Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

We use the P&R box system here in TX as well...you bring your horse to the P&R box, get your time when you present (if several horses present together, all get the same time, even if some have to wait a moment for a pulse taker).  If a horse is at criteria standing still, but spikes up high when moved a few steps, I'd argue that the horse isn't *really* down adequately.  It's common practice here to walk one's horse around - just in a small circle - a time or two to flush lactic acid, then sponge again, to prevent the pulse from spiking when you take the horse to the P&R box.  Dealing with the pulse possibly gong up a few beats as one moves the horse to the P&R box is just part of the process.  Everyone has to deal with it, so it's an even playing field.  I find it to be fairer than a crowd standing around calling out for the attentions of the same few pulse-takers.

 

Dawn Carrie, Texas

 

On 8/28/07, Beth Walker <bwalker2@xxxxxxx> wrote:

OK, but it does require you to move the horse into the gate.  What
about horses that get a bit buzzed when they are moved?  Do the vets
give them a few minutes to (hopefully) settle back down?

I worked P&R for years here in the PS, until I started doing the
rides again, and I've run into many horses whose heart rate would go
up when they were moved, or their buddy left, etc.  It would take a
minute or so for them to come back down.