Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Nell Lindquist wrote:
> I have a really hard time using a
> stethoscope to listen to my horse's heart rate.

One thing I did find recently, was that the ear-pieces
have a "right" and "wrong" way around. If they are in
your ears the wrong way, it obscures the sound a lot.
So start by seeing if yours is like that - switch the
ear pieces around to see if you hear more one way or
the other.

>  I have practiced ...and I still have difficulty hearing
> the heart beats...

You could try lunging the horse first, to elevate
the heart rate. It's a lot easier to hear when it's
actually beating (instead of the horse being in
"comatose" state with a 28 HR).

Once you know what you're listening for, it makes it
easier to find it when it's slower.

> I hear hair scratching, joints creaking (mine), lungs whooshing, etc.

:)

> my cat was highly offended though and wouldn't stand for it.

<snicker> Lucky to get away with your hands intact.

> is there some trick to holding the scope, so you don't hear your
> own knuckles creaking, etc.?

I try and use one finger to hold it there - that seems to
help get rid of some of the "finger against the steth"
background rustling.

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Lucy Chaplin Trumbull
elsie AT foothill DOT net
Repotted english person in Sierra Foothills, California
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  


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