Groen Equestrian comparative heart rate study

Available for any breed, any fitness level and any sport. We specifically encourage novice horses and non-typical sport horses to join this study to collect more data for ground root sports.

We need a commitment of at least 2 tests, preferably more, to monitor a change in baseline and incremental tests. Cost is minimal: a non-refundable £20 on entry which will give you your data HRmax, baseline values and if possible aerobic threshold for your first session. For anyone doing 3 or more dates, we will give you the feedback on your subsequent data for free, if you can only do 2 sessions you will only pay a £10 fee for the data analysis for the second session when you book.

Sending this form back means that you will commit to at least 2 dates 

You can use Groen Equestrian equipment to collect the data, It is possible to use your own heart rate monitor as long as it is compatible with the Horsepal app in which we will collect group data, in this case, please let us know what you use. 

Please note that the parking fee for Edgecote Gallops is £18 and is for each individual to pay per session

What can you expect and what is required when you enter this study?

Please arrive well in time for your timeslot, we will hook you up with the equipment needed (or we will check the HR monitor you brought). A "rest pulse" will be taken (which might be a little higher than normal if the horse is a little excited.

Ideally we work in pairs or with 3 combinations. together you will start the warm up which is also your baseline reading, we will start the recording as soon as the horse is tacked up. The baseline will be a walk period, a trot period on 1 diagonal, followed by another walk period and a trot on the other diagonal, a walk and canter on 1 lead with another walk and the other canter lead. We finish with a last walk and a 30-second halt at the parking area.

After this, we will progress to the hill and walk up, then trot up, and then canter up. Fit horses can have a last go and canter up at their max effort to gauge HRmax. We finish again with a 30-second halt at the parking area.

If the horse is fit enough (and this might be a 2nd or 3rd session for a less fit horse) we will perform an incremental speed test after a short rest period. The horse will increase speed each loop, starting with a trot loop, a medium trot loop, a canter loop of about 16-18 km/h and after that an incremental increases of about 2 km/h per loop. The maximum speed will be for the rider to decide and once deemed enough the horse will walk for a minute and we finish again with a 30-second halt at the parking area. Further cooling down will happen after that with the monitor still running. Only after dismounting and untacking (at least 10 minutes after max effort) will the monitor be turned off