Bone Remodeling at 12,000 lbs/sq.inch

If all the variables for our Derby prospect except speed remain equal, i.e. distance, frequency of breezing, track surface, shoes, rider skill and weight, and so on, does it make any difference how fast the horse breezes in terms of fracture resistance? How do we sift this out?

First, look at this photo again

The exercised calves have developed thicker cannons, and the researchers assume bone of superior quality. May we presume that this remodeling continues through the fractions as the speeds become faster and faster so that exercising exclusively in :12/f will produce significantly stronger bone than doing :15s. Why? Tom Ivers extracted from somewhere that racing cannon bones load up at 12,000 lbs./square inch. Consider this statement:

"Obviously, at lesser speeds we have fewer lbs./sq. inch, less concussion and less need of the bone to remodel."

It's tough to use the word "obviously" above because we're without studies. Please allow me to confide, if you're a rider, it is indeed obvious.

I may relate the experience of riding a horse down the race track at various fractions. You start out e.g. with a nice striding animal such as Redattore in "On The Muscle" at the slow gallop and you get a feathery feeling of power gliding down the track with the horses footfall. As the speed increases there is a gradual but perceptive change of the footfall of the front legs from "flicking" at the track surface to pounding, and whatever you would describe the "betweens".

At what speed does ground "flicking" end and concussive pounding begin? You start to definitely feel it on board when the horse is doing :15s. By :14s you're very definitely getting a "hit" of the front cannon onto the track surface with every stride. By :13s the hits start to jar the horse slightly, and by the time you get to :12s, well, you understand Patrick Valenzuela in the opening scenes of "On The Muscle" doing the sign of the cross as he enters the track. at :12s you both hear and feel the concussive pounding of the front cannons and also feel a definite jarring with every stride that is, shall we say, concerning, if you're on board.

So, the question becomes whether a Drysdale breezing a horse in :13s is going to get the same bone remodeling effects of a Baffert doing sub :12s. Answer to me is an unqualified "no". I'd guess, just based on feel while on board that the concussive effect of a :13 compared to a :12 is about 20% less, and thus 9600 lbs/sq. inch instead of 12,000. Let's concede that 9600 lbs/sq. inch is going to cause some significant remodeling, but, is it enough? Next Post.

Training: Finally we get out of the deep freeze today. 44 degrees supposedly though it felt more like 34. The horses after a few days off due to weather ran lightly over the hard ground in the Astride paddock. I'm moving the under tack venue to the Astride since we'll be in a complete mud mess soon elsewhere. Took me the rest of the daylight to get all the gear to the Astride, and so we'll commence, hopefully, continuous under tack work to the first race starting tomorrow on Valentine's day.