ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Aussie endurance-HR and gut sound ?

Re: Aussie endurance-HR and gut sound ?

Anne Barnes (barnes@numbat.murdoch.edu.au)
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 13:36:12 +0800

Hi Carol,
Well done on your ride. My feeling would be that the humidity would have had
a lot to do with the high heart rates - just that much harder for the horses
to cool themselves, when they rely on evaporation of sweat for much of their
cooling. My impression is that high humidity and medium temperature is worse
than high daily temperature and low humidity. Maybe being in season can
have an effect on changing response to exercise, too. Not much we can do
about the autumn weather except wait. At least it wasn't bucketing with
rain, as it did at that ride the last two years!

It sounds to me that you are preparing your horse well, and as you
suggested, getting her accustomed to the whole deal of camping and other
horses and anticipation of the ride etc will improve her interest in eating
and drinking pre-ride. A lot of people suggest feeding plenty of roughage
running up to a ride, to improve retention of fluid and electrolytes in the
hind gut.

Best wishes,
Anne
Western Australia

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