Re: Civil War--East vs. West

[Susan Evans Garlinghouse <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

Truman Prevatt wrote:
> 
> I really don't see any contest here.  I guess I started it with question
> to Susan if she had taken data in high humidity where thermoregulation
> is a big issue or was her data taken in a semiarid climate.  This was
> addressed to the issue of weight carried - having noting to do with
> East/West.  Susan is a good researcher and she will be the first to tell
> you that one must be careful in the extrapolation of results from
> studies to condition other that experienced in said study.

Thanks, Truman.  I'm still trying to catch up from just getting back
from Norco (and YAYYYY, we finished!  Our first 50 in five years as part
of our new resolution of Less Research, More Riding).

Anyway, yes, you are absolutely correct that results from this one study
cannot automatically apply to all endurance events, nor should it be
implied that weight is not going to make a difference over the lifetime
of a horse.  This study examined energetics and individual results under
very similar circumstances and very specific terrain (namely, Tevis). 
How much or if the results would apply to all other conditions, I just
don't know.

You make an excellent argument that a larger body mass equates to more
heat production and thus possible problems in heat dissipation in high
humidity conditions.  We already saw some hints of this with the
condition score data we collected.  Several people have suggested
collecting some data at Biltmore and OD, and if I can rustle up the
funding (meaning a plane ticket, a rental car and a motal room), then
I'll try to repeat the study in humid conditions and see how they jive. 
Maybe they will, maybe they won't.  Ahhh, the suspense and drama of a
researcher's life...;-)

Oops, gotta run---a five-year-old is clamoring for her bedroom back.

Susan G








> 
> It seems that some people were extrapolating the results of this study
> to try to support something it just it does not support.  This was the
> discussion.  I really don't see that anyone has gotten out of line.  We
> need to have discussions of relevlent data and be able to express our
> points and disucss these points if this forum is going to sere a useful
> purpose.  In doing so it may mean that errors in logic or errors in the
> use of experical data have to be pointed out.  This is not, should not
> be done, should not be interperted as a personal attact but taken in the
> larger context of learning.  It also seems that it should also be done
> and taken with a sense of humor - which is sometimes hard to express
> over this medium.
> 
> We also need to have a little fun.
> 
> Truman
> 
> >
> > Please let's not start a p#!$%^*& contest about how rough you "high humidity"
> > dwellers have it compared to us out west.
> --
> Truman Prevatt
> Mystic “The Horse from Hell” Storm
> Rocket a.k.a. Mr. Misty
> Jordy a.k.a. Bridger (when he is good)
> Danson Flame - hey dad I'm well now and ready to go!
> 
> Brooksville, FL