Hang time review

[Sue Brown <sbrown@wamedes.com>]

Several weeks ago I asked the question on how to reduce the "hang time"
Blaze always has when he comes in for a vet check.  His resting HR is
around 44 and, when he stops at the VCs, he hangs around 70 for 2-4
minutes, then drops to 60.  The horse he is with most often has a resting
HR of about 32 and drops to criteria immediately -- making it somewhat
frustrating to have to wait every time for him.

I received several suggestions which included more intense hill work during
his training sessions, more active cooling during the last mile or so
before stopping, walking him around to help cool him, eliminate any
alfalfa, and ride a gray instead of a chestnut <g>.  

I started with adding more hill work during his training rides.  Then at
the next ride (Alpine) I decided to be more active in keeping him cool.
Since it was raining during the ride, I used the many puddles along the way
to practice my "sponging" (which was actually a lot of fun.)  I sponged him
frequently during the whole ride.  (Towards the end of the ride I was able
to nail the puddle at a good canter -- which was usually followed by a
"Woohoo!  I GOT it!!" ;-))  Anyway, the end result was a horse with a HR
that hit criteria within one minute!!  By the time we got to the vet
checks, he was cool and dropped immediately.

On another note...he has consistently gotten Bs in gut sounds which I was
also trying to improve.  Tried electrolytes with ProBios on the same ride
and he got all As in gut sounds...first time ever.  I've only tried it on
one ride (my one rat study <g>) but it worked well enough that I'll use it
again.

Sue
-------
Sue Brown
Tyee Farm
ARICP Certified Riding Instructor
Recreational Riding and Dressage
Marysville, Wa. 
sbrown@wamedes.com