Horsepal Heart Rate Monitor

The Horsepal app connects with Horsepal devices so you can track and record your horse’s training and Horse Vitals in one place. With the app, you can:

• Track rides with GPS, including time, speed, and distance
• View heart rate in real time during and after rides
• Review gait and performance data
• See recovery and average heart rate
• Record temperature and humidity conditions
• Store and track Horse Vitals over time
• Manage multiple horses in one account
• Log appointments, health records, and training sessions
• Run fitness tests to build and track conditioning programs
• Review detailed ride data in the dashboard

The app records and displays data. It doesn’t replace your own judgment or your veterinarian’s advice.

Consistent phone placement helps with accurate gait analysis and ride tracking. Mounting your phone in a fixed position gives more reliable data than carrying it in a pocket.

Heart rate shows how hard your horse is working and how they respond to training. By tracking it during and after rides, you can:

• Monitor effort in real time to see how hard your horse is working
• Compare similar rides over time to see how your horse’s fitness is changing
• Adjust workload based on how your horse responds, not just how it feels

If your horse can do the same work at a lower heart rate, that can be a sign of improving fitness. Every horse is different, so talk to your veterinarian or trainer about the right intensity for your horse’s age, health, and level of work.

Improving fitness starts with consistency and gradual progression.

1. Establish a baseline
Track your horse’s:

• Average working heart rate
• Peak effort during training
• Recovery time after exercise

2. Train at the right intensity
Use heart rate to help keep your horse working at an appropriate effort level. Too low may limit fitness gains, and too high may increase the risk of fatigue or overtraining.

3. Progress gradually
As fitness improves, your horse may handle the same workload at a lower heart rate and recover faster. This can be a sign it’s time to increase workload gradually.

4. Watch trends over time
Improved recovery, a lower heart rate for the same work, and consistency across rides are all signs a training program is working.

Check with your veterinarian before starting or changing a conditioning program, especially for horses returning from injury or illness, older horses, and horses with health conditions.

Recovery rate is how quickly your horse’s heart rate returns toward normal after exercise. It is one general indicator of fitness. As a general guideline from Horsepal:

• A fit horse’s heart rate may drop by 20–30 beats per minute (bpm) within the first 5 minutes after stopping work
• Most horses may approach 60 bpm or lower within 10–15 minutes, depending on intensity

A slower drop can have many causes, including fatigue, dehydration, heat stress, or lower conditioning, and sometimes a health problem. Recovery varies from horse to horse, so compare your own horse’s results over time rather than against other horses. If recovery seems slow or unusual, consult your veterinarian.

Horsepal lists these general ranges for an adult horse:

• Resting heart rate: 28–44 beats per minute (bpm)
• Temperature: 99.0°F – 101.5°F (37.2°C – 38.6°C)

Normal varies from horse to horse, so it helps to record your horse’s own baseline while they are healthy. Your veterinarian can tell you what’s normal for your horse. If a reading is outside the usual range, or your horse seems unwell, contact your veterinarian.

For most horses, checking vitals a few times a week is enough to establish a baseline. Check more often when workload, environment, or health concerns call for it:

• Daily: during heavy training, extreme weather, travel, or competition
• Weekly: for general wellness monitoring
• Before & after rides: to track effort and recovery
• Any time something seems off: even subtle changes are worth checking

Ask your veterinarian how often is right for your horse.

An elevated heart rate can simply mean your horse is working hard. If it happens at rest, or is higher than usual for the work being done, it may point to something else. Common causes include:

• Exercise or exertion
• Stress or excitement
• Heat or dehydration
• Pain or discomfort
• Illness

If your horse’s resting heart rate stays above their normal baseline, especially along with a higher temperature or changes in behavior, contact your veterinarian.

The Horsepal Equine Health Check Kit lets you measure and record your horse’s heart rate and temperature. Used regularly, it can help you:

• Learn what’s normal for your horse
• Notice changes from your horse’s baseline
• Share your readings with your veterinarian when you call

The kit is a tool for monitoring and record-keeping. It can’t tell you what is wrong with your horse. If you’re concerned about your horse, call your veterinarian right away rather than waiting for readings to confirm it.

No. Horsepal products are for monitoring and recording information. They should not be used to diagnose a condition or take the place of veterinary care. Always consult your veterinarian about your horse’s health, training program, and any concerns. In an emergency, call your veterinarian immediately.