Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [RC] Then what IS essential for a newbie?

Becky,

Yes, I agree an HRM can be a great tool and you cite one way it can be used
by a person who can recognize nuances. But I'll say again what I've said
many times before: oldbies lose their perspective. Give yourself credit,
Becky. I bet you got started without an HRM and you learned to pay attention
to your horse, right? Then you got an HRM and it was great information on
top of all that you already knew. You sound like you're pretty receptive to
the info that the horse provides.

Doing without an HRM means being conservative, but a newbie should riding
conservatively, right? By definition, a newbie is bringing along a horse new
to the discipline unless they buy a "made" horse. A newbie just doesn't have
the bank of knowledge an experienced person does, not to mention the
collection of really useful STUFF that a person in the sport has purchased
over the years.

If resources are unlimited and the tack, feed, supplements, assorted gear
(blankets and boots and such) and transport issues are taken care of, yeah
sure, buy that HRM. However, I've seen most newbies make an HRM their FIRST
purchase before investing in any of the other stuff and I'd just like to
save them a buck or two (temporarily). Sorry Steve!

I see some folks (oldbies included!) get so wrapped up with what their HRM
readout says that they don't pay attention to the living, breathing animal
they share the ride with. The newbie distance rider needs to learn to tell
without an HRM (and without a vet) when the horse "ain't doin' right."

I think the answer to Sarah's question to what IS essential is, find mentors
who have horses that show up season after season and go mile after mile and
who have minimal numbers of pulls. Find those people and watch what they do
and pepper them with questions.

JM newbie O.

Deanna


-------------------------------
Becky says:
a heart rate monitor is a great *tool* to be used in conditioning your
horse, and a great backup *tool* to verify your assessment of your horses
fitness to continue.  You cannot base your entire conditioning program or a
single event on the numbers, but I consider mine a valuable part of the
whole evaluation system.

...is he moving strong and sound?
...is he eating, drinking and well fueled and hydrated?
...is his attitude forward and 'want to go'?
...is his heart rate in a normal range?

Many times a slightly higher then normal heart rate can que you in to other
pending or potential problems before they become apparent on their own.
Especially on a new or young horse, as you are getting to know each other,
or extending the miles or increasing speed.  It definitely isn't a 'must
have', but it is indeed a 'mostly helpful' **tool** when it is used
properly.

Becky Huffman, Cleburne, Texas
www.TheOriginalSeries.com
www.BlueArabianHorseCatalog.org

"Good and Ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing
among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. "
-Aragorn, son of Arathorn


----- Original Message -----
From: Sarah W <crxtreem@xxxxxxxxx>
> I appreciate the feedback on HRM from both Liz and
> Deanna.  I, myself, am new to the world of cometitive
> distance riding and am looking for as much info as
> possible.  Not knowing any better, I was under the
> assumption that a HRM was a "must have" for me


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