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Equine Stats Here!
Happ's first (We had so much fun, will it become an annual event???) Mini Macro Marathon was absolutely a great day. We had a wonderful time.
Every horse was measured at the withers, as ADS requires, which threw a few of the miniature drivers new to the Combined Driving world a real curve! Some were worried about the measurements being seen and then having issues in the breed show ring, so we deleted the drivers' and equines' names from our published statistics. At least now they know their height in inches and in centimeters, which is how horses are to be entered in ADS events. Each horse was also stepped up on the scales for accurate weights. Not a single horse had an issue, not one complained-they each walked on willingly and stood quietly for their weight to be read. We did, however, have a few issues with the humans when we weighed them with their vehicles!! Aw, come on guys, it was all in the name of scientific research and a good cause!!!!
Dr. Patrick Roden was our vet for the day. He went into each horse's stall first thing in the morning to get a true base line pulse, respiration and temperature on each animal. We did have a few horses get agitated with the process, (maybe when you are that little, the thermometer seems bigger!) and it was so noted on their statistics.
We gathered information on each animal's training regimen and the type of wheels on the vehicle they were pulling. Volunteers were in place and we were ready to go-a FULL 3-section marathon for miniatures was under way.
All horses did a 4.275km Section A (well, except for one little mare whose driver got lost and took her an extra 1.25-1.5km!) and a 1km Section D. Section E was 4.083km for Training, 4.299km for Preliminary, and 4.434km for Intermediate-the difference being just the distances in the hazards. We used ADS speeds (we used 3.5kph walk speed for the Training and Preliminary levels as ADS does not have a walk speed for them). We gathered stats again at the end of Section D and after a 10-minute rest before going out on Section E. At the end of Section E, stats were taken, and then again after 10- and 30-minute rests. We found it was too much for one vet and two helpers gathering all the stats, including temperatures, so we skipped a few of the 10-minute callbacks after Section E. We went with only the 30-minute on some horses as we felt it was more important as it would better show each animal's recovery time.
A few horses came in a little sweaty at the end of Section E. None came in lathered as I have seen horses and ponies do at our, and other, CDEs. None were distressed or exhibited any signs to cause even slight worry. Many came back for the 30-minute check at the end of Section E as a formality for us and for the purposes of the statistics we were gathering. There was no "need to see them again". Again, at our and other CDEs where I have volunteered, I have witnessed the vet call for horses to be brought back to be seen again due to some concern for the horse.
I have been saying the minis are tough little horses. They have sure impressed me with their heart and ability. Many of these miniature horses pull 1 ˝-2 times their own weight. "Big" horses and ponies do not do that! In my opinion, miniatures can handle a full 3-section marathon. They can go the distance-perhaps easier than their larger counterparts!
I am writing my letter to ADS and have been/will be communicating with several ADS officials and committee members. I am including the complete statistics we gathered in my correspondences. I will be asking for changes to the ADS rules that I feel are appropriate. Hopefully if you have an opinion to express, you will do so through the appropriate channels…………our stats are available for your use. You may site them or copy them from our website.
Results Spreadsheet
Thanks everyone--
Ken and Maureen
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