Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Protecting Horses! (Malibu Ride)

Many years ago my wife rode a Paso. At that time they were still worrying
about "inversion" at CTR's in FL.  We came in at the stop and in 10 minutes
his pulse was 52 and his respiration 56. He was inverted and had to wait
an extra 10 minutes. In 10 minutes his pulse was 36 and his respiration 40
and he got pulled. Was he in any kind of stress - absolutely not. 

Nowadays in the hot and muggy SE we've pretty much eliminated panting from
the equation for endurance rides. Only the pulse is taken in the P&R
box. If the vet thinks there is a problem with the respiration, then he will
investigate it further - most likely pulling a temp. As one very good endurance
vet has said, in hot humid conditions I worry more about horses that don't
pant than those that do.

Truman

KathyZ1@xxxxxxx wrote:
> Angie wrote:
>   
>   
> The temperatures is a great idea. I disagree on penalizing panters. 
>  Silly when they're doing a better job of cooling themselves than the
>  non-panters
>   
>   
> Yes, Angie, I think taking the temps was a really good idea, too.  At the
> pre-ride meeting the vet suggested that riders should invest in their own
> digital thermometers for $5 to check their own horses as well.  He recalled
> the mare at Norco last year and explained how such a situation could be so
> easily avoided....
>   
>   
> In view of  the weather we were facing, we found that
>   
> some horses had sustained temperatures in excess of 103.  I think I remember
> hearing that one was over 105.
>  They'd cool while being hosed/sponged and sometimes their temps would creep
> back up once the hosing stopped.
>   
>  We neophytes were told (by the vets) that inversion was dangerous.  Is this
> true?  Honest question here.  (I'm starting to get private emails about my
> postings --surprise-surprise-- >vbg<).  So I want everyone to know
> that my questions are simple, honest ones, sans rancour.
>  The 'panters' seemed to have higher heart rates as a general rule.  Usually
> over 20.  I don't remember seeing any panters pulsing in at 15 or below. 
> This only among the horses that I personally saw and dealt with, of course.
>  Can panting be normal then??
>   
>  Kathy Z
>   
>