Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Heart rate at CTR

After a few seasons of competition it is also remarkable the level of
distraction that will not make a real change in the pulse of a competitive
horse. I was taking a pulse one time when a lightning bolt hit near camp.
The horse speeded up for 2-3 beats and settled down.  His pulse worked out
to 60, so the savy rider called for a recheck (this is allowed by UMECRA
rules and is immediately done by a Vet).  The recheck was 44.

The first year Wendy did CTR she got paranoid that every noise, dog, horse,
etc. was going to ruin her chances for a ribbon.  Now that Raj has almost
2000 UMECRA miles, she stands and chats with other people and she never
worries about his pulse.  The same with Raj.  He just drops to his normal 36
to 44 beats and wins.

I am a big believer in removing tack and bits to allow better cooling and to
signal the horse that it is time to relax.  Wendy, who is a lightweight,
usually does not remove tack.  She usually places higher than I do.

By the way, unless it is an extremely hot day and special dispensation is
given by vets and management, UMECRA rules do not allow sponging in camp.
Please do not start a flame war on this.  I did not invent the rule, I just
follow it and help enforce when I am ride manager.

Ed
Ed and Wendy Hauser
1140 37th Street
Hudson, WI 54016
715.386.0465
sisufarm@xxxxxxxxxx


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