Ruxbury tracker continuously monitors the heart rate. This is measured in “beats per minute (BPM)” and it indicates the heart effort expressed by number of heart contractions per minute. The bigger the effort the higher will be the heart rate figure.
The heart rate is a good indicator of overall fitness: if the same exercise can be done at a lower heart rate (than before) then it indicates improved fitness.
During exercise, a horse’s heart rate increases to deliver oxygen and energy to the muscles. This increase in heart rate is proportional to the exercise’s intensity. The heart rate can be categorized into distinct zones. These zones, numbered from 0, 1 to 5, represent increasing intensity levels.
A horse’s heart rate at rest is 25 to 40 BPM on average. However, it can vary a lot due to excitement, fear, etc. A low resting heart rate indicates a good physical condition and relaxation, while a high resting heart rate is usually associated with overtraining, illness or a poor physical condition.
During a physical effort or training, the horse’s heart rate increases significantly. The maximum heart rate of a horse, i.e. the heart rate that a horse cannot exceed, is normally around 218 BPM, but higher figures up to 240 BPM have been reported.
The heart rate zone is a summary figure translating the heart rate into a figure in the range 0 to 5. Looking at times spent in different time zones simplifies the evaluation of a training sessionas compared to looking at the heart rate curve.
Take care when exercising in zone 5 – this can result in extreme fatigue, so work in this zone must be carefully controlled.
In human training there is a distinction between aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen) training. Applying the same terminology to horse training, zones 1 – 3 are considered aerobic and improve oxygen uptake and endurance. Zones 4 and 5 are considered anaerobic where the body relies on energy release which does not require oxygen. This results in a rapid energy release which cannot be sustained for extended periods.
The default maximum heart rate in Ruxbury app is 200 BPM, but you shall adjust this figure in a horse profile when you have learned the maximum heart rate from training sessions.
Ruxbury calculation of a heart rate zone uses the median heart rate in a one-minute interval and compares this value to the maximum defined heart rate for your horse to derive a zone number in the range 0 to 5. This calculation is repeated every 30 seconds.
In Ruxbury app, the time spent in different time zones is displayed in the session view, look for the graph tab icon, where the times in different time zones are shown at the bottom of the screen.
The time distribution in heart rate zones is a tool to assess the intensity of a training, and to review the training progress: a horse that has improved will spend less time in high zones for the same level of intensity.
How to use the heart rate data?
- Establish the current baseline fitness level.
Establish baseline fitness level in the first weeks by monitoring the heart rate at current exercise levels for several weeks.
- Understand the goal.
Define a training goal – e.g. endurance, muscular strength, etc. - , and select the zones which focus on your goals. Evaluate progress towards fitness goals by looking at the heart rate (incl. avg. heart rate): A lower heart rate at the same exercise intensity (i.e. the exercise becomes easier for the horse) indicates better fitness.
- Increase load in target zones, monitor data.
Over a period of several weeks increase load in target zones.
Regularly monitor your horse’s heart rate data both during and after workouts. Make sure the horse is working at the correct intensity level.
After an exercise you may measure how quickly the horse’s heart rate returns to zone 1. If the heart rate does not come down to zone 1 within two minutes of completing zone 4 exercise, the horse may not be adequately adapted to the current level of training intensity. Reduce work intensity for the next training session.
- Evaluate Progress
Track changes in your horse’s heart rate to gauge progress towards your training goals. During high-intensity exercise, note whether the heart rate is lower than before, indicating improved fitness.
To measure progress, repeat the same exercise each week for several weeks, keeping the duration, gaits, patterns, and recovery times consistent. A decrease in the horse’s heart rate from, say, week 1 to week 4 indicates improved fitness. When analyzing the data, consider external factors that may affect your horse’s heart rate. An unusually high heart rate may result from stress or weather conditions unrelated to exercise factors.