Re: [RC] [RC] New 30 minute rule for 50s - Long - Heidi Smith
>Lots-a reasons a horse may need longer to come down,
excitement of a youngster-buddy not there- general wound ups for no BAD
reason. Just because a horse needs more than 30 is not necessarily because
there is an actual problem metabolic catastrophe coming.
Early in the ride I might agree
with you. But a horse that has been able to meet a 30-minute cut-off at
vet checks all day is not going to suffer from buddy separation or
excitement at the end and "hang" for that reason. I agree with Barney and
others who have stated that they are pretty concerned about any horses that
DON'T recover within considerably less than 30 minutes post-ride.
Furthermore, the post-ride recovery time is in the hands of the rider--if a
horse might have a problem, then for gosh sakes, SLOW DOWN! That's
why we have parameters in the first place. And if a horse is going so
slowly that slowing down further is not an option--then yes, I believe he likely
is not fit enough to be there in the first place.
