Heart rate response to submaximal exercise in the Standardbred horse.

Abstract

Heart rates at rest, during submaximal exercise and during recovery from submaximal exercise, are described for 22 Standardbred horses who were actively competing in races at the time of the study. Endurance training of 2 previously unraced horses produced a reduction in heart rates at rest, during submaximal exercise, and during recovery from submaximal exercise. A method for evaluating physical fitness in the Standardbred horse is also described. Finally, a highly significant correlation was found between maximum heart rate during submaximal exercise and racing performance (r = 0.899, P =< .01). This correlation suggests that those horses with lower maximal heart rates during submaximal exercise had faster winning times in races.