Re: [RC] Descanso disasters, vol 2 - Sisu West Ranch
"...your horse cannot reach 60 bpm within 10 minutes WHENEVER
YOU STOP then you are over riding your horse..."
I respectfully dissagree. If you are riding a well
conditioned horse in very humid (>95% humidity) and high temperatures (>90
F), unless lots of cold water is placed on the horse, the pulse can easily hang
over 60 for extended periods. Cooling requires someplace for the heat to
go. It can be used to evaporate water. At high humidity, and high
temperatures (we are talking high dew points here in addition to high relative
humidity. Dew point is really what controls things, we just aren't used to
thinking about that.) the 102 F water sweat out on the horse just will not
evaporate taking heat with it. The same goes for conduction to the
air. The amount of heat transfered (with all other vaiiables controled) is
proportional to the temperature difference. There just is not much
difference between a 102 F horse and 95 F air.
Please note: I am just trying to say that a simple
prescription of so many minutes to a certain pulse is just to simple, the
ambient conditions, the horse, his state of training etc. all have to be taken
into consideration. Colics happen. Ranger ended up in a vet hospital
for 2 days with colic. He came into the check, pulsed immediately,
etc. 20 minutes later he felt rotten. 45 minutes later he was on
IV. I wish horses were as simple as certain pulse and
recovery.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
