Post by harleydales on Sept 18, 2011 18:32:49 GMT -1
Well, we did it! So that's a start!
It ws a 10 mile pleasure, only an hours drive away so an ideal ride to start off again. We rode on our own, which I usually do anyway, but I wanted to more than usual today so I could really get an idea of how he is doing.
There were lots of hills, and I did feel he just didn't have the oomph he used to going up hills - at times he almost ground to a halt and I was having to push him on, which I never used to. He was fine on the flat though, and seemed happy enough to be out.
We did it in 9.4kph (around 5.8 mph) so a reasonable speed given the terrain, and his heart rate came back down nicely afterwards so I know his cardio/vascular system is doing OK.
BUT about 40 mins after we'd vetted, so maybe an hour after coming back to the venue, he had muscle tremors - and had 2 rugs on, so wasn't cold, it was definitely muscle. To say I was disappointed was an understatement! I brought him home, and by the time we got home he was too hot
.
He did 4 piddles - well 3 piddles and a 'park', so as soon as we were on number 3 I was getting a bit wary as this can be a sign of an episode.
Turned him out naked for a roll etc, then rugged him in a medium rug about an hour and a half later, no tremors or shakes. I went back out just after 7 to feed and took the rug off to check - and again, no tremors or shakes - HURRAH!! Rugged him back up and left him to it, and we'll see how he is tomorrow - whether he is shaky, whether his muscles are hard etc.
All in all I'm happy enough, but not convinced somehow that it is the right job for him any more! The next ride is in 4 weeks, and it is a ride he's done many times before at all stages of fitness, from being a 4 year old in his first season to being a 40 mile fit muscle machine, so it'll be very interesting to see how he copes.
So far so good though I think
It ws a 10 mile pleasure, only an hours drive away so an ideal ride to start off again. We rode on our own, which I usually do anyway, but I wanted to more than usual today so I could really get an idea of how he is doing.
There were lots of hills, and I did feel he just didn't have the oomph he used to going up hills - at times he almost ground to a halt and I was having to push him on, which I never used to. He was fine on the flat though, and seemed happy enough to be out.
We did it in 9.4kph (around 5.8 mph) so a reasonable speed given the terrain, and his heart rate came back down nicely afterwards so I know his cardio/vascular system is doing OK.
BUT about 40 mins after we'd vetted, so maybe an hour after coming back to the venue, he had muscle tremors - and had 2 rugs on, so wasn't cold, it was definitely muscle. To say I was disappointed was an understatement! I brought him home, and by the time we got home he was too hot
.He did 4 piddles - well 3 piddles and a 'park', so as soon as we were on number 3 I was getting a bit wary as this can be a sign of an episode.
Turned him out naked for a roll etc, then rugged him in a medium rug about an hour and a half later, no tremors or shakes. I went back out just after 7 to feed and took the rug off to check - and again, no tremors or shakes - HURRAH!! Rugged him back up and left him to it, and we'll see how he is tomorrow - whether he is shaky, whether his muscles are hard etc.
All in all I'm happy enough, but not convinced somehow that it is the right job for him any more! The next ride is in 4 weeks, and it is a ride he's done many times before at all stages of fitness, from being a 4 year old in his first season to being a 40 mile fit muscle machine, so it'll be very interesting to see how he copes.
So far so good though I think
I can imagine how thrilled you are that you did it yet also concerned and a bit disappointed over the shaking afterwards. It is such a rollercoaster ride, isn't it? 
