Re: RC: hot weather syndrome

[Teddy Lancaster <Teddy@runningbear.com>]

In reality, what you state is not practical...I suggest we get more
visibility in our sport and get some sponsors to pay for research...draw
blood before, during and after the ride...analyze it on the spot..I betcha
you'd catch 98% of the metabolic problems BEFORE horses got in trouble or
had to be treated.

This is a two-edged sword, however.  1.)  If we are more visible, we are
subject to more criticism from those who think we are cruel already (PETA
and others). 2.) It costs more to be more visible.

Right now (and for a LONG time) we have enjoyed policing our own sport and
doing our own thing.  Imagine the possibilities should we be "front covered"
by the media....

Fortunately, we are NOT a very good spectator sport...but that does make it
hard to convince a potential sponsor that they will get something in
return...

Teddy

Chelle Sherman wrote:

> Hmmm - I've been following this thread on hot weather syndrome with
> great interest. Sue's last comment struck a chord with me, when she said
> "...many horses with all A's at the previous vet check have problems
> when you add more miles. The hard part is why does this happen?" I have
> two thoughts to offer here. First, I'm not sure what's physiologically
> going on, but I would bet that the issue is heat dissipation having some
> profound effect on the horse. Some horses probably have better
> circulation and other combinations of predisposition and conditioning
> that enables them to handle it, others don't do as well. The other
> thought I have is this: why not shorten the ride on these high
> heat/humidity index rides, rather than extending the hold times? I would
> bet that part of the problem is that shear length of time spent working
> in those conditions takes its toll, regardless of the pace. I think that
> ECTRA and similar CTR organizations should just allow ride managers to
> shorten the ride when the index gets to some predetermined number. Let's
> say by a distance of up to 1/4 the total ride length. This might be
> logistically difficult in terms of setting and marking trail, but this
> could be worked out by setting up the trail with a last loop running
> close to camp that could easily be lopped off. Sanctioning shouldn't be
> effected, and full mileage should be rewarded as far as points are
> concerned - after all, the horses' physical output is still comparable
> to the full distance when the conditions are like that! This could be
> done with endurance as well, although I have a feeling it would be less
> popular an idea. CTR is a conditioning contest - the distance is
> somewhat arbitrary as long as all horses do the same distance. What do
> you all think?
>
> Chelle Sherman and Mystik Star
> Plainfield, NH
>
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