Yes conditioning will help get his heart rate
down. But there is nothing wrong with 36/44. I wouldn't even worry
about it. But I also think your horse is a bit overweight. (as are all of
mine!!!) Carrying extra weight makes it hard for them.
I have a friend that just a few months ago got a
small 1/2 Arab mare we do not know for sure how much she was ridden. When we
condition she is down to 44 in a matter of seconds. Her resting rate is 28 to
32. We did a tough CTR last week (25 miles) and she again was down to 44 in
seconds (5 mph pace). My gelding who I have been conditioning for two years
and riding in CTR and LD resting rate is 36/44. Sometimes he does pulse down
to the forties in the 10 minutes you get in CTR but as a rule he is in the
fifties. My Gelding is a big registered Arab. My question is as he gets in
better shape will his resting rate get better or is it what it
is?
