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[RC] thumps again - rides2farWell... Funny how you guys talk about something rare and the next day it happens? Well, yesterday I took 3 recruits on a fairly taxing training ride...humidity high, temp high, but good shade. We had two pretty well conditioned horses (geldings) and 2 green mares (6 yr. old lean Spotted Saddlebred cross & 3 yr. old stocky, QH type mustang). We were walking up the mountain and I hadn't even really thought about a walk getting to them but when we stopped for a minute and.. whoowee were the mares panting. Pulses weren't that high but panting BIG time. Both geldings were bored looking. Cooled them off well in a lake on top and went for some nice trotting along the brow of the mountain for about 3 miles. Thats when we started hearing the rumbling in the distance. You know how it is...ya wanna finish the trail you planned and the thunder may rumble off in the distance for hours...and it never really hits till 6:30 or so, you you just should keep going like you planned, right? WRONG. Bad idea. No sooner had we reached our destination than the storm suddenly seemed to be bearing down on us. :-P Can you say LIGHTNING STRIKES *immediately* followed by BIG CLAPS OF THUNDER? shudder< Well, actually, the big stuff was a little behind us at first and I weighed the dangers of pushing them too hard or having to ride that brow in the storm and we all held a good trot for a good 3 miles, though a good mile of it was a gentle but steady climb. (If I'd been alone it would have been a good RUN but it was still hot & muggy) We had time to run them through the lake for a very quick lick hit with the sponge (otherwise I was afraid they would combust) and noticed the young mustang appeared to be thumping. :-( Other than panting like crazy she looked OK, was grazing vigorously. We hustled on and managed to get just off the brow and headed down the mountain when the BIG storm hit. It was as bad as I've ever ridden though. I took everything metal off my body (stethoscope, watch, etc) and put them in my pack and was debating whether I was safer on foot or on this horse with brass fittings & 4 metal shoes. The trail was a river by then and I just suggested we spread out *a bit* so if it got one of us it wouldn't get us all (no luck, the horses kept rushing back in to a group...or was that the riders???) I can tell you *my* anal tone was A++++++++++++. So..we walked down the mountain in a downpour amid bolts & claps, and when we got to the trailer (and of course it cleared off) the mare no longer appeared to be thumping, panting was gone, but the hind leg, just at the flank area was shaking like Elvis. She did not look tired. Eyes were bright, appetite excellent. Don't think it was shivering. It was very warm and humid. I felt bad to have pushed her so hard, but felt good to be alive. I wonder how related the thumps were to the extreme panting. I know when Kaboot got thumps it was still there after he was not breathing hard at all. Wonder how many cases come and leave and are never noticed? Angie =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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