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Howard, the way a horse "breathes" is different in a canter (or a gallop)
than it is for a trot. The horse actually "uses" the motion of the canter
or gallop as the rear legs go forward to force air from the lungs and make
breathing more efficient...that is, get more oxygen to the lungs. The horse
"breathes" in sync with the motion of the hind legs. This is one of the
things that makes the horse such a unique creature! I understand the mechanism,
but am not good at explaining it...perhaps Susan Garlinghouse or Dr. Newell
can be more specific?
Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Anyway,
my thought is that even though the heart rate is lower in the canter, the
respiration rate is not. The rate of respiration is higher in the
canter than it is with the trot, as it is with all my other horses, and
though I don't have a monitor to show the numbers I do believe they are
significantly different. So, my question is: How important
is the respiration rate, compared to the heart rate? Are they equal,
or is the respiration rate not near as important as the rate of the heart?
And, if it is a given that the respiration rate will be higher in the canter
than in the trot (even an extended one) wouldn't the trot be more efficient
for the horse, overall?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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