CRI
becky glaser (eglaser@bigbasin.com)
Sun, 23 Nov 1997 20:34:54 -0800 (PST)
I am fundamentally in agreement with Bob Morris and Joe Long. The CRI is
one of several tools that a veterinarian has to evaluate a horse. It is
only a tool, not the magic parameter that will decisively announce to all
that the horse is too tired to continue. It can be misused--and often is
in the hands of inexperienced ride vets. I ride a horse that is not a
great recover-er. When pulse criteria are set a 56 or 60, and it is cool
outside I am reluctant to over- cool him with water. He often, under these
circumstances, will not have a terrific CRI. I have usually been blessed
with vets that are experienced and look at the rest of his parameters. I
would suggest that if you are not sure how your horse is doing, slow down.
It's not the vets job to protect your horse from his rider, but to advise
the rider on what he sees at that particular moment.
As my favorite endurance vet (The Duck) says,"It's your horse. If you want
to kill the son-a-bitch, go right ahead." I don't think he's ever lost a
horse on one of his rides.