Ridecamp: Re: [RC] More HRM stuff

At 06:46 PM 5/27/2002 -0400, Roger Rittenhouse wrote:
> Ok that enough  . we all set our own target for what we want to ask
> our horses to obtain, and develop a conditioning program to obtain
> that,
> as long as the target is within his ability.

Maybe we should have a no-riding club, eh Roger? :+/  I'm not allowed to 
ride either, tho everybody seems to expect that I'm going to.  I just have 
that simple problem of well, not being able to tack up the horse, and I 
don't think I could get on anyway.

I just wanted to comment about HRM's.  For years I used one on Weaver, and 
would set the alarm at 165.  He almost never hit it on actual rides, and 
I'd have to really push like heck in training to get him up that 
high.  Horses are smart, they learn.  Weaver will still to this day slow 
down on his own if his HR gets to that level.  I no longer need a HRM to 
ride either of my two experienced horses, they instinctively know how and 
when to go, and always recover so I don't even need it in a vet check.  Now 
we usually max out at 120-130 on rides and slow down if their rates go any 
higher than that.  I really like the Suunto watch because I can record how 
much of the ride time their heart rates are spent in my target zone, and 
think that has really helped me a lot (that, and using a gps).   I feel 
safe and comfortable on the two experienced guys, because I know how many 
years and miles they've done.  The new horse, however, I am still not sure 
of because his recoveries and working levels are already as good as the 
older horses.  So, even though I know he's physically (cardiovascularly) in 
very good shape I still want to go real slow and careful with him so that 
everything else catches up.  I can see how new people could get too eager 
and easily get carried away with a new horse that is showing really good 
recoveries.

k



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