SCALA RIDER BLUETOOTH TEAMSET - Scala Rider -

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...and to get a horse fit can be a real battle.
It requires self discipline from you and a lot of hard work for both, you and your horse.

What does fitness actually mean?

A horse shows no signs of distress during work and is able to do the tasks you ask for. Its health status is not affected by doing a certain distance at a certain speed. After work it should soon breathe normally again and look happy and not distressed.

If it is heaving and sweating thoroughly even after 15 - 20 minutes, its not fit and needs a carefully adjusted exercise plan.

What factors should be monitored and measured?

There are three physiological factors, which can easily be monitored: pulse rate, respiration rate and body temperature.

The pulse rate reflects the heartbeat rate and is measured by placing two or three fingers (not the thumb!) of one hand underneath the lower jawbone, where the artery crosses the bone. Count the number of beats per minute. The normal resting pulse rate is 30 - 40 bpm (beats per minute). In fit horses during trotting phases it can go up to 150 - 180 bpm. and decrease after a 10 -15 minutes rest to around 40 - 50 bpm.

The respiration rate is measured by counting breathing intervals (= one in- and one expiration movement) per minute. It needs a bit of practice to monitor movements and time at once. The normal breathing rate at rest is around 10 - 20 breaths per minute.

The third factor, the body temperature is usually measured rectally with a thermometer. Normal temperature n a horse is around 37*C.

The shorter the time it takes for the horse's pulse and respiration rate to fall from the high rates achieved when working hard to the rates applying at rest, the fitter is the horse.

Grass is the basic feed for a horse, but it won't become really fit on a sole grass diet. Weight control and an individually adjusted diet are crucial. But an overweight horse will struggle to pull a carriage and you or even a few passengers and being far too heavy. Health problems are pre programed. You need to follow an exercise regime to get your horse slowly and steadily fit.

Dr.med.vet. Ellen Schmidt

I am a veterinary surgeon living and working in Scotland, United Kingdom. My passion are horses and horse driving for pleasure and recreation. In my spare time I am creating and writing on my website http://www.discover-horse-carriage-driving.com This is an "Infoport" for hobbydrivers and horselovers who would like to get expert information about most aspects of equine driving.

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