DE4329437A1 - A measurement and evaluation unit for assessing the condition of animals, especially horses - Google Patents

Abstract

A measurement and evaluation unit for horses is intended to measure the heart rate and changes in the cardiac rhythm pattern automatically and without any manipulation over a lengthy period in order to demonstrate the condition of the horses for sports events. If horses are sent to a race in poor condition, which is usually not evident in good time to the keeper, they are frequently unable to win the race, and the overstrain often leads to serious accidents. This measurement and evaluation unit records the heart rate and changes in the cardiac rhythm pattern automatically in the resting periods of all tested horses over a lengthy period. It utilises a manipulation-free method with appropriate sensors and a transmitter in order to avoid falsification of the measured result due to anxiety and stress caused by frequent measurements by the veterinary surgeon or other people. The continuous evaluations of the measured values offer the keeper/rider/trainer a reliable aid for assessment of the condition of his/her horses. Use of this system results in reduced wear and loss of competition horses which are, after all, rather expensive.

Description

The invention relates to a measuring and evaluation device according to the preamble of claim 1.

In high-performance sports for people and racehorses there are measurements of pulse and blood pressure. ECG measurements can be revealing data by attaching suitable sensors (electrodes) deliver to document the state of health of humans or animals. A mobile standi Ge (daily) surveillance all year round, the training without (animal) medical manipulation condition analysis allowed, but so far not available.

The invention has for its object by means of automatic wireless measurement of specific Extract horse characteristics that clearly shed light on the current physical condition given the horses to protect them from weakness before an upcoming sporting performance. The measurement is carried out through the use of modified, but technologically easily available Facilities.

In equestrian sport, there is a problem for the keeper, in good time before a sportive one is requested To recognize animals with poor condition in order to protect them from an inevitable overload true. The prescribed veterinary controls are often incomplete. It happens again and again serious accidents due to excessive demands on the animals.

In the interest of animal protection, this facility can prevent horses from engaging in sport participate in competitions to which they are not up to and in extreme cases even victims fall. This is a very big problem that equestrian sport - especially because of this conditional negative public opinion - threatened.

This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a measuring and evaluation device in that it is designed according to the characterizing part of claim 1. After this solution, every horse or for each box a belt with an individual sensor. This can be done as an auxiliary medium the known harness of the horse can be modified in such a way that built-in electronics Measured data records and for evaluation to the evaluation computer or to a central point via radio transmits.

The belt electronics serve as a transmitter in conjunction with a multiplexer and a Evaluation computer that evaluates and displays all "data" or via modem to the central computer transfers and receives and displays evaluated data.

To implement this method, the system is used in such a way that all are taken into account find a sensor in their harness. In conjunction with a suitable Microphone and downstream amplifier can monitor the heart rate and changes in the heart rhythm. Patterns are transmitted to the central unit via the sensor.  

If the belt part (transducer) is designed as a resonance body, the heart rate can be measured directly acoustically, similar to a stethoscope, passed on and recorded and then be evaluated in the central unit.

For all measurements on the horses without human contact and thus without adulteration To be able to perform the measurements, the transducers are multiplexed by the evaluation Calculator switched on continuously during the day or night rest of the horses.

The resultant series of measurements result in a statement about the Condition of the horses and thus a decision-making aid for the owner, his horses for sporty To use competitions or not.

This procedure contributes to animal welfare in equestrian sport and to non-manipulative ones Performance measurement for sporting events.

Additional alternatives and further developments as well as further features and advantages of the invention give themselves from the further claims and also taking into account the explanation in the concern the short version, from the description below one in the drawing limited to the Essential, abstracted preferred implementation examples for the solution according to the invention, applied to horse husbandry and equestrian sport.

It shows

Fig. 1 as a belt transducer and transmitter / receiver,

Fig. 2 schematic diagram for measuring and transmitting the heart rate via multiplexer.

For the embodiment and use example of the measuring and evaluation device according to the invention chosen in the drawing the horse stable of a horse owner.

To measure the horse's heart rate, the horse should ideally have the belt around his body placed. In order to achieve an even higher level of acceptance in animals, the transducer can be placed in the Horse blanket belt can be installed.

The modified belt 1 as a transducer contains an acoustic measuring device consisting of a resonance body 2 , a microphone 3 and a subsequent amplifier 4 with a transmitting and receiving device 5 .

During rest, the horse stands or lies with its belt 1 in its box. The microphone 3 em receives, amplified by the sound box 2 , the heart sounds of the horse.

The downstream amplifier 4 delivers a corresponding signal for transmission (eg via a transmitter 5 ) to the multiplexer 6 , which is controlled by the evaluation computer 8 .

Each transducer is z. B. ver via a transmitter / receiver 5 with the multiplexer unit 6 connected, which is controlled by the evaluation computer 8 and periodically polls all transducers and transmits the measured values for evaluation and storage to the central unit 7 .

The central unit 7 essentially consists of a processor, memory module and an interface to the printer or modem.

Claims (3)

1. Measuring and evaluation device for horses for condition assessment by heart rate measurement and cardiac arrhythmia assessment using an automated procedure. 2. This measuring and evaluation device for horses is characterized in that each horse receives a sensor in the belt that is wireless, radio, infrared or ultrasound via a Multiplexer unit is connected to a central unit. The heart rate is recorded acoustically via a microphone, passed on and in the Central unit evaluated.