Endurance Help

[fizzywhizz]

I have just started doing some endurance rides - at the weekend my horse had a pulse rate of 42 before setting off and 40 after being presented to the vet within 30 minutes of finishing the ride.

The vet said it is often normal for them to be higher before setting off.

Anyone know the norm for a fit horse?

 

[Chico Mio]

30-40 bpm for your average adult horse.

They tend to get a bit excited at the start of a race if they are not used to it - it's all new and different.

 

[Chestnutmare]

so long as vet reckons the horse is fit and well to continue..up til the next vet gate obviously where they will check rate again...so long as you can get the heart rate back down between each gate you should be fine, pour cold water over neck, and inbetween back legs..this helps!

 

[fizzywhizz]

Many thanks for your assistance.

It was only her 2nd ride and think she was more excited this time because she enjoyed herself so much last time!

 

[Chestnutmare]

what grade did you get? i wouldve thought you'd get a grade a or b!
well done some horses do tend to get excited...

 

[DaveS]

Well done for getting such a low heart rate on your second attempt! How long was the ride?

 

[fizzywhizz]

I only did 20k pleasure ride but they still did pulse checks and vet checks. Very new to this. We did 20k in 2hrs 20 mins - average speed was 8.7k per hour or something along those lines.

Planning to do longer competitive rides next year - just wanted to get a taste for it this year.

Doing 26k at Devils Dyke on 11th September - any tips appreciated for the future.

 

[Foxglove]

My former advanced pony used to start with heart rates of 26, the vets used to ask me if she was dead!