Garmin, maker of GPS navigation and wearable technology, has launched a new product for horses: Blaze, an equine wellness system.
Blaze is comprised of a sensor that pops into a thin neoprene sleeve. The sleeve is wrapped around the base of the tail, with the sensor pressing closest to the underside of the tail.
Once paired with the Blaze app on a smartphone or a Garmin watch, the sensor then delivers live stats on your horse’s health, including their heart rate, skin temperature, and strides. (If you don’t ride with a phone or watch, the sensor still records data, and updates the information on the app once it reconnects to your device).
Other features of the product include biometric data such as changes in skin temperature, and a heat score based on AAEP guidelines and temperature and humidity pulled from local conditions.
It also provides kinetic information on the horse’s stride frequency, weather, speed and distance, the latter two which both rely on GPS data from a host phone or watch.
The sensor will also prompt alerts for certain conditions – for example, if you’re approaching a high heat score.
According to Garmin, the product is intended to “help riders, horse owners and trainers monitor their horse’s health and fitness so they can make more informed decisions about their well-being and training.”
It’s the first foray into the equine market for the longtime GPS retailer, which also makes products for automotive, aviation, marine, outdoors and sports markets.
Usage
The sensor can be used with any horse. Users can create a profile for each horse in the app, saving their data and looking at workouts over time. Each profile can be configured to specific goals – for example, a different target resting heart rate in recovery periods.
There’s also a ‘spectator mode’ that allows someone to monitor your activity – for example, a coach or trainer watching you ride – as long as they’re within a 10-metre range (it can reach farther, if conditions permit). Hosts can choose whether they broadcast their data, to allow spectators, or keep it private.
The product is meant to be put on the horse before the start of a riding session. Immediately before mounting or starting exercise, you tap your phone or watch to the sensor to start the activity – with the ability to choose from indoor training, outdoor training, recovery, or trailering. For users using the product in conjunction with a Garmin watch, starting the activity for the horse in the Blaze app will also prompt starting a horseback riding activity for the rider.
While other equine heart rate monitors exist, most are typically placed around the horse’s girth or chest. According to Garmin representatives, most horses do get used to the placement of the tail wrap.
The Blaze tail wrap fits horses with a tail circumference of 7.5-11 inches, measured at the base of the tail, meaning that it’s not suitable for small ponies.
The product is handwash only. Both the wrap and sensor can be wiped down gently with a clean cloth after use, to remove any sweat and light dirt.
Details and ordering info here.
More News
