Patent ID: 7062895

Claim:
Training device for an equine athlete comprising in combination: a. a monitor unit for use in training equine athletes to assist an equestrian handler in maintaining an equine athlete at desired pace or speed, the monitor unit comprising: timing means for measuring elapsed time; distance-measuring means for measuring overall distance traveled; user-programmable memory capable of storing a plurality of pacing sets comprising at least two different intervals, each interval corresponding to selected scheduled pacing information; additional memory means for storing data collected during an exercise routine; electronic coupling means to couple an input device thereto for two-way data transfer; processing means for calculating actual pace and comparing it in real time with scheduled pacing during each interval; signal means in real-time response to said comparing to alert said handler to urge faster or to retard said equine athlete, thereby to attempt to adhere to said scheduled pacing throughout each interval wherein the monitor unit is located on an apparatus selected from the group consisting of an equine-pulled driving apparatus and an equestrian saddle; and b. a docking unit capable of receiving and electronically storing exercise scheduling input data from a trainer and transferring by way of said coupling means a portion of said input data to said coupled monitor unit that is subsequently uncoupled from said docking unit to travel with said equine athlete during an exercise routine under the control of said handler said docking unit also having electronic storage means to receive performance data from said monitor unit during a subsequent re-coupling and also having processing means for data review and analysis by said trainer.