Riding and training horses is largely a task we do by feel and intuition. But Garmin, known for its GPS technology and innovative products for a variety of sports and activities, has just launched a wearable device for horses. With a removable sensor embedded in a comfortable tail wrap, the Garmin Blaze Equine Wellness System tracks your horse’s health markers and information, sending data to your watch and smartphone. This is the first product of its kind in the equine market, and it’s set to make waves across disciplines.
Innovative Design
The Blaze system starts with a removable, rechargeable sensor the size of a half-dollar, placed in a durable, washable neoprene wrap that can be adjusted for a perfect fit. The wrap securely holds the sensor to the skin on the underside of the horse’s tail, without irritating the horse or requiring any skin preparation.
The sensor’s battery life is up to 25 hours, and the wrap can be worn for up 10 hours continuously.
Easily paired with the Blaze Connect IQ app on your Garmin smartwatch or the Blaze app on your phone, you’ll sync your devices and instantly access a treasure trove of information about your horse, gathered and updated in real time. You can share your live stats with your trainer or friends in spectator mode. One sensor and wrap can be used on multiple horses, as you can create profiles for each one and easily select the right equine in the app.
Valuable Data
Choose from the following activities to track in the app: Ride, Recovery and Transport. While riding, you can track your horse’s heart rate, strides, gait, distance, skin temperature and changes to that temperature, and much more. You can also see the heat score in your area to determine if it’s safe to ride in current conditions. You can track your horse’s recovery as his heart rate changes, and that can be tracked while riding and in separate sessions for low-intensity wellness monitoring.
The Blaze can be used during transport to monitor your horse’s stress levels and comfort in the trailer, all conveniently accessed on your Garmin device or phone app.
After logging activity, you can view all of your data right in the app on your phone, and can easily toggle between horses.
Garmin-Backed
Blaze comes from a long line of Garmin products designed to help humans get greater enjoyment out of activities they already love. From aviation, marine and automobile navigation devices, to wearables for hiking, biking, running, swimming and other sports, Garmin has produced accurate tools that are proven to be durable in harsh conditions. Founded over 35 years ago, Garmin’s headquarters is located in Olathe, Kan., with offices worldwide.
Blaze was also tested by independent researchers at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, compared against medical-grade ECG systems. Over 100 tail wrap variations were evaluated, and it was tested at a Thoroughbred training center with more than 100 horses each day.
While developing Blaze, the device was tested in a wide variety of methods to make sure it’s both accurate and durable, holding up to impact, horse sweat, heat, cold and more.
The Blaze Equine Wellness System with tail wrap and sensor is priced at $599.99 and is available at Garmin.com.
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