A lot really depends on whether you’ll
be using it just for the horse, or for you as well. If you (not the horse) do
any kind of real training (like running, cycling, etc), the ONLY way to know
for certain that you are working at the appropriate aerobic level is with a
HRM. If you think you’ll want to do that, then a unit with a high/low
alarm is very useful so that you don’t have to keep looking at the
watch. Plus, a chronometer function so that you can time your workout, and a
watch function so that you know when you’re late for work or dinner.
Now, for the horse – alarms are
worthless and a pain, so even on the elaborate HRMs, I never activate them…it
always seems like they’re going off at the wrong time. If you train
scientifically, then the models that store the HR readings for download into a
computer are useful. However…I have one such unit and never download the
data. I kind of memorize the readings and the next time I ride, compare that
day’s readings against my memory.
So, for horse-only use, the
expensive/elaborate ones are not worth the money except for unusual
situations. I like models with large characters (easier to read), a
nightlight, and a watch/chrono function. Since I like to know what kind of
elevation gain/loss we do during a training ride on a new trail, I like to have
an altimeter, but that’s a “nice-to-have”.
Costco.com right now has a great price on
an excellent human-only HRM from Omron (excellent manufacturer) for $38. Find
a set of horse transmitter/electrodes for maybe $40 and you’re good to
go. Get the new waterproof ones where you can’t change the battery, they
are much more robust than the older style.
Mike Sofen
From: Suzi Maiorisi
I had a really good
month in November and I'm ready to invest in a HRM...there are LOTS of
choices out there and being new, I'd like to know what I'm getting before I
buy. My technological side says get all the bells and whistles, but I
also wonder just how much I'd use all that in real life. Any ideas would
be appreciated.
