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RE: [RC] Resting Heart Rate - heidiFirst of all, I've never found all that much correlation between
resting HR and recovery time. I've ridden numerous horses with
resting rates around 36-40 that drop into the low 40s very
quickly--seemingly immediately by the time one can get off and take the
pulse with a stethoscope. I've also seen numerous horses that have
lower resting heart rates that are not especially quick
recoverers. While there may be some relationship, there sure
isn't a precise correlation.
That said, I'd still not tend to select horses with resting HRs over
about 40 for this sport. But I don't go out of my way to select
those with 28s, either--if they are 40 or under, I'll see what sort of
actual recoverers they are.
Your gelding's recoveries are apt to improve with conditioning,
certainly, but so are the horse's that already drops quickly.
Some horses just have more efficient cardiovascular systems than
others. And while being lean helps, it certainly isn't a
requirement--I've ridden more than one chunky horse that can trot
into the vet check and be below criteria and dropping into the 40s by
the time I can present to the PR people.
Heidi
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