Has anyone got a Horsepal?

I got sent one to test when they were trialling them. It never worked and they were going to send me a new one, but they didn’t. One of the options on the feedback form was “did not work” so hopefully they have improved them :)
 
I bought one. The readings are very interesting and proves that horses do manage their body temperature within quite wide limits.
I probably was a culprit for a little over rugging and have cut down by one light layer (from whatever I would have had on).

Problems/observations:
You need to use the web site for set up - instructions that come with it are inadequate
There is a preferred position for the sensor - about 10cm back/15cm down from wither - you need to use the adhesive pocket to achieve this, if you use the supplied lanyard your readings will be less accurate (I learnt this from the Horsepal contact before I bought the device - I asked some questions via the website). The Youtube video for attaching the sesnor is misleading.
I tested the sensor's ability to record temperature by having it in the house for a few days and it showed sensible fluctuations with my central heating!
It all worked fine for a few days on my horse and then stopped - tried loads of things and then changed battery and it worked again. Battery should last 2 years but I had seen on other feedback that the battery delivered with the device had early life failure. The batteries are not that common a size so I had to buy online (not a problem now I know).

Then it stopped working....my phone could detect the sensor but it wouldn't sync. Tried restart/removing battery etc but eventually turned off Bluetooth on my phone and restarted on phone and its been fine since. Bluetooth is not a perfect technology as there are different types of Bluetooth, some are more compatible than others (this is the extent of my Bluetooth knowledge learnt from previous battles syncing other Bluetooth devices!)

You need to attach the device to the inside layer of your rug next to his skin so you may need several adhesive pockets as once stuck on the rug, they stay there. They say it will continue to stick after washing and mine has so far. I have a plan to use patches of material and fabric glue so I don't need to buy loads of adhesive pockets.

In summary - you wouldn't need to use it all the time as once you know how your horse manages his thermoregulation at certain temperatures you will know the most appropriate rugs for your horse. I haven't tested it during turnout yet as you need to stick the patch to clean fabric so I need the temperature to be lower so my horse needs a layer under his NZ as his NZ was already in use when I got the device. It suggests you can sponge off the fabric to clean it but I'm not convinced this will be clean enough for it to stick well especially under a turn out rug.
You could share the device with a friend as you don't need to use it all the time

Happy to answer questions based on my experience to date.....and hear from other people how they have got on
 
Thank you for such a detailed reply. I'd actually forgotten about these, but I think I will suggest it as a Christmas present if anyone wants to buy me one. I just think it would be an interesting thing to see. I'm so used to monitoring myself with various types of gadget that its not a big jump to use one on the pony
 
Leo Walker said:
Thank you for such a detailed reply. I'd actually forgotten about these, but I think I will suggest it as a Christmas present if anyone wants to buy me one. I just think it would be an interesting thing to see. I'm so used to monitoring myself with various types of gadget that its not a big jump to use one on the pony
Click to expand...
A good present I would say. Let me know how it goes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top