ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] HRM usage

[endurance] HRM usage

Alexandra (74672.737@compuserve.com)
30 Apr 96 19:24:39 EDT

Another great benefit of a heart monitor is that you can tell if your horse is
"off" when you might not know otherwise.
Once you establish what "baseline" is for your horse then you can't tell right
away when it's sick.
Last June, when the whole stable got their shots, Mirage got his at the same
time. Vet said the strangles shot would make him a little sore for a few days.
So I didn't ride Mirage for a week to let him rest. Just turned him out and
played with him.
Then after a week we went for a ride. He had no temperature, swelling or
anything. Looked great.
After we were away from the stable, I started trotting him. The monitor LEAPED
up. I thought I had it on wrong so I re-did everything to be sure. Started out
trotting again. The same thing happened. I cantered him for a bit to see what
happened.
It lowered a little, but not to his normal number. Clearly he didn't feel well.
We went right back home. He was fine in a couple of days.
It made a believer out of me.
It's another great tool to help us know when our friends don't feel well. They
can't say "Hey ya ole heffer, I'm feeling under the weather. Git off me."

Now if only I could read his mind. :-)
Then again....maybe not.

Alexandra and Mirage ( 106 degrees at 4:30. Anyone want to come and train with
us?)
Palm Springs, CA