Re: RC: spleen

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/8/00 3:34:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
carolheard@mcsi.net writes:

<< Some time ago I read an article about how the spleen works like a
 turbo-charger for a horse. Anyone know how that is, how much of
 the horse's blood is stored in it, how long it takes to empty out, how
 long the effects last & how long it takes to replenish....In other
 words,
 anything about the subject?
 Thanks >>


In a very fit horse, the spleen can store up to 50% of the available red 
blood cells, and a quarter mile burst of speed can send a 33 PCV to above 60. 
When you start working your horse with a heartrate monitor on, you'll be able 
to "see" the spleen contract. with lighter work. You'll be plodding along for 
a while at a 133 HR and relatively suddenly it will drop to 123.  About 2 1/2 
miles of lope will drop the spleen. Going slower, you may not ever get a full 
splenic contraction. 

The way to find out? Take a pre-ex PCV. Spritint a quarter and take another 
PCV--then you know what percentage of red cells is stored in your horse's 
spleen. Later you can see what happens with LSD, or so many miles of lope, or 
whatever.

With good cardiovascular challenges, the spleen will become increasingly 
capacious, and increasingly responsive to the onset of strenuous work. 

ti