Impact of training load on the heart rate of horses

Abstract

In our work, we analyzed the effect of training load on the heart rate of horses in a simulated load by the loading regulator for horse motion Horse Gym 2000. In the experiment were observed 8 Slovak Warmblood horses (3 mares, 4 geldings, 1 stallion) aged 6-10 years. The experiment was divided into two parts after three weeks. The speed of the tested horses was 4.9 km/h in the first part of experiment, in the second part was the speed 5.2 km/h with a gradual uphill up to 7 %. The tested horses achieved during the experiment an average heart rate level below 70 beats a minute, which is a light load. The maximum values of heart rate were recorded at 120 to 147 beats/min. Differences between tested horses in the values of heart rate were not statistically significant. After three weeks we recorded in the values of average and maximum heart rate onset of bradycardia, which is documented the adaptation of body to the specified load.

Keywords

• heart rate
• horse
• load
• training
• horses