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    Re: [RC] [RC] Then what IS essential for a newbie? - Deanna German


    Becky,
    
    Yes, I agree an HRM can be a great tool and you cite one way it can be used
    by a person who can recognize nuances. But I'll say again what I've said
    many times before: oldbies lose their perspective. Give yourself credit,
    Becky. I bet you got started without an HRM and you learned to pay attention
    to your horse, right? Then you got an HRM and it was great information on
    top of all that you already knew. You sound like you're pretty receptive to
    the info that the horse provides.
    
    Doing without an HRM means being conservative, but a newbie should riding
    conservatively, right? By definition, a newbie is bringing along a horse new
    to the discipline unless they buy a "made" horse. A newbie just doesn't have
    the bank of knowledge an experienced person does, not to mention the
    collection of really useful STUFF that a person in the sport has purchased
    over the years.
    
    If resources are unlimited and the tack, feed, supplements, assorted gear
    (blankets and boots and such) and transport issues are taken care of, yeah
    sure, buy that HRM. However, I've seen most newbies make an HRM their FIRST
    purchase before investing in any of the other stuff and I'd just like to
    save them a buck or two (temporarily). Sorry Steve!
    
    I see some folks (oldbies included!) get so wrapped up with what their HRM
    readout says that they don't pay attention to the living, breathing animal
    they share the ride with. The newbie distance rider needs to learn to tell
    without an HRM (and without a vet) when the horse "ain't doin' right."
    
    I think the answer to Sarah's question to what IS essential is, find mentors
    who have horses that show up season after season and go mile after mile and
    who have minimal numbers of pulls. Find those people and watch what they do
    and pepper them with questions.
    
    JM newbie O.
    
    Deanna
    
    
    -------------------------------
    Becky says:
    a heart rate monitor is a great *tool* to be used in conditioning your
    horse, and a great backup *tool* to verify your assessment of your horses
    fitness to continue.  You cannot base your entire conditioning program or a
    single event on the numbers, but I consider mine a valuable part of the
    whole evaluation system.
    
    ...is he moving strong and sound?
    ...is he eating, drinking and well fueled and hydrated?
    ...is his attitude forward and 'want to go'?
    ...is his heart rate in a normal range?
    
    Many times a slightly higher then normal heart rate can que you in to other
    pending or potential problems before they become apparent on their own.
    Especially on a new or young horse, as you are getting to know each other,
    or extending the miles or increasing speed.  It definitely isn't a 'must
    have', but it is indeed a 'mostly helpful' **tool** when it is used
    properly.
    
    Becky Huffman, Cleburne, Texas
    www.TheOriginalSeries.com
    www.BlueArabianHorseCatalog.org
    
    "Good and Ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing
    among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. "
    -Aragorn, son of Arathorn
    
    
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Sarah W <crxtreem@xxxxxxxxx>
    > I appreciate the feedback on HRM from both Liz and
    > Deanna.  I, myself, am new to the world of cometitive
    > distance riding and am looking for as much info as
    > possible.  Not knowing any better, I was under the
    > assumption that a HRM was a "must have" for me
    
    
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