Page 33 - Rules for Endurance Events, Effective 2007

2019 ENDURANCE RULES CHAPTER III INSPECTIONS, EXAMINATIONS, CONTROL OF
MEDICATION

821.2.3 Heart Rate Assessment Protocol

All heart rate assessments must be undertaken by a member of the FEI
Veterinary Commission.

1. Heart rate is the first parameter to be examined and recorded during the
inspection. It is an essential criterion to accurately assess the horse’s recovery
and fitness to continue.
2. Every effort should be taken to accurately record the heart rate. If the
examination of the heart rate is disrupted due to movement or excitement of the
Horse rendering the examination impossible or inaccurate, the examination is
stopped and recommenced when the Horse is settled.
3. The maximum heart rate for passing the inspection is 64 bpm or as prescribed
in the schedule.
Stethoscope Examination

1. When the Horse is presented for inspection, the stethoscope is applied to the left
side of the chest wall at approximately the level of the elbow.
2. The examiner should locate the best position to auscultate the heart i.e., where
the heart sounds are clearly audible.
3. A stop watch must be used to time the count.
4. The stop watch is started when the heart beat is audible and the count starts on
the next heartbeat. The stop watch can be stopped at 15 seconds if the count is
16 or less, at 30 seconds if the count is 32 or less. In both cases the heart rate
can be recorded at 64 bpm or less. The Inspection can then be completed.
5. If the heart rate is above 16 beats or 32 beats at 15 or 30 seconds respectively
or if the hears beat is irregular, difficult to hear or demonstrates murmurs, the
count must be continued for the full minute. The Horse may be re-inspected or
fail to qualify for the next phase.
6. Cardiac Recovery Index is recorded at each inspection and involves the
examination and recording of the heart rate as part of the metabolic assessment
of the horse. Once the heart rate has been recorded the stop watch is restarted
and the horse has one minute to trot 80 m (40 out and 40 back) allowing for a
gait assessment. At the end of the minute a second heart rate is recorded. The
difference between the first and second heart rates is the Cardiac Recovery
Index. The initial heart rate recording may be by the use of a stethoscope (as
described above) or with an Approved Electronic Heart Rate System.
7. The second heart rate recording of the CRI must be with a stethoscope. At this
examination the heart rate is recorded for up to one minute and the cardiac cycle
is examined for any pathological signs that may indicate that the horse is unfit
to continue.

FEI Approved Electronic Heart Rate Monitoring Systems:

1. When the horse is presented for inspection, the electronic HR reader is applied
to the left side of the chest wall at approximately the level of the elbow.
2. The examiner should locate the best position to record the heart rate.
3. The reader is started and the assessment commences. The system must provide
an assessment at 15 seconds, at 30 seconds, at 45 seconds and at 60 seconds.
At each assessment should the heart rate be shown to be 64 bpm or less as
defined in the Schedule then the assessment can stop and the reading recorded.
4. If the heart rate is above 16 beats at 15 seconds, above 32 beats at 30 seconds,
and above 64 beats at 60 seconds, the horse will fail the inspection and fail to
Qualify if heart rate is above 64 at the pulse re-inspection.

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