19/05/2026
๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ: ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐
Correctly identifying your horseโs workload is important when assessing energy, protein, vitamin, mineral and electrolyte requirements.
Workload is based on more than how many days your horse is ridden. It also considers the duration, intensity, speed, heart rate, terrain and type of work being performed.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค
Average heart rate: 80 BPM
Workload: 1โ3 hours per week
40% walk
50% trot
10% canter
Light work may include pleasure riding, light schooling, groundwork, gentle trail riding or beginner-level pony club work.
๐๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค
Average heart rate: 90 BPM
Workload: 3โ5 hours per week
30% walk
50% trot
10% canter
5% low jumping, cutting or other skill work
Moderate work may include regular schooling, adult riding club, pony club, low-level competition, trail riding with hills, dressage training or lower-level jumping.
๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค
Average heart rate: 110 BPM
Workload: 4โ5 hours per week
20% walk
50% trot
15% canter
25% gallop, jumping or other skill work
Heavy work includes horses in more demanding training programs where stamina, recovery, hydration and muscle support become increasingly important.
๐๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค
Average heart rate: 110โ150 BPM
Workload: can range from 1 hour per week of very high-speed work through to 6โ12 hours per week of slower, sustained work
This category may include racehorses, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, endurance horses and upper-level three-day eventers.
Very heavy work places significant demand on the horseโs body and requires careful nutrition planning to support energy, electrolytes, muscle function, recovery and overall performance.
Need Help Assessing Your Horseโs Workload?
Elite Equine Nutrition is here to help take the guesswork out of feeding.
Call in and see us in-store at Lilydale, or get in touch to discuss your horseโs workload, body condition, current diet and nutrition goals.