Re: [RC] Will a horse run itself to death? YES!//MAYBE - Mary Ann Spencer
I was told several years ago that one of the many differences between
horses and mules is that you CAN push a horse to go until it dies but not a
mule. I have been told stories of mules who will work to a point and then
won't go again until they are ready, ie not tired. I think a horse would
run itself to death under certain conditions related to fear and not being
conditioned. That fear could be from the rider, ie spurs, whips
etc. There are many other factors that could be involved such as any
weakness in the heart or other major organ, weather conditions and such
variables. The horse may die from kidney failure or electrolyte imbalances
that can then cause the heart to fail. This can be complicated. Race
horses tend to have 'lung' bleeds when over exerting. Perhaps a lung
collapses? The horses lungs are one and not 2 like humans and will die
quickly from a pneumothorax. There can be lots of variables here. I
saw a horse die from being kicked in the ribs which caused the lung to
collapse. Perhaps others have some info to share on this. What
about the horse who thinks he/she HAS to be the lead but is not conditioned to
keep up?? But goes for it anyway? Hence why we must condition
BEFORE the ride.
How about some input from others who have seen horses die after
exertion.
Subject: Re: [RC] Will a horse run itself
to death? YES!//MAYBE
In a message dated 2/13/2006 8:41:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, sensei@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
I
don't doubt that some horses will give their all to a rider who
pushes them them unto collapse/cardiac arrest. But left to their own
devices, and in absence of a predator, I don't believe a horse will run
himself to death because he "can't feel his oxygen
debt."
I would respectfully disagree with this premise. The HUGE adrenaline
thing that happens to horses at the beginning of a ride/race (IME) appears to
set some of them up to just plain run themselves to death. It just
depends on the temperament of the horse, but after that you bet they can quite
literally run themselves to death. That's why they need good partners
(us).
