having managed more cases in humans.  That said, it helps to
keep in mind that, in terms of chemistry, horses and humans are more
similar than different.

For humans, since 2003 the World Health Organization has recommended
a so-called reduced osmolarity formula for oral rehydration solutions.
This is reduced relative to the prior WHO formula.

Here is a basic low (reduced) osmolarity make-it-yourself recipe:

- eight level teaspoons of sugar and
- one level teaspoon of salt
- in one litre of clean water

The WHO recommended formula for a commercial electrolyte solution
is more complex.  It is sold all over the world at very low cost as
packets of dry powder for mixing into 1 liter of water.  To find a
supplier see http://rehydrate.org/resources/suppliers.htm.  These
packets are super convenient to have on hand in your first aid kit.

A 2009 veterinary medical article reported good results of a small
study giving low osmolarity electrolytes (12 g Na, 24 g Cl, 9 g K,
1 g Ca and Mg, in 8 liters or 2 gallons), followed by food.  To
recover from work, horses need water, electrolytes, and calories,
but dehydrated horses typically refuse food.  So the first task to
speed recovery after work is to address dehydration by replacing
both water and electrolytes.

Electrolytes should be given *with* water, preferably *in* water.
Giving electrolytes in advance of water involves gambling that the
horse will drink enough water to balance the electrolytes.  Too
high a concentration of electrolytes in the gut can draw water out
of the body by reverse osmosis, actually making dehydration worse.
This gamble is not necessary.  Instead, simply give water with
electrolytes mixed in, or let the horse drink plain water and then
give electrolytes according to how much the horse drank.

In very hot, humid weather, horses doing typical MSAR work probably
would generally benefit from being given electrolytes with water.
Where I live, electrolyte loss during work is not a huge concern,
but water loss is.  That is because our climate is very dry, not
humid.  In a dry climate much water is lost via respiration, with
little or no loss of electrolytes.

It would be smart for MSAR units to adopt a protocol for assessing
the welfare of their equine members.  At a minimum, distribute a
handout about signs of dehydration, heat stress, colic, lameness,
etc.  Learn to take a horse's pulse, respiration, and temperature.
Know stuff like that some horses, especially older horses, always
show a "skin tent" when their skin is pinched and this does not
mean they are dehydrated.

    Una Smith
    New Mexico

 

---------------->>>>>>
Una makes good points in her recent discussions on electrolytes..  Some more  comments here though...

 

However, there is the old adage that says... you can take a horse to water, however, getting it to drink is another issue.  This is one reason I as an endurance rider would use the pastes for electrolytes while on trail and at home.  I alway try to have them in the med chest.  All year.  Dehydration is not just a summer time issue.  It can happen any time giving the adversty to the system.  Granulars in water are fine, but the key is if they will not drink, they will not work.  The paste gets it there, stimulates the horse into recovery.

 

Dehydration is not just a summertime issue, it can occur during any season.

 

If you cannot get them to drink, you have to stimulate their drinking response.  Paste electrolytes are easy, as for giving a horse an IV...  Unless you are a vet, you are not qualified.  As an endurance rider, anytime I travel or even when I do no leave the farn

the paste electrolyte is always one thing that should be in the medicine cabinet close at hand.

 

Temperature, pulse, respiration.  The three majors to know if you own.  Every owner should know them and what is normal FOR THEIR HORSE. Some breeds natrually  run a higher P and R, particularly hotbloods.  Some will be a wee off the norm in temp as well.  But it should not be by extreme.  Pinch that skin.. is it fluid? Do you know how to read that "tent" for the age and condition of the animal?  For that matter do you know what a health sweat is when an animal is IN CONDITION, the sweat should run clear, never lathered.

 

As far as balancing a meal with supplements and electrolytes, TDN and a hay analysis is required to do it and do it most effectivly and I dont know of many owners that do it, especially those that are boarding their animals out. rare is the case if they do.  Although there are probably some 4-hers that are more savy than some adults.

 

In humans and animals dehydration can have several underlying causes and not always the obvious.  Causes can be internal bleeding from injury, or illness.  Someone that is not hurt, could be bleeding internally from an illness, example could be such as cancer and not even know it until the paramedics haul them to the ER perhaps becasue the victim fainted

and then doctors tell them.

 

If your horse has diareha, probiotics can help.  Drinking will help. Having the runs can cause dehydration as can impaction..There are wafer cookies on the market and are wonderful.  One is called PROBIOS.  It is a yogurt cookie that keeps the constitution functioning in microbials.  Great if your animal has the runs.  Not so great becasue some dont like the cookie but you could mash it to a powder and put it in their water or in an apple.

 

Most horses will not drink electrolyte tainted water unless they are used to it.   And even some will not drink it even if used to it.  Many horses will not drink water form strange sources. Thus making the paste the best option.  Potting enough water when on a deployment for one horse you need 15-20 gallons PER DAY for adequate consumption per horse.

 

I have to ask, how many MSAR deployable units bring their own tankers?  an 8 horse unit for example on a one day deploy will require the minimum of 160 gallons per day they are deployed... so how you packing it? 

 

In winter when hydration can be  a serious issue, pasting remains hands down the most valuable option.  Horses do not have to be worked at all, just cold or suffering a metabolism issue that causes them to stop drinking.. or perhaps they never had enough water provided to start.

 

I hate seing vet bills especially when it comes to IV's and horses.  I also do not like to see a horse get colic.  Keeping them HYDRATED works wonders to prevent that.  COLIC IS PREVENTABLE by feeding the animals proper healthy feed that is dust free, and horses have access to WATER.  Making sure they drink is part of management.Bad management such as throwing hay into swill on the ground, feeding dusty moldy poor quality hay are just a few examples of just asking for BIG TROUBLE.

 

Prevention is part of the cure.  In over 30 years of horsemanangement, I personally have not had any horse of mine colic.  I have breed and raised and managed close to fifty animals that I have either owned or had *long term hands* with.  In that same time, I have however seen too many animals suffer in other barns due to owner/operator stupidity and as said, colic, for one can be prevented.   You board, you need to know what the operator is doing so you as the owner can do more.  You own, its your duty.

 

While I have had a couple animals get dehydrated, they never reached the point of needing an IV.  Monitoring the animals carefully and knowing the signs can go a long way to prevent that.  However, sometimes an underlying issue will take you or your animal down faster than you can realize.

 

Dehyrdration can also cause weight loss.  Weight loss can be another problem stemming from dehydration.  Old age, teeth loss, metabolism changes.  They too can contribute to

dehydration.

 

Changing feed, territory and stress are all contributing factors to why a horse can get dehydrated, become impacted or have the runs or colic.  But you can do things to prevent these problems if you know how.

 

I said it again, electrolytes, and adding, proper diet, minerals, water and care... something to get hyped up about.  And dont forget the salt.  I see a lot of poor managed barns and animals where owners never provide salt. 

 

As far as standards in a team?  Im still missing the mark on that idea because all the animals are individuals.  They need to be treated as such.  Just again, my humble opinion.

Having a handout is a wonderful idea for the basics, but a horse in dyer straits will still require a learned and knowledgable vetrinarian.

        Karen