Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

This thread has about run it's course but I'm dropping in my thoughts as a 
rider and ride manager, before it goes to the AERC bod

Do I think most horses, including non Arabs, will be able to meet a 60 pulse 
at 30 minutes at the end of a ride?   Certainly.  Most do better than that 
all the time.

Do I think mandating this will make a noticeable difference in the saftey 
and health of the horses?.  Not really.

Do I think it will be practical at most rides?  No.

Lets assume (bad word) we have an average camp site, safe (racing) finish 
within 100 yds of vet area.   30 mile LD and 50 mile endurance ride, last 
vet check for 50s in camp.   Average ride difficulty, expect winning 50 in 
about 5 hours plus 1 1/2 hrs holds, total time 6:30.   First to finish LD 
3:45 plus 1 hr hold, total time4:45.   This would be average here.   Start 
times 7:00 and 8:00.
First LD in around 12:45, must pulse down, let's say 1:00, do CRI 1:10, and 
BC 1:30.
there might be 4 or 5 LDs in by now.  All must be in by 3:15, Completions 
done by 3:45

First 50 in 1:30,  CRI 1:40, BC 2:00
It's likely that all the top ten 50s will be in by 2:30, with CRIs and BCs 
all done by 3:30

Plus there will be slow 50s coming in and out of the last vet check all 
during the same time.

Can be a lot of horses to deal with in a short time.

Can it be done?   Sure,  with enough PR people and vets, and space, but 
without that extra 30 minutes leeway for the 50 completion exams it could be 
a mess.
With the added horses in line with less time to leave the area, more vetting 
and crewing  will be
important.

Do I think most rides will be able to set it up so it happens smoothly? 
Nope!
Most rides work with  3 vets, small ones with all checks in camp do fine 
with 2.    Probably not possible to use only two with the time crunch.   Add 
an injured horse, or tie up, etc., or any hang up-----------

I've said before I support whole heartedly the sound at a trot, post ride 
completion exam, gate into holds, and "pulse down to finish" for LD.

I think the WHC work on finding real cause of deaths when they happen will 
prove very helpful over time.  More research on elytes and ulcers would 
certainly be helpful.

Just MHO



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