The treatment clinic at ­Faure-smith had its fair share of ­drama this year with more than 100 cases receiving some form of treatment. Proceeds from the clinic go to Erasa’s ­veterinary fund which is used to assist clubs that ­present smaller rides, but cannot ­afford the services of sufficient veterinarians at their rides. These funds bring veterinarians to their races.

A world-class clinic

The Fauresmith veterinary clinic was equipped like never before. Blood ­testing equipment including Abaxis Vetscan ­chemistry and Abacus Junior FBC ­analyser were kindly brought by Johan ­Meyer. This allowed a full panel of blood cell, ­chemistry and electrolyte analysis on site, an extremely valuable monitoring tool for the metabolic cases. The machines ­performed admirably in the stress, dust and cold of Fauresmith 2007.

A digital X-ray machine and ultra sound scanner brought along by Dr Caryl Furniss allowed excellent quality X-rays and scans with immediate results. The value of this was seen when one of the top horses (lying fifth at that stage of the ride), fractured the pastern bone (P1) on the right fore.

X-rays were taken and sent to Dr Johan Marais at Onderstepoort by e-mail, based on which a decision was made to have the horse operated on. The horse is doing very well after surgery. This emphasises the ­importance of a well-equipped clinical ­facility at major endurance rides.

A total of 11 horses received intravenous fluids (drips), mostly for ­exertional ­rhabdomyolysis (Monday Morning ­­Dis-ease) and colic. All horses recovered ­extremely well. Only two “Exhausted Horse ­Syndrome” cases were treated this year. Credit to both the riders and the line veterinarians for monitoring metabolic parameters so closely!

Fifty-seven horses were treated for ­lameness. Lameness attributed to pain in the front fetlocks was the main cause. A worrying increase in tendonitis (tendon injuries) was seen this year, with 14 acute tendonitis cases, more than double that of last year, having been treated.

Having studied all the cases treated over the last five years at Fauresmith, a ­disturbing pattern emerges. The same ­mistakes lead to visiting the Fauresmith treatment clinic every year. Learn from them! Here are a few rules compiled in the hope that next year, more horses will complete the ride and less need treatment.

The endurance rule of 13

1. Water is paramount! Always have clean, clear water available in the stable, at stops on the course and at grooming points. Consider bringing your own ­water with you if your horse is fussy. Flavouring water with a table spoon of salt or apple vinegar at home and then at Fauresmith, may encourage fussy horses to drink different water. NEVER ride a dehydrated horse! This is the quickest way to bring on a myriad of serious metabolic conditions. Report poor drinking or dehydration to your vet.
2. Never implement sudden diet ­changes (eg doubling the concentrate ­ration) ­before or during Fauresmith. All ­changes should be gradual to allow the microbes in the horse’s gut to adapt. The same applies to sudden changes in electrolyte routines. Avoid sudden changes in your electrolyte regime. Stick to your tried and tested method that got you to qualify for Fauresmith.
3. “Carbo loading is out!” The horse has a complicated digestive system that ­cannot handle purely carbohydrate diets ­(horses are not Bruce Fordyce). ­Gradually ­increase concentrate levels if needed.
4. Good quality hay is the most ­important part of any horse’s ration and must ­always be available.
5. Remember that if horses are fed large amounts of concentrates, these should be reduced during periods of ­inactivity (such as travelling for two days to the event or extended rest periods). This will help reduce the likelihood of ­“Monday Morning Disease.”
6. Feed up to 85 g (60 ml) of a suitable electrolyte supplement which contains the correct ratios of sodium, chloride and potassium before the race and at each checkpoint, as well as after the ride. For example: 85 g times four equals 340 g and according to Lewis (1995) horses need 125 g of sodium and 175 g of ­chloride (330-360 g of salt) per day of excessive sweating. Avoid ­electrolyte ­solutions high in ­bicarbonates. These were designed for race horses, not the unique requirements of endurance. ­Endurance horses have a respiratory and metabolic ­alkalosis (increased blood pH), the opposite of the sprinting race horses. Bicarbonates may be linked to “Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter” or “Thumps”.
7. Salt is your most important electrolyte. Feed 30 g salt per day on “off” days, and 60 g salt per day on ­working days. Adding salt to the concentrate ­increases palatability and possibly ­encourages drinking.
8. Always warm your horse up properly. This prevents muscle strains, tendon injury and Monday Morning Disease.
9. Never start rides too quickly – it is a one-way ticket to the vet. The ­majority of Monday Morning Disease cases occur on the first day before the first checkpoint.
10. Check your horse’s hooves! Many horses have fallen out for something as simple as a stone under the hoof. Make sure new shoeing is done before and not ­during Fauresmith. Make sure the hoof is ­properly balanced and conditioned. ­Discuss shoeing and pads with a f­arrier experienced in endurance work. Full pads have been implicated in causing lameness due to sand impacting and causing sole bruising. It was wonderful to see three barefoot horses ­complete ­Fauresmith this year. Remember, ­however, that it took years of dedicated preparation to get to that point.
11. Check your saddle. A poorly fitting saddle is a recipe for severe back pain. Three horses fell out of Fauresmith this year with muscle spasms directly ­attributed to poor saddle fitting.
12. Horsemanship! Listen to your horse: watch his drinking, eating, alertness, gut sounds and pulse. Ride to the ­ability of horse and rider, do not overdo it. Tell the veterinarian if there is ­anything worrying you. We are all there in the best interests of the horse.
13. Enjoy your ride! Remember it is a ride, not a race.