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[RC] CRI and steths vs. handhelds - Mary HowellRegarding recent discussion on CRI, has anyone else has experienced a certain level of subjectivity in conducting of CRI's and pulse taking in general? If the trot out isn't the full specified distance, involves a slope, or the horse's 2nd pulse reading is not taken at exactly the prescribed time, the CRI could turn out 4 beats higher or lower. I guess if all horse are handled the same way, at least it's an even playing field. I do think the CRI is a great tool and more indicative of a horse's state at a given point in the ride than heartrate alone. A big, heavy horse with a 60/60 CRI may be handling the ride as well or better than a thinner-framed horse with a 52/56 CRI. But CRI's need to be done CORRECTLY to be criteria in things like BC judging. When I started CTR and endurance about 10 years ago, stethoscopes were the norm but now many rides use mostly handheld monitors. I have nothing against heartrate monitors and technology, but some horses (like mine!) have a body build that makes it harder to get a reading with a handheld and often we have to find a volunteer with a stethoscope to help move things along. Volunteers are precious and handhelds certainly do make things easier for them (it can be hard to HEAR that heartrate if you've got a lousy stethoscope or there's a brisk wind) but they convey mere numbers, not the character of the beats. With a stethoscrope, you can get a better image of how the heartrate is behaving - a steady drop or spikes. I'd be curious to hear how ride managers address the task of pulse taking and CRI's to ensure fairness. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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