Accuracy Wrapup

Blog formula for race appropriate fracture resistance(FR):

4f in :12.5 sec./f every 7 days

(Caveat: expressed in bare minimums. e.g. the horse travels 3f in :13s and gets the :50 down the stretch--fails to qualify. Each furlong need be in :12.5. The formula presumes also control of all injury causing variables including an appropriately fit horse going in, appropriate warm up etc. The formula is posed for bone soundness only. Conjecture more is necessary for soft tissue injury prevention. Additionally note the questionable aspect of keeping the horse at bare minimums or below (see Uncle Mo, last post.))

Is the formula accurate?

A few comments ago Bill Pressey posted the only exercise physiology text of which I'm aware for equines

http://www.scribd.com/doc/35147403/Equine-Exercise-Physiology

and though I am still reading, there are some interesting statements in this that tend to support the way the above formula was put together on this blog over the last two years.

This general statement on page 89:

"There is a dynamic interaction between the loads imposed on the skeleton and the morphology of the bones at any point in time and throughout life. It is therefore important to appreciate these interactions in order to condition the skeleton for the demands of the athlete's performance and to understand the modes and mechanisms of failure."

The above a general statement that should be obvious but in the equine world, otherwise. Those paying too close attention to the analysis may recall that I had decided that the most important process, among about 6 or 7 processes, resulting from appropriate speed work was this:

realignment of fibrils/osteons and rearrangement of materials in optimum directions.

This conjecture of mine is indeed supported in the text book on page 89:

"The architectural arrangement of the materials is predominantly related to the general functional requirements of the particular skeletal elements."

"Architectural arrangement is their word for "realignment". Note the word "predominantly" that supports my supposition that "arrangement" of bone cells (fibrils) is the most important factor relating to resistance of force, although there are several others.

I'll be reading on to see if I can find support for the other FR processes, but am encouraged in an Equine textbook to see that possibly the blog was on the right track on this. So, for this post some actual science in support.

Training:
Sat: 4/2: 4 x trot gallop up and down the hill.
Sun. 4/3: Off
Mon. 4/4 10 min of getting gas for the tractor and the storm blows right in 3 hrs. early. Got in nice full speed short riderless bursts in the paddock tacked and when horse gets to bottom of hill almost jumps out of skin at first light thunderclap. Nob recalls admonition of Dennis Collins, sometimes leading jock in Nebraska when Dennis was on vacation riding in our pasture a few years back "I never ride a horse when its thundering or lightening." Nob recalls and aborts. Lose another day. Fortunately though as the minute we unsaddle all heck breaks lose with thunder and lightening.
Tues. 4/5: short burst paddock riderless speed work followed by 3 x trot-gallop up the hill. First day Nob stepped on the gas a little, and the horse performed well. Stopped after 3. We're trying to keep the horse excited about doing his work (he's lazy), and Nob thought the attitude was starting to tail off.