Best Horse Heart Rate Monitor

Choosing the Best Heart Rate Monitor for Your Horse

A horse heart rate monitor can help you understand how your horse responds to exercise, monitor recovery after training and establish what is normal for your individual horse.

The best heart rate monitor for you will depend on how you plan to use it. Some riders want to monitor heart rate during training, while others need a quick way to check heart rate from the ground. Features such as a live display, ease of use while riding, app connectivity and the ability to record training data can all be important.

HORSEPAL has been designed specifically for horses, with different options for monitoring heart rate while riding or from the ground.

What Should You Look for in a Horse Heart Rate Monitor?

When comparing horse heart rate monitors, consider how easily you can see your horse’s heart rate, where and when you want to use the monitor, and what information you want to record.

For training, being able to see your horse’s heart rate while riding can help you understand how hard your horse is working and how quickly they recover. For health checks, being able to take a heart rate from the ground can help you establish your horse’s normal resting heart rate.

A useful equine heart rate monitoring system should provide consistent live heart rate readings, be practical to use around horses and make it easy to record and review your horse’s data over time.

Different Ways to Monitor Your Horse’s Heart Rate

Horse heart rate monitors can be used in different ways depending on whether you are riding, training from the ground or carrying out a health check.

The HORSEPAL Heart Rate Monitor can be used with the HORSEPAL Training Belt while riding. The monitor is positioned in front of the saddle so the rider can see the horse’s live heart rate during exercise.

For checks from the ground, the same Heart Rate Monitor can be attached to the HORSEPAL Electrode Handle, allowing you to check your horse’s heart rate without putting on the Training Belt.

This means one heart rate monitor can be used for both training and everyday health monitoring.

HORSEPAL vs Other Horse Heart Rate Monitors

There are several approaches to monitoring a horse’s heart rate. Some systems are designed primarily for use during ridden exercise, while others are intended for quick health checks from the ground.

When comparing systems, it is worth considering whether you can see the heart rate without relying on your phone, whether the same monitor can be used both while riding and from the ground, and whether you can record and review the results over time.

HORSEPAL combines a heart rate monitor with a built-in display and interchangeable accessories for ridden training and ground-based checks. Heart rate and training information can also be recorded in the HORSEPAL app.

HORSEPAL vs Garmin Blaze and Polar Horse Heart Rate Monitors

There are several equine heart rate monitoring systems available, and they use different technologies and methods to collect and display your horse’s heart rate.

Garmin Blaze is an equine wellness system that uses an optical heart rate sensor positioned on the underside of the horse’s tail. It can monitor real-time heart rate, strides, gait and distance, as well as changes in skin temperature. Results can be viewed through the Garmin Blaze smartphone app or on a compatible Garmin smartwatch.

Polar offers several equine heart rate products. Its riding system uses electrode contact to measure heart rate during exercise, with readings displayed on a compatible Polar training device or mobile app. Polar also offers the Equine Health check for measuring resting and recovery heart rate from the ground. 

HORSEPAL uses electrode-based heart rate monitoring and has a built-in digital display, allowing the horse’s heart rate to be viewed directly on the monitor. With the HORSEPAL Training Belt and Extension, the monitor can be positioned within the rider’s view during exercise. The same Heart Rate Monitor can also be attached to the HORSEPAL Handle for quick checks from the ground. Heart rate and training information can also be recorded in the HORSEPAL app.

This means the three systems take different approaches, so horse owners should consider where they want to measure heart rate, how they want to view the reading, and what additional information they want to record when choosing a system.

Which Horse Heart Rate Monitor Is Right for You?

The right heart rate monitor depends on what you want to learn about your horse and how you plan to use the information.

If you want to monitor your horse during exercise, consider how easily you can view the live heart rate while riding and whether you want to record your training sessions for later review.

If you also want to check your horse’s resting or recovery heart rate from the ground, consider whether the same system can be used without having to tack up your horse.

HORSEPAL was designed to support both situations. The Heart Rate Monitor can be used with the Training Belt for ridden exercise and then moved to the Handle for quick checks from the ground.

Viewing Your Horse's Heart Rate While Riding

Being able to collect live heart rate data and being able to conveniently see it while riding are two different things.

Garmin Blaze allows live heart rate to be viewed through the Blaze smartphone app or on a compatible Garmin smartwatch. Polar Equine allows live heart rate to be viewed through its mobile app or a compatible Polar sports watch or training device.

The HORSEPAL Heart Rate Monitor has its own built-in display. When used with the HORSEPAL Training Belt and Extension, the monitor can be positioned in front of the saddle within the rider's view. This allows you to see your horse's live heart rate while riding without needing to purchase a smartwatch or use your phone as the heart rate display.

For riders who also want their phone visible, the HORSEPAL Extension can be used with the HORSEPAL English Saddle Phone Holder, allowing the phone and heart rate monitor to be positioned for viewing while riding.

How Much Does a Horse Heart Rate Monitor Cost?

The cost of an equine heart rate monitoring system depends on how you want to use it — for health checks from the ground, for training while riding, or for both.

With HORSEPAL, you can choose the setup that suits how you monitor your horse:

HORSEPAL Heart Rate Monitor – €120
The core heart rate monitor with its own built-in display.

HORSEPAL Training Belt + Extension – €99
Used with the Heart Rate Monitor for ridden training. The Extension positions the HRM in front of the saddle so the rider can see the horse's live heart rate while riding.

HORSEPAL Health Check Kit – €220
Designed for health monitoring from the ground and includes the HORSEPAL Heart Rate Monitor, HORSEPAL Thermometer, Electrode Handle and accessories.

For comparison, the Polar Equine Heart Rate Monitor for Riding is €199.90, the Polar Equine Healthcheck is €249.90, and the Garmin Blaze Equine Wellness System is €599.99.

When comparing prices, it is important to compare the complete setup required for how you want to use the monitor. HORSEPAL's built-in display allows live heart rate to be viewed directly on the monitor. When used with the Training Belt and Extension, the display can be positioned within the rider's view without requiring a smartwatch.

What is a normal heart rate for a horse?

A healthy adult horse typically has a resting heart rate of around 28–44 beats per minute (BPM). Heart rate increases during exercise and should gradually decrease during recovery.

Knowing your individual horse's normal resting and recovery heart rate can make it easier to recognise when something changes.

How quickly should a horse’s heart rate recover after exercise?

A horse’s heart rate should begin to decrease after exercise stops, but recovery time will vary depending on the intensity of the exercise, the horse’s fitness level, temperature and environmental conditions.

Rather than looking at one number alone, regularly monitoring your horse can help you learn what their normal recovery looks like. Over time, this can make changes in recovery easier to recognise.

Can I monitor my horse’s heart rate while riding?

Yes. Monitoring heart rate during exercise can help you understand how your horse responds to different levels of work and how quickly their heart rate recovers afterwards.

With the HORSEPAL Heart Rate Monitor, the Training Belt and Extension position the monitor in front of the saddle so you can see your horse’s live heart rate while riding.

Because the HORSEPAL monitor has its own built-in display, you can view the reading directly without needing a smartwatch.

Can I use the same horse heart rate monitor for riding and health checks?

Yes. The HORSEPAL Heart Rate Monitor can be moved between different accessories depending on how you want to use it.

For ridden training, it can be attached to the HORSEPAL Training Belt and Extension, allowing you to monitor live heart rate while riding. For health checks from the ground, the same monitor can be attached to the HORSEPAL Electrode Handle.

This allows you to use one heart rate monitor to track your horse during exercise as well as check resting and recovery heart rate from the ground.

Do I need a smartwatch to monitor my horse’s heart rate while riding?

Not with HORSEPAL. The HORSEPAL Heart Rate Monitor has its own digital display, so you can see your horse’s live heart rate directly on the monitor.

When used with the HORSEPAL Training Belt and Extension, the display can be positioned in front of the saddle where it can be viewed while riding.

You can also view your horse’s live heart rate on your smartphone through the HORSEPAL app. When used with the HORSEPAL English Saddle Phone Holder, your phone can be securely positioned in front of you, giving you another convenient way to monitor live heart rate while riding.

Your training data can then be recorded in the HORSEPAL app so you can review your horse’s heart rate and training information afterwards.

Find the Right Heart Rate Monitoring Setup for Your Horse

Whether you want to understand your horse’s fitness during training, monitor recovery after exercise or simply learn what is normal for your horse, regular heart rate monitoring can provide valuable information.

HORSEPAL gives you one heart rate monitor with different ways to use it — from quick health checks on the ground to live heart rate monitoring while riding.

With a built-in display, Bluetooth connection to the HORSEPAL app, Training Belt, Electrode Handle and optional English Saddle Phone Holder, you can choose the setup that works best for you and your horse.

Know what’s normal. Spot when something changes.

Explore the HORSEPAL Heart Rate Monitor and choose the setup that suits your horse.