Re: RC: Do resting HRs change with excercise?

[Lynn Kinsky <lkinsky@silcom.com>]

>Hi guys
>
>I've been hearing conflicting information about the resting heart rate of
>horses.  On the one hand : the resting heart rate of the horse will never
>change, no matter how fit or unfit he is.  On the other hand : the fitter
>the horse becomes, the lower his resting heart rate.
>
>Which is true?
>
>smiles
>Kristene


In my experience, the resting heart rate can change, just like it can with
humans.  When I started in CTRs with my Peruvian gelding (who had
previously been used largely in polocrosse, a sprint event) his resting
heartrate was 48-52.  By the time we completed 1000 miles in NATRC his
resting heartrate was 40 and it remains there today, even though he is now
only used for pleasure riding.  His sisters, who naturally had heart rates
of 40 and 44 from the beginning, didn't show such a dramatic change with
long distance aerobic work -- they are at 36 and 44 now (but their mileages
are less than the gelding's also).


Lynn Kinsky (Santa Ynez, CA)
http://www.silcom.com/~lkinsky