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RE: [RC] Rule Change Proposal - Susan E. Garlinghouse, DVMSo - what would a good exit CRI be? I've never had one performed on my horse, so I haven't got a clue. The entire description of a cardiac recovery index can be found on the AERC website at http://www.aerc.org/Vets_Handbook.asp The relevant paragraph is on page 19. Here is the paragraph regarding how it is done, and what constitutes an acceptable CRI. Note that a CRI alone is not a "go or no go". It assumes that all other metabolic and lameness criteria have already been examined, taken into context of the total clinical picture, and met. The CRI is just one more tool, and a very good one. "The Cardiac Recovery Index: The ability of the horse's circulatory system to accommodate the level of exertion experienced at the event is monitored by use of the Cardiac Recovery Index (CRI). The CRI may be performed at all vet checks at endurance rides, including the finish line vet check. The horse is not presented until it has met recovery criteria established for that ride, usually of 64 bpm or less. The horse is then presented to the veterinarian, and a resting heart rate is taken. Then the horse is trotted 125 feet out and 125 feet back. (The gait can be observed during the jog out for soundness and impulsion.) At exactly one minute from the time the horse started the 250 foot trot out, the heart rate is taken again. Most horses complete the trot out within 25-30 seconds, allowing the horse to stand quietly for the remainder of the minute. (For a horse that does not object to being handled, the veterinarian can initiate evaluation of the metabolic parameters during the remainder of the minute.) A horse that is demonstrating adequate metabolic compensation should recover to the same resting heart rate taken before the 250 foot trot out, or preferably to a heart rate of four bpm less than the starting rate. If the heart rate elevates during the CRI, the horse should be asked to return for a recheck CRI within 10-15 minutes to monitor for progressive recovery. The veterinarian should take a second look at all metabolic parameters at that time, including a second CRI. The CRI is not necessarily used to eliminate a horse from competition; the entire clinical picture is used to assess the ability of a horse to continue in the event." So it seems to me that before a newbie team can go on, a good benchmark should be that they must at a minimum have the same post trot-out heart rate as before the CRI trot-out. If it's higher, than they have to stay awhile longer and get rechecked 15 minutes later, with an additional look at the other metabolic criteria. If they fail again, probably time to hang up your hat for the day. Doesn't seem particularly arduous to me. Yes, this is a different set of rules that apply only to newbies. Fine by me. I also support laws that say student drivers can't drive at night, or with too many friends in the car, until they get a little experience. Better than scraping up the remains with a shovel. Susan Garlinghouse, DVM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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