Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

That is an interesting question, and one I hadn't run into until I  
got my new horse.  I think it is very possible for the horse to  
actually be at criteria in the P&R area, but then be above when it  
gets to the vet.  I would say it is a judgement call by the vet -- if  
the horse is quiet, or looks tired, that is one thing.  If he is  
dancing around like a maniac, that could be a different situation.

Take my fellow:  At the first ride we did together, we had to pull  
for metabolic, not because he was metabolically stressed, but because  
he was over-excited.  I watched his heart rate:  it would start  
dropping, dropping, get to 60 (criteria was 56), then he would jerk  
his head up to look at something, dance around, and it would shoot  
back up to 80, 90, 120.....  He did that for a 1/2 hour, so I went to  
the vet line to pull.  The horses in the vet line were pretty calm,  
and calmed him down (I learned a lesson -- I had been trying to keep  
him out of the pack).   He stood still, and dropped to 56, then  
below.  As soon as the vet line moved, it would shoot up again, then  
come back down when he stood still.  When we walked the 5 feet to the  
vet (and away from the other horses), he got excited again, started  
dancing around, and was back up to 80 or 90 ....

On Aug 28, 2007, at 8:38 AM, Steph Teeter wrote:

> We've done it both ways here over the years. As far as timing,  
> waiting, walking too far, etc -it's more a matter of layout and  
> organization than who does the actual pulse taking. The problem  
> with having volunteers take the official pulse is 1) having enough  
> qualified volunteers and 2) issues with accuracy . We have had a  
> few cases where a volunteer pulsed the horse at 64 (or 60), the  
> horse got it's time recorded, and when it got to the vet it was at  
> 80. So - does the 'official/volunteer' pulse stand? the vet ignores  
> the 80 pulse and continues with the exam? or can the vet over-rule  
> the volunteer and send the horse back for a re-present.   At most  
> rides it's not a big deal, but at a championship it can make the  
> difference between first and second place.
>
> Steph

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