ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] cooling techniques
[endurance] cooling techniques
John Greenall (greenall@vermontel.com)
Sat, 30 Mar 96 16:45:49 PST
After attending the USET seminar on the studies in ref to Atlanta, I tried
some of what they suggested. Of greatest use was a heart monitor that
stayed on the horse while I was cooling him. for a Morgan with a resting
pulse of 44, getting down to 44 is tough in 20 minutes. The seminar made two
points. Solar radiation slowed down cooling, find some shade. In the case
of the NY 100, it was the barn which most people shunned as it was "close" in
there. But as riders, we all know the value of shade. The second point was
to use water to pull the heat off of the horse. Cool or cold water running
off a hot horse will be warm and until it the horse is done dumping heat,
keep the water coming. My big surprise was on a cool wet day after 25 miles
and the heart monitor was staying around 50. I tentively put some water on
the horse around his legs and jugular, and the pulse lowered. Personally, I
would have died if someone put water on me, but then, I am not a horse. I
kept putting water on him, to the chagrin of my compatriots and had a steady
44 in 20 minutes. What did I learn, humans do not cool off like horses and
what I would want done to me is not necessarily what we should do for our
horses. Since that seminar I have made that 44 pulse every time!!! Just a
point of view from a mad sponger.
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Name: John & Sue Greenall
E-mail: greenall@vtel1.vermontel.com (John/Sue Greenall)
Date: 12/31/95
Time: 13:08:18
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