I have started riding with a friend that I am trying to get addicted to
endurance riding. She used a monitor for the first time on her horse. We did
about 24 or 25 very hard hilly miles. She keeps her horse in excellent shape.
She rides every day for varying lengths.
When we put the monitor on at the trailer her TB was very high at 70.
Apparently excited to go. Mirage was at 28 (arab stallion).
What I noticed is that when they were both working harder around the 160 to 170
level they were about 5-6 beats apart. When we would stop, Mirage would drop in
large chunks while her TB came down slowly. Would get below 100 in about 1
minute, but never got below 80, while Mirage would drop to 50 or less in the
same time frame. Is this normal for TB's? do they travel at higher rates when
going slow? I noticed there was about 20-25 beats difference between us at
resting rates and easy walking. He never seemed to get to 60 while we were out
on the trail.
Back at the trailer, after about 10 minutes he dropped to 44.
Do the TB people have trouble vetting in the night before a ride because of a
high, excited pulse?
Alexandra and Mirage
Palm Springs, CA