Re: RC: spring come-back

[Onefarmgirl@aol.com]

As we approach spring and ride season (rousing chorus of hoooraaayyys) I 
wanted to get some input about bringing the horses back after their time off. 
  I have heard lots of riders comment that horses don't "loose ground" from 
their level of fitness as quickly as people do.   However,  these folks don't 
seem to have any real data at all (aside from their own perfectly valid 
experiential info).   I have heard a couple of people refer to a single study 
of standardbred horses who were stalled over a period of time, then brought 
out and evaluated for fitness by some parameters I've not been clear on.  
(wow, is that sentence a grammar nightmare or what?)   

Anywho, is there any actual research data available on this point?  Tom?  
Heidi?     

Also, what are some of your routines for re-conditioning a previously fit 
horse who has been mostly off over the winter?

Thanks,
Pat Farmer