The world of harness racing has seen remarkable advancements in Standardbred performance over the last 15 years. Race times continue to fall, prompting discussions about the contributing factors: genetic improvements in the horses themselves, evolving training methodologies, advancements in equipment, and enhanced racetrack surfaces. While scientific understanding of equine physiology has grown, its practical application in training remains a challenge. The key lies in making scientific knowledge accessible and usable for trainers, fostering adaptations that demonstrably improve performance.
Today’s Standardbred is a more genetically superior athlete than in previous decades. They are naturally more gaited, possess innate speed and intelligence, and benefit from increased human contact from birth, simplifying the breaking and training process. This is partly due to influential stallions like Meadow Skipper, who introduced a more refined, streamlined conformation, and Speedy Crown and Speedy Somolli, who enhanced the athleticism and gait of trotters. Contemporary Standardbreds often exhibit natural speed, with some trainers observing that they “fall out of their mothers pacing.” Consequently, modern trainers have transitioned into conditioners, focusing on maintaining cardiovascular fitness and soundness. As veteran trainer Harry Harvey notes, “Horses don’t require as much savvy today to train. Our title has changed from trainers to conditioners.”
Greatness in a Standardbred is defined by a combination of class and speed, but also by genetic aptitude and the mental fortitude to be a champion. Great horses are durable, tolerate stress well, and possess innate courage to overcome everyday discomforts. The reality of training is that no horse is perfect; a winning trainer excels at identifying and addressing a horse’s weaknesses. Scientists and trainers must collaborate to evaluate current conditioning practices.
A workshop at the 2006 International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology (ICEEP) highlighted the importance of quantifying workload using parameters like velocity and distance to create a workload index. Adapting training programs based on scientific methods with practical field applications is crucial. The primary goals for trainers include conditioning horses to their genetic potential, increasing fatigue resistance, improving skills, minimizing injuries, and maintaining a positive attitude. Physiologically, the respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems are key to performance.
Research indicates that maximum oxygen uptake ( and exercise capacity improve with training. While long, slow miles were once thought to be paramount for aerobic performance, more recent evidence suggests that speed training is more effective in increasing . Speed work also enhances stroke volume and lowers heart rate for a given blood flow. Skeletal muscles, bones, cartilage, and tendons also adapt, with muscles increasing aerobic capacity and speed being improved by enhancing anaerobic capacity through high-intensity exercise.
and exercise capacity are improved with training. Note that exercise intensity can continue to increase after O2max is reached. Exercise capacity represents maximum speed reached at the point of fatigue.](https://veteriankey.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/B9780721600758000307_f21-01-9780721600758.jpg)
Conditioning programs should balance aerobic capacity and strength, typically achieved with low-to-moderate intensity (60%–80% and short sessions. Prolonged high-intensity training may increase aerobic capacity but can reduce speed and increase the risk of overtraining. The principle of “overload,” gradually increasing training stress, is fundamental to improvement. However, trainers must understand each horse’s capacity to cope with stress, balancing training intensity with adequate recovery periods. Factors like the nature of the race, the horse’s fitness, available training time, facilities, and climate must all be considered.
While some training methods remain similar, modern training emphasizes building a fitness base with gradual speed increases. Horses today often jog four to five miles daily, with training miles 2-3 days before a race, followed by a day of rest after racing. Jogging at a consistent speed (11–13 mph) is crucial for conditioning. The use of GPS technology can aid trainers in monitoring speed and distance. Training miles are now performed at slower speeds than in the past, and intense “hard last quarters” are largely avoided.
| Meters per Second | Miles per Hour | Approximate Mile Time (Minutes : Seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.237 | 26:49 |
| 2 | 4.474 | 13:25 |
| 3 | 6.711 | 8:57 |
| 4 | 8.948 | 6:42 |
| 5 | 11.185 | 5:22 |
| 6 | 13.422 | 4:28 |
| 7 | 15.659 | 3:50 |
| 8 | 17.895 | 3:21 |
| 9 | 20.132 | 2:59 |
| 10 | 22.369 | 2:41 |
| 11 | 24.606 | 2:26 |
| 12 | 26.843 | 2:14 |
| 13 | 29.080 | 2:04 |
| 14 | 31.317 | 1:55 |
| 15 | 33.554 | 1:47 |
Trainers universally agree that horses are individuals, requiring personalized schedules. Patience is paramount, especially with young horses eager to go fast. Rushing them can lead to burnout and a loss of spirit. The focus is on preparing horses for their competitive level, avoiding “chasing” at major tracks if the horse is not suited, which can be detrimental.
Warm-up strategies have also evolved. Today, a low-intensity warm-up of about two miles precedes the race. Scientific evidence suggests that a warm-up accelerates oxygen kinetics and enhances aerobic metabolism, reducing time to fatigue. While past warm-up strategies differed between Thoroughbred and Standardbred trainers, current practice favors a shorter, slower warm-up. Studies indicate that a brief pre-race warm-up, approximately one hour before the race, is most beneficial.
While the principles of training apply to both trotters and pacers, trotters require a greater emphasis on relaxation and consistent conditioning to remain calm. Pacers are encouraged to be confident and competitive. Judicious use of equipment and shoeing, alongside an appropriate exercise regimen, is vital for optimizing locomotion.
Breaking Yearlings
Modern yearlings are generally well-accustomed to human contact from birth, often requiring minimal handling before training. Their innate talent is significant, making patience essential as trainers identify special individuals. Yearlings are typically started with line driving before being hitched to a jog cart, using a blind bridle and snaffle bit. Initial training involves jogging two to three miles daily at a speed that keeps them alert and focused (13-14 mph). After several weeks, a fourth mile is added, and training miles begin twice a week. The goal is to gradually decrease the mile time, aiming for a 2:40 minute mile with a faster final half and quarter.
Jogging in groups is beneficial for yearlings, helping them acclimate to passing and switching places, making the work enjoyable and promoting self-regulation. Many trainers turn horses out for a month after they are gaited and have trained a mile in 2:50 to 3:00 minutes, with horses returning to form quickly upon their return. European trainers often introduce sulkies earlier to ease the load on young horses. “Double-headers,” completing two training miles consecutively without returning to the barn, are effective for building stamina.
Preparing a horse for early-season races in June can be challenging; July is often a more realistic target for “baby” races. It is crucial to avoid negative experiences, as rushing young horses can break their spirit. Trainers find it difficult to have horses in top form at both the beginning and end of the season.
References
- Eriksson, E. (1996). The Complete Horse Book.
- Harrison, K. (n.d.). Personal Communication.
- Harvey, H. (n.d.). Personal Communication.
- International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology. (2006). Workshop on workload and conditioning.
- Jansson, H. (2005). Warm-up strategies in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation).
- Lovell, D. (Ed.). (2003). The Athletic Horse (2nd ed.).
- McCutcheon, L. J., et al. (1999). Effect of warm-up on oxygen kinetics in horses. Journal of Applied Physiology, 86(3), 987-992.
- Rogers, C. W., Rivero, J. L. L., van Breda, E., et al. (2007). Describing workload and scientific information on conditioning horses. Equine Comparative Exercise Physiology, 4(1), 1–6.
- Sylvester, C. (1996). Breaking yearlings. In D. Lovell (Ed.), Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer (2nd ed.).
- Tyler, W. S., et al. (1998). Effects of training and conditioning on maximal oxygen uptake in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, 30(S28), 150-153.
