Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Heartbelt vs. hand-held

Jim:
Thanks so much for sharing this information.  This is what I have been
thinking about doing, and this gives me a clearer direction to go in.

I love it when these valuable jewels of information show up every once in
awhile!

Thanks again.

Happy trails,
Sarah & Saffire & Tawny
Abbotsford, BC Canada
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Holland" <lanconn@xxxxxxx>
To: "C. Eyler" <eyler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 10:06 AM
Subject: Re: [RC] Heartbelt vs. hand-held


> Cindy..
>
> I played around with this for quite a while.  I have difficulty hearing
> a horse's heartbeat thru a Stethoscope, especially if there is a lot of
> activity going on around us, plus all the washing, moving around, etc.,
> so I really needed a better way.
>
> Really liked the "handle" electronic monitor, but didn't like the fact
> that it required a full time pair of hands to use it...basically an
> electronic stethoscope. Somebody had to quit crewing and check
> periodically to see if pulse criteria had been reached. Also, in some
> cases, had to use gel for it to give me a good reading, plus each time
> you checked, had to wait 8-10 seconds to get a pulse all over again. OK
> for vet check pulse takers, but wanted something better for crewing.
>
> Another problem is that if the horse is moving around a lot, it's
> difficult to get a good pulse reading with a handheld or a stethoscope.
>
> At the AERC Convention in 2000, spent some time talking with Steve
> Elliott about exactly what I wanted.  The heartbelts (at least the ones
> I've seen) have a little styrofoam "post" attached for you to strap a
> wristwatch style monitor on which will receive from the transmitter in
> the belt. Actually, the first belt I bought didn't have a
> transmitter...I made one using the belt and velcro, scavenging a
> handheld. Much better, but I wanted a watch integrated into the belt.
> After some discussion, Steve and I "built" what I wanted...bought a belt
> with a transmitter and a watch, tore off the "post" and attached the
> watch directly to the belt with velcro, making it smaller and more
> compact, with less chance of losing the watch. The belt is elastic and
> has velcro to adjust to the size of the horse's girth, and a quick
> relase twistlock. The watch has an alarm that will "beep" when the pulse
> critera you set is reached.
>
> NOW I when I arrive at the vet check, one of us drops the tack, the
> other slaps on the belt, pushes the button, and we sling water.  Never
> look at it.  When I hear the beep, drop everything and head for the
> pulse taker. Takes 8 seconds to give me the first reading, then it's
> dynamic after that. Never use gel as long as the horse is wet....and he
> will be if you're washing, anyway.
>
> One other good thing about the belt. It tells you "how" the horse's
> pulse is behaving. I'm expecting a steady drop from the first reading to
> criteria, and by experience, I know how long that takes for
> Sunny...what's "normal" for him.  If he "hangs" somewhere for a minute
> or so, or is "bouncing", it's immediately obvious, and that's "warning
> bells" to ease up.
>
> Joan loves the thing...and uses it to help lots of other crews when I'm
> out on a loop. My ride buddy Flinn has one....wouldn't be without
> it...and after Biltmore, betcha my other ride buddy Penny Sharpe has one
> by next year! :)
>
> You might check with Steve Elliott or Roger Rittenhouse if you're
> interested. Might make them like mine now.
>
> Couple of things:
>
> I ALWAYS pull tack....therfore hooking up the belt is easy. If you
> choose NOT to pull tack, it's more difficult to use the belt....and a
> handheld as well, of course.
>
> I sometimes use mine to hold my rump rug on when needed. Also, at some
> of the big rides in the SE, we may end up crewing some distance form P
> and R. If it's hot and humid (which is most of the time in the SE) the
> horse may gain a beat or two in the walk to P and R. If there's a line,
> it's a good idea to recheck before entering to avoid a "go-around".
> Heartbelt makes this easy. If you do this, out of courtesy to the pulse
> taker, you should flip the watch over so the pulse taker can't see it,
> or just take it off and hang it around your neck as you enter P and R.
>
> Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic
>
>
>
> > "C. Eyler" wrote:
> >
> > What are the pro's and con's of using a heartbelt versus a hand-held
> > wand HRM for monitoring while at vet checks?  Is it as simple as:  if
> > you have crew, get the wand, but if you're on your own, get the belt?
> > Or, are there other issues to consider?
> >
>
>
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 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

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

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