Solving The Riddle Of Thumps: Electrolytes, Alfalfa Both Play Starring Roles

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Electrolyte imbalances and diet may both play a role in the condition that affected Skippylongstocking in this year's Charles Town Classic.

Bobbie Jo Lieberman
Oct 6, 2025

When Skippylongstocking headed postward for the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic in late August, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. had plenty of reasons to believe his 6-year-old bay star would capture his third consecutive running of the $1 million, 1 1/8-mile event. Conditions were ideal for the earner of over $3.6 million, affectionately known around the barn as “Skippy.”

West Virginia’s cooler evening weather was a welcome change from the heat and humidity of Joseph’s home base in southern Florida. Skippy, reports Joseph, is an easy horse to be around, but he knows when it’s time to run.

“He walks like he’s in charge—he gets pumped up in the paddock,” said Joseph. “He can be a handful for his groom.”

With Jose Ortiz aboard, Skippy broke well from post position four and went straight for the lead on the rail, carving out fast but comfortable fractions on the half-mile track. He looked strong until right around the half-mile pole, when he inexplicably began to lose momentum and rapidly backed up through the field until he was last on the final turn, only to be eased under the wire.

What happened? Did Skippy go to the lead too quickly? His fans on social media were concerned for his welfare, suggesting perhaps the veteran campaigner had simply grown weary of racing.

Cooling out back at the barn, the reason for his poor performance became clear—Skippy had suffered from a metabolic condition known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, better known as the thumps. Thumps occur when the horse’s usually distinct respiration and heart rate are in synch, causing a sound akin to human hiccups...

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