Re: RC: Cooling in the heat

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/12/00 1:11:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
gabbani@starnet.com.eg writes:

<< So, if we wait til about 5:30 or 6 pm and ride at dusk and in the dark, we
 can canter the horses (usually not in the dark) but the second they stop
 moving they are sweating like mad. Solution? What usually we've done is to
 cut back to slow work and showers after, but are there alternatives? Tom?
 You've done the Gulf. We don't have the swimming pools and airconditioned
 boxes. Just hoses and people willing to stand there with them. Would love
 some input on what we can reasonably do with our horses in the heat. They
 get really bored.
 
 Maryanne Stroud Gabbani
 Cairo, Egypt >>


Water and electrolytes and judicious continuous exposure. Night work. In 
general, the horse is at least as good as the rider in terms of exercising in 
the heat. The summer down there is the time for foundation-level exercise. 
Strenuous exercise in those conditions is a multiplier, so it's long and 
slow. Avoid much in the way of hill work or deep sand work on hot days (or 
hot nights). Watch respiratory recoveries closely. Don't go crazy about 
trying to keep the horse cool--just bring things on gradually and let them 
adapt. 

ti