The science of horse training - why old fashioned pre-race blowouts work

[hagginwood]

Nice article regarding the physical effects of blowouts, old training methods, etc. I don't know where the Dutrow cheat comments come in regarding this, but the part focusing on workout patterns is very interesting.

http://horsetrainingscience.blogspot...rd-dutrow.html

[Man o' Taz]

Nice article regarding the physical effects of blowouts, old training methods, etc. I don't know where the Dutrow cheat comments come in regarding this, but the part focusing on workout patterns is very interesting.

http://horsetrainingscience.blogspot...rd-dutrow.html

Reading Bill Nack's book on Secretariat I was amazed how they would blow him out shortly before a race...

[hagginwood]

Reading Bill Nack's book on Secretariat I was amazed how they would blow him out shortly before a race...

This method explains what set Flashpoint apart from the other contenders, and others posting to the blog recalled Secretariat as well..
In addition it explains why certain training patterns by today's trainers do not help with building stamina for horses...

"So, when the gate opens all of our colts in the Hutcheson experience splenic contraction and 30% additional red blood cells are injected into the bloodstream... More importantly, every horse in the field has a spleen full of blood that is 5-7 days old, less one big exception.

Flashpoint: he who emptied and filled his spleen with fresh RBCs just 32 hours ago."

[Vertigo]

Barbaro did this before the Preakness, didn't he? Not trying to cause speculation of the breakdown, just double checking that this is what Matz had planned (and he did it for the Derby if I recall?)

[Laurierace]

I am not so sure I agree with the science but I do think most of the points are valid. I think dumping the spleen is important but it only releases more red blood cells, not more blood so would have no immediate effect on blood volume. It takes a good five minutes or so for those extra red blood cells to circulate completely so a spleen dump out of the gate won't help during the race unless its a steeplechase. You need to do it in the post parade.

[tg]

Does anyone have an idea of how quickly the spleen reloads after it is "dumped"?

Thanks