Cooling your horse down

January 09, 2019

Does a horse need to be cooled down after a workout?

Like any athlete in a race, the quick exertion of a run requires more oxygen then the body can adequately deliver so the muscles generate a substance called lactate.  Any excess lactate produced turns to lactic acid when the race is over.  By walking your horse, you eliminate the excess lactic acid that could cause sore muscles.

When our bodies perform strenuous exercise, we begin to breather faster as we attempt to shuttle more oxygen to our working muscles.  This aerobic method of generating energy works in most instances.

Some circumstances, however require energy production faster than our bodies can adequately deliver oxygen.  In those cases, the working muscles generate energy anaerobically, which allows glucose breakdown - and thus energy production. Working muscle cells can continue this type of anaerobic energy production at high rates for one to three minutes, during which time lactate can accumulate to high levels. 

Once the body slows down, oxygen becomes available allowing continued aerobic metabolism and energy for the body's recovery from the strenuous event. Walking removes any excess lactic acid that might have accumulated.

This is a very simple explanation of a very complex issue.  Exercise physiologists are actively researching delayed-onset muscle soreness in response to extreme exercise. On-going discussions actively strive for potential prevention and treatment of muscle soreness.

 




Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Connolly

LEGENDS AND LEGACY SERIES - R. WATSON
LEGENDS AND LEGACY SERIES - R. WATSON

March 24, 2023

Connolly Saddlery, in its 111th year of business, carries on its original promise of providing customers quality products and honesty about what it’s selling. Nothing is more convincing than the simple unembellished word of a satisfied customer. “I got a pair of these last week, and they are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned in my life. They are awesome. Fit like a glove from day 1!!!”

Continue Reading

Legends and Legacy - John Wayne
Legends and Legacy - John Wayne

March 16, 2023

“Courage is being scared to death - and saddling up anyway" -John Wayne   I was curious about the story behind John Wayne’s famous quote”. Why did he equate courage with riding? Insight came when I found a piece John Wayne wrote about his life growing up, lessons he learned, what they taught him about himself and how those lessons gave him the courage to manage his first bout with the big C. My instinct had been right, there was more to the story. It wasn’t the horse; it was much bigger than ...

Continue Reading

Faith, Family, and Friends with Lisa Lockhart
Faith, Family, and Friends with Lisa Lockhart

February 20, 2023

Lisa and Levee won 4 go-arounds and placed in 3 others, sky-rocketing their winnings at the 2022 NFR to $168,326 and career earnings to $3,174,378. Horses, barrel racing, awards and winnings are cherished bonuses afforded Lisa's life of Faith, Family, and Friends.

Continue Reading