Post Breeze/Race Remodeling VI: Significance Of The Subsequent Event

Last post theorized speed work producing a compactive mineral lattice event within the cannon bone lasting 3-5 days and a bone glue effect lasting 2-3 weeks. For reasons laid out in these posts, the assumption is that the various "effects" or changes resulting from the speed work create a temporary increase in bone tissue strength. Consider simultaneously my speculation that each speed event (for the carefully trained horse) also creates 1% diffuse cell damage or destruction spread throughout the bone.

This brings me to the point of what is going to happen when we send our horse back out.

We know a little( instead of a lot) about what major trainers do these days from the event to the next speed work. Lukas in 1989 would wait 3-4 days to the next track "jog" or gallop and 8-10 days to the next speed work. In contrast, Plecher under ideal circumstances likes to wait 3 weeks to the next speed work. There is very little info on what sort of track work is done in the interim--speed work to speed work-- except in the case of Lukas (who was documented in the Ross Staaden book.). As a side note, I find it fascinating that in 2009 that we know so little.

Two questions to consider carefully post event. What may happen if we:

1. Conduct the next speed work within 3-5 days.
2. Fail to send our horse back out in this period.

First, what occurs if the horse post event 4 days later breezes a Preston Burch mile in 1:45 or something less all the way down to a conservative 3f in :39.

3f in :39 would be insufficient to cause additional remodeling (it takes a minimum of 4f in :50 for this.). HOWEVER, consider that the horse will be going into that :39 with (theoretically) a slightly compacted lattice and tighter bone glue! Would even a work as conservative as a :39 reinforce the residual effect of the last prior speed work?

I'd have to think in the affirmative, that a :39 is enough to extend compactive remodeling effects that are the residue of the prior speed work to the point there is reinforcement. The mineral lattice will cease its rebounding and be hit with new compaction, and the bone glue will remain tight.

Extrapolate from this, lesser effects for slower speeds down to a routine 1.5 mile gallop where, at some point in the speed/distance equation, the "effect" reaches zero in terms of keeping the lattice compacted and bone glue tight? Take a stab, based on what we understand about concussion at various speeds, that :15s or less will have little to insignificant impact in keeping bone material tamped down. As speed reduces, ground pounding and concussion gradually transform to ground flicking with very little concussion.

May we conclude that if we send the horse out for speed 4 days post event, the faster we go, and the longer we go, the more dramatic "reinforcing effect" we get in terms of what has gone on before!

Training:
Wed. 4/22 Art gallops back and forth over the dry part of the track 4 x 2.5f slow with some trot-walk between. Rod off due injury to sole right hind. With ground drying, Rod back in business tomorrow.