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RE: [SPAM] RE: [RC] Taking horses to higher elevations - heidi

I disagree. There is a huge difference in the amount
of oxygen available at 8000-10000 feet versus sea
level.  Those of us (animals and humans) who live at
sea level have less red blood cells than those who
live at higher levels.  Even in good shape, you will
suffer from oxygen deprivation, which will show in
several different ways.  If you are in really good
shape, you might just breath alot heavier (which is
what I did when I went from sea level to 5500 on
vacation and went horseback riding on a borrowed
horse.

You are right about humans.  But do remember that horses have a huge
splenic reserve of red blood cells, and that those will enter the
circulation when there is a need.  High elevation and subsequent lower
available oxygen will cause them to release some of those red cells
into circulation, thereby allowing them to meet their oxygen needs
fairly easily.  

With regard to humans, those of us raised at higher elevations seem to
retain that adaptation, even if we later live at lower elevations.  I
was raised at 5000' with frequent forays to 8500' or so.  Later in
life, even though I lived at just over 2000' for several years, I had
no difficulty going hiking at 10,000'.  Had I never lived at higher
elevations, I wonder if that might have been more difficult.

Heidi


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