Abstract
This study was performed to apply the measurement of heart rate and velocity in training horses for assessing race performance. Additionally, we aimed to identify parameters that can be used to evaluate the training level and exercise capacity. Eleven healthy 2- to 6-year-old Thoroughbreds were trained by the standard training program and heart rate and velocity were measured by using heart monitoring system and GPS. Regression analysis in heart rate and velocity data was performed to calculate velocity parameters. The mean maximal heart rate in gallop was $214{\pm}11bpm$. The mean $V_{140}$, $V_{180}$, $V_{200}$ and $VHR_{max}$ were $13.8{\pm}4.3km/h$, $37.5{\pm}3.8km/h$, $49.3{\pm}4.3km/h$ and $57.4{\pm}7.1km/h$ respectively. The mean $V_{140}$ of high performance racehorses was significantly higher than that of low performance racehorses (P < 0.05). Moreover, analyzing the correlation between velocity parameters and racing ability-related categories showed that $V_{140}$ was positively correlated with rating (P < 0.05), $V_{180}$ and $VHR_{max}$ were positively correlated with prize money per race (P < 0.05). Also, $V_{140}$ was significantly correlated with G1F (P < 0.05). The results of this study have shown that the measurement of heart rate and velocity during training could be useful methods to assess fitness for races or performance potential. Especially, $V_{140}$ is a good parameter to evaluate a performance of racehorses in Korea.
