Comparison of the training and gait parameters of sport and leisure warmblood horses using the Seaver device

<ns3:p>Each form of horse riding requires the appropriate level of fitness and physical preparedness, allowing work without symptoms of fatigue. The study aimed to compare the training effort and gait parameters of horses in leisure and sport riding using a monitoring device (IMU with heart rate monitor) in the environment of three training centers. Training and gait characteristics of jumping (10 horses) and leisure warmbloods (9 horses) in three training centres were investigated. The training was monitored during daily routine training using a commercial device. The following training parameters were analysed: duration, distance, intensity of training based on heart rate and time spent in each gait. Gaits are characterised by stride frequency and elevation specific to walk, trot, and canter. The influence of using type (sport vs. leisure), equestrian centre (3 levels), the horse age (as regression) on training parameters was estimated using analysis of variance. The effect of the type of use (leisure vs. sport) was significant for three training parameters and two gaits characteristics. Sport horses were trained with greater mean velocity (p=0.03) and more time spent in canter (p=0.05). Gait parameters were influenced only for the walk and trot frequency (p<0.05). The Pearson and Spearman correlations between parameters were calculated. Negative correlations between stride frequency and body elevation in analysed gaits were detected in both groups. Even the overall characteristics of the trainings need much more data, as the investigated groups provide only preliminary information in this respect.</ns3:p>