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As Truman and others are pointing out, it is not
panting in and of itself that is the problem--it is a matter of WHY the horse is
panting. There are three main reasons why a horse will pant--1)
oxygen debt, 2) core temperature way too high, 3) learned behavior to keep from
getting to #2. So while it is worthwhile for the ride vet to note that the
horse is panting, it then becomes a matter of sorting out why. If it is
#1, the pulse will also be sky-high, as the horse is desperately trying to get
O2 around to the muscles, brain, etc., so not only will the respiratory tract
work overtime, so will the cardiovascular system, to try to deliver the O2 to
whereever is screaming for it. If the problem is #2, that is easily
checked by taking a temperature. If the horse is truly in situation #3,
then he is just fine, and might as well be left alone to go about his business,
including going on down the trail. In areas where heat and humidity are
the norm and most horses are used to it, ride vets may well have enough of a
"feel" for the panters to not even worry too much about taking temps--actually,
there are usually slow pulse recoveries with high temps as well, as the horse
tries to deliver cooled blood back to hot muscles. But in areas such as CA
and here in the NW where either we don't see outrageous humidity often, or where
at least a lot of our horses don't, then it behooves the ride vets to note the
panters and take temps as a safety precaution. If the temps are
reasonable, the horses go on--if they are not, they are held until
they drop or are pulled.
Heidi
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2002 11:04
AM
Subject: Re: [RC] Protecting Horses!
(Malibu Ride)
Now there is a difference between panting and an oxygen debt. A
panter will stand there drawing rapid shallow breaths and be going about his
business, eating, drinking, etc. A horse in an oxygen debt will be standing
there with dinner plate eyes drawing very deep rapid breaths no interested in
anything else but taking rapid deep breaths. .
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