Crucial Importance

At left a SW Research Institute image "collagen organization at the osteocyte lacunae." We need take a look at Planck on the meaning of "collagen organization."

Planck describes the situation small to large:

collagen "molecules".
collagen "fibrils"
collagen fibril "arrays".


So, at the nano level we have collagen molecules that come together to form a collagen fibril (see image last post) which, as it matures, mineralizes itself from the inside out with "hydroxyapatite (HA) minerals and H2O (water) which provides hydrogen (H) bonds for both the collagen molecules and the mineral molecules. Water helps to hold it altogether with H bonds! We add to this mix noncollagenous proteins (bone glue--again, image last post).

How does all this come together to form a fibril. "Self-arrangement" is the term used by Planck BUT I am speculating whether our exercise protocol might affect the arrangement!!!

This is just the beginning. The fibrils, being arranged by self assembly, have certain physical properties:

constituents
orientation
distribution
shape

Thus each fibril has certain percentages of organic to inorganic material (constituents) with the mineral salts within the collagen molecules having various shapes, distributions and orientation. Again, might such properties be affected by :12/f speed over mile distance by an equine?

Planck uses the term "crucial importance" to describe how all of the above in combo will affect the strength of bone material.

Training:
Sat. 12/12: second day in a row of riderless work as fast as the snow conditions allowed--about :14 speed. We stopped short of a full volume w/o.
Sun. 12/13: Though its 43 degrees and ideal conditions, appearance of the horses showed them a little ragged from two tough w/o in a row. Off.
Mon. 12/14: we go 36 hours after Sat. speed work. Well timed, I might add. Ground is crystallizing fast with strong north winds blowing in more extreme cold. This was the toughest w/o in a good long while as I deemed the horses getting back into condition after various woes of the past few months. 15 min. intermittent hard riderless. At least five 1/2 mile spurts as fast as they could go with very little rest between several--maybe 20 sec. Thus almost mile sprints in freezing mud. Art looks like a race horse. Rod, not so much.