ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Cooling

[endurance] Cooling

Alexandra (74672.737@compuserve.com)
30 Mar 96 18:39:25 EST

As an owner of a REALLY black horse and living in Palm Springs I definitely
agree with the posts about using cold water on the horse anywhere you can get it
to expedite cooling. I've watched the pulse rise almost 20 notches sometimes
when going across a dry wash and getting the hot sun reflected on us from the
sand. I carry water bottles just to spray on Mirage's neck and butt while we're
traveling.

On our first fifty we travelled most of the way with a grey mare and grey
stallion. We came into each of the checks together and Mirage met criteria each
time 2-4 minutes ahead of them except for the last one. I had stopped using the
water after the second check thinking it was cooling off. Big mistake on my
part. He was hot coming into the last check because I had stopped using the
water. It took me longer to meet criteria..I think, because of it.

He also didn't like it at first when i started spraying him in transit. Now he
thinks it's great. I have since discovered he didn't like the cold water
because he was used to warm baths at the ranch he came from. Warm baths...can
you imagine!

just an opinion

Alexandra and Mirage..(only two more Saturdays of tax season left...yippppeee)