Re: Faster completion time = Lower HR

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 98-07-07 15:42:43 EDT, mdicko@ozemail.com.au writes:

<< During my recent rides I have noticed that the faster my completion time is
the lower my horses pulse rate at completion is. ???
 If I hold him back and take longer,  his heart rate is usually much greater.
At my last ride ( 50 Mile ) I gave him his head and let him run his own race
and he finished with his fastest ever time of 4:40 and his lowest ever HR of
48bpm at 30 min.  Has anyone else noticed this. And any reasons why ?? >>

Yes, Mike, as a ride vet I have often noticed this.  I find that the best
pulse recoveries are often the tail end of the Top Ten and the first several
finishers right after.  Sometimes I do see good ones farther back, but I also
see some not-so-good ones.  I think for every horse there is an optimal pace,
and if he goes that pace, he will recover the best.  That will vary a lot from
horse to horse, but sometimes slowing him down from that optimal pace can be
almost as stressful as pushing him too fast.

Heidi