AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore7
With the Kentucky Derby this past weekend, it’s the most exciting time of year to be a horse enthusiast. Whether you handled to make it to Churchill Downs or you tuned in at home, you might be feeling inspired to get your own horse in better shape for the summer. try these real racehorse inspired training ideas to get your wannabe Secretariat performing at their best. before you start conditioning your horse, it’s a good idea to set a specific, sensible goal. Kentucky Derby hopefuls gradually work up to the 1-1/4 mile distance over time until they build up both speed and stamina. That way, by the time race day comes around, running the track feels just like another training session. Your goal doesn’t need to be quite as intense. If you and your horse are not yet on a training routine, a goal to train 3-5 times per week can be a great start.
Get into a routine of inspecting your horse’s heart rate before, during, and after training. Kentucky Derby fitness instructors get very familiar with their horse’s baseline heart rate, which varieties from 30 to 40 beats per minute (BPM) for the average horse, and maxes out at 220-250 BPM.
During every training session, fitness instructors monitor their horse’s heart rate and goal to keep it in the aerobic zone for the majority of the session. In the aerobic zone, your horse’s heart rate is at just 70-80% of their maximum, enabling their body to take in enough oxygen to keep up with their movement.
For short periods of time, your horse’s heart rate can reach the anaerobic zone at 80-90% of their maximum heart rate. In the anaerobic zone, your horse’s muscles use lactic acid, rather than oxygen, as fuel. keeping your horse’s heart rate below their maximum delays the onset of tiredness and prevents muscle cramps so your horse can train longer and gradually build up stamina. end the workout with a cooldown exercise at 60-70% to promote recovery.
Finally, fuel your horse with a healthy, forage-based diet with the addition of grains if they’re in need of extra calories. Omega fatty acids like those found in Grizzly Omega aid are a great source of slow-burning energy and can also secure your horse’s joint mobility at any age. As horses can be sensitive to dietary changes, seek advice from your veterinarian for help with getting your horse on an proper diet that matches their individual needs and activity levels.
To help you and your horse get a strong head start on spring conditioning, we’re giving away a $250 shopping spree in the month of May.
Enter the 1-800-PetMeds® Kentucky Derby shopping Spree Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $250 gift certificate that you can use to shop for horse fundamentals like grooming tools, treats, supplements, and a lot more on 1800PetMeds.com.
The 1-800-PetMeds® Kentucky Derby shopping Spree Sweepstakes runs from Tuesday 05/04 through Monday 05/31. everyone who comments from 5/4 to 5/31/21 is eligible to win. To enter, leave a comment below. The winner will be randomly selected and notified on June 1st.
Win A $250 1-800-PetMeds® gift Certificate!Get a head start on spring training with your horse! let us know below how you help keep your horse conditioned and in shape and you could win a $250 gift cerfificate from 1800PetMeds! The winner will be selected at random on 6/1/21, so everyone who participates has a chance to win! (Limited to residents of the U.S.) good luck!
This contest has ended. Congrats to our winner Athena Graeme and her daughter and pony! This contest has ended, but be sure to check out our June giveaway and learn everything you need to know about summer grooming for your horse.