Re: [RC] heart monitor training rates? - rrohwer Rohwer
I have recently
begun using a heart monitor for training rides. I can see how it can
really help my training.
Here's the
question - According to the literature I received with the monitor, I should
aim to get my horses heart rate between 120- 140 and keep it there for 3 -5
miles. We are doing 8 mile training rides.
Today I read that
anything above 100 is verging on anaerobic and 140 is too
high!
Help!
I am riding a 6
year old in his first year of training. We've done 2 novice and 1 25
competitive, placed 4th. His pulse tends to run high, about 11 at
rest. I am trying to see if further conditioning will drop
that.
One of the first things you need to learn about the heart monitor is that
every horse is and pretty much will be different. I have a 15 yo mare that
has been doing 50's for 7 years now. If you saw her heart rates you would
freak out. She typically runs about 20 beats higher than most
horses. I have learned that I don't even consider slowing down until the
monitor is pushing 180 and often times see it higher. Sometimes it
really alarms me. But I have also learned that if I were to freak out at
140 we would never go anywhere. 140 is right around her slow steady
trot on level ground, around 160 is her fast steady trot on level ground and she
can keep that up for miles. I know this kind of sounds insane, but the
horse does well and has never had any metabolic problems. She's just a
goer.
So, ride your horse like you have been doing. Get a feel for what is
normal. If you are climbing a hill and the horse is puffing a lot, slow
down. I have learned that where I pay most attention to my monitor is
coming into a vet check. Watching it come down, then am able to get right
to the P&R station when she is ready. That way you don't have to keep
bugging the P&R people to check your pulse.
Good luck,
Becky R - Montana & RS Picara - resting pulse around 48, have seen it
up to 200 (youch) but drops like a rock at the vet checks - pulse that is.
