Summary
In this podcast episode titled "The Science of Horse Racing and Horse Physiology," the hosts and guest expert, Dr. Sarah White Springer, discuss various interesting facts about horses. They delve into the importance of proper nutrition for equine athletes and the role of mitochondrial cells in energy production. The discussion also covers the unique ability of horses to blood dope themselves through splenic contraction, which allows them to dump red blood cells into their bloodstream during exercise. The hosts and guest speculate on the potential implications for human athletes. Dr. Springer also talks about respiratory locomotory coupling, where horses' breathing is coupled to their movement, making breathing more efficient.
The conversation then shifts to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in horses and the recent incident where 21 horses died due to a mistake in the selenium dose in their antioxidant cocktail. The hosts also touch upon the issue of doping in horse racing and the various substances that are used to enhance performance. The conversation then delves into the process of building muscle strength in horses and the difficulty in separating strength and endurance training. The hosts also discuss the anatomy and training of horses for dressage and cutting competitions.
They explore the weight distribution in horses and how injuries tend to occur in the front legs due to the extra weight they carry. The hosts also discuss the importance of training harder than competing and the different levels of dressage competition. They touch on the breeding and training of cutter horses and the individual personalities of horses. Finally, they discuss the efficiency of the tendons in the back of a horse's leg and the possibility of breeding horses with more flexible backs for faster running.
Overall, the podcast episode provides a fascinating look at the science behind equine performance and the potential for human performance enhancement. The hosts and guest expert provide informative and entertaining insights into the intricacies of horse anatomy and behavior, as well as the challenges and rewards of training and competing with these magnificent animals.
