As a portion of the clinic, a short simulated trail ride was done.
At the P&R stop, those of us that did not bring horses did the taking
of P&R. It was done as a learning experience and therefore more time
was taken and discussions went on that I am sure would not take place
on a real ride.
One horse looked to me to have an "obviously" high respiration rate.
In fact it looked to me that it was an inversion (respiration rate
higher than pulse rate.) The explanation given for it being ok was that
the horse was panting and that was not the respiration rate. Although
we took several moments to discuss it, it is not clear yet as how one
differentiates between panting and respiration rate. It is not clear to
me that it is possible to take the respiration rate on a horse that is
panting.
I am wondering if someone can explain it in a way that might make more
sense to me.
Just to further illustrate the situation, I was told that until a few years
ago Icelandic horses could not participate because panting was so normal
for them that they would "always" come up with an inversion. I was told that
it required a letter from the breed association stating that this breathing
pattern is normal.
If anyone can help out on this question, it is appreciated. Thanks.
Joe jpu@kaiwan.com