Re: Big bone vs small bone

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 98-06-25 20:32:33 EDT, Tivers writes:

<< Your intuition is incorrect. Bone density can decrease as much as 30%
during the remodeling process. >>

No, Tom, I am not talking about the remodeling period.  If you reread my post,
I believe I mentioned that this change occurs over YEARS.  If I didn't, that
is the time frame of my observations.  What I have been told by the people who
research bones is that the decrease in density actually takes more like 4-6
weeks, rather than the 2-3 weeks you mention, with another 4-6 weeks before
the bone is even as strong as it started out.  The additional strength begins
to occur after that--nearly three months into training.  My numbers on cannon
circumference are from pre-training to old campaigner--for instance, one of my
stallions had 8-1/2" cannon circumference at 6 and had increased to 9+ inches
at 14, when I said to myself, gee, his legs look bigger, maybe it would be
interesting to remeasure him.  Have talked to many other riders since who
measured their horses early in their careers, and they have gone back and
remeasured and found the same thing.

Heidi