x
PERSONAL GEAR, FIRST AID AND ACCESSORIES Here are some suggested items to
bring with you on your trip: Western hat or safety helmet, riding boots with smooth soles, safety strap for hat, day jacket or vest, leather riding gloves and gloves for the weather, rain slicker, rain cover for hat or helmet, chaps or chinks, long sleeve shirt, handkerchief or scarf, trousers; denim, multipurpose knife, fl ashlight, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, fi rst aid kit, insect repellent, canteen or water bottles, toilet paper, equine fi rst aid kit, horseshoeing kit or replacement hoof boot, hoof pick, brushes, curry comb and leather punch, repair kit with extra leather thongs, Chicago screws, water, bucket, sponge, sweat scraper. Many items in the human and
equine fi rst aid kit can do double duty, such as rolls of bandage material, antiseptics and ointments. Your saddle- bags should be balanced and not overfi lled. Use saddlestrings to se- cure a coat and/or rain gear.
BRING APPROPRIATE
y
SICKNESS Your horse is less likely to suf-
fer from the same altitude changes that you will. A unique aspect of the equine circulatory system is that red blood cells are stored in the spleen and are released on demand. During strenuous exercise, your horse can call on reserve red cell supplies to help meet demand. This explains why horses suffer less from altitude changes than humans. When a human
goes from low to high altitude, a period of adjustment is required. The horse simply releases more red blood cells from the spleen to satisfy the increased demand for oxygen. Your horse may ex- perience an increase in urine output due
to the stress of the altitude change. This assists in lowering the fl uid component of
the blood, which affects a higher level of the hemoglobin rich red blood cells (RBCs). The resultant rise in the RBC concentration increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and serves to bring the respiration and gaseous exchanges closer to normal. Altitude illness in humans affects ap-
proximately 25% of visitors from low alti- tudes to some degree. At high altitude, you will probably notice that your breathing is faster and/or deeper, and you may feel
WATCH OUT FOR ALTITUDE
short of breath, especially when exercising. This is the body’s fi rst and most effective response to higher elevation. Your heart is likely to beat faster and you may develop nausea, unusual tiredness, headache, or have difficulty sleeping. If you have one or more of these symptoms you may have acute mountain sickness (AMS). This form of altitude illness usually resolves in a day or two. If the symptoms become worse or if you are concerned be sure to consult a doctor. A wet cough, increasing shortness of breath or
the feeling of fl uid collecting in your lungs may signal a more serious condition called High Alti- tude Pulmonary Edema or HAPE. HAPE requires immediate medical attention.
You can do a few things to decrease the effects of high altitude:
ß Spending two nights at modest alti- tude—5,000 to 6,000 feet—may decrease symptoms when you ascend
ß Eat foods high in carbohydrates ß Drink more water than usual ß Avoid alcohol, caffeinated, and carbon- ated drinks
ß Use Diamox, a medication that reduces symp- toms and speeds up altitude acclimation
ß Consult with your doctor regarding an iron supplement if you are anemic. People with underlying heart or lung diseases should avoid high altitudes.
continued page 26
24 June | July 2010 •
WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US
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