Workout questions any equestrians

[ClairasMudd]

I have not been using the workout app while horseback riding and I would like to use it for tracking. I just cannot figure out which exercise would be the most accurate.
Any advise which would work?

 

[foxkoneko]

just put "other" since riding isn't an option

 

[ClairasMudd]

just put "other" since riding isn't an option

Other might be the only option. I think accuracy would be off but that most likely is the best choice.

 

[MrMoonUK]

Riding a horse isn't exercise I doubt the Apple watch would record much and the calorie burn would be way off the real world

 

[foxkoneko]

Riding a horse isn't exercise I doubt the Apple watch would record much and the calorie burn would be way off the real world

I think she is trying to track the horse's workout

 

[ClairasMudd]

I think she is trying to track the horse's workout

No not the horses workout. Riding is not exercise, ok. I suppose you have never rode a horse.
Thanks

 

[Night Spring]

No not the horses workout. Riding is not exercise, ok. I suppose you have never rode a horse.

I do suppose riding takes some effort, but how would the watch measure that? The watch has no way of separating out the horse's movements from your exertions.

 

[tekchic]

Riding a horse isn't exercise I doubt the Apple watch would record much and the calorie burn would be way off the real world

Says someone who's never jumped a horse through a cross-country course of 3-4 foot fences, or up and back down a mountain in a 50 mile trail race.

That being said, if you're trying to track your own activity, most likely "Other" is your best bet, at least for heart rate and maybe caloric burn. Might be fun to launch another app like MotionX GPS or something to get a course of where you rode, too though (if you're riding with your phone).

 

[Ecoh]

I was a timber jockey and race horse exercise rider when I was younger. Now I event and do dressage for fun. This is exercise as much as skiing and cross country running. It really keeps you in shape.

I have used the Apple watch while riding, set to OTHER and OUTDOOR (Walk or RUN). OTHER gives an insane amount of active calories. I have not been able to make any sense out of the information. If you are wanting to just make sure you get enough exercise at the ideal heart rate, I think OUTDOOR WALK or RUN seems to be the best.

I used to use an iPod Nano as a pedometer when riding. I would get about 1800 steps for 30 minutes of riding, mostly trot and canter.

 

[JamesTTodd]

I do suppose riding takes some effort, but how would the watch measure that? The watch has no way of separating out the horse's movements from your exertions.

The rider's movements at each gait and speed are going to be quite distinctive: walk, working walk, collected trot, extended trot, sitting trot, two point trot, canter at varying degrees of collection, gallop, over jumps, etc.--and that's just English. Presumably, these could be programmed like any movement.

As for "some effort," the exertion can be very large, akin to running--because the rider isn't just sitting, but constantly gripping with his or her legs, posting (moving up and down) at the trot, using other muscles for balance, and moving the trunk muscles in concert with the horse to keep the upper body and arms independent. An hour-long lesson will work up a good sweat, even in a cold arena in the winter, and novices experience days of muscle aches just like anyone who takes on any new form of vigorous exertion.

 

[Night Spring]

The rider's movements at each gait and speed are going to be quite distinctive: walk, working walk, collected trot, extended trot, sitting trot, two point trot, canter at varying degrees of collection, gallop, over jumps, etc.--and that's just English. Presumably, these could be programmed like any movement.

As for "some effort," the exertion can be very large, akin to running--because the rider isn't just sitting, but constantly gripping with his or her legs, posting (moving up and down) at the trot, using other muscles for balance, and moving the trunk muscles in concert with the horse to keep the upper body and arms independent. An hour-long lesson will work up a good sweat, even in a cold arena in the winter, and novices experience days of muscle aches just like anyone who takes on any new form of vigorous exertion.

I'm not questioning that horse riding takes lots of effort. I'm asking how the watch, or any other pedometer / activity monitoring device, is going to know how much of the movement it is sensing belongs to the rider, and how much to the horse? In other words, wouldn't you get credit for your own exertions, plus that of the horse?

I suppose somebody could write an algorithm that tried to filter out the movement of the horse, but since there is no such algorithm programmed into the Apple Watch at this time, I don't think any of the existing presets in the Workout app are able to filter out the horse's movements.

 

[JamesTTodd]

I'm not questioning that horse riding takes lots of effort. I'm asking how the watch, or any other pedometer / activity monitoring device, is going to know how much of the movement it is sensing belongs to the rider, and how much to the horse? In other words, wouldn't you get credit for your own exertions, plus that of the horse?

I suppose somebody could write an algorithm that tried to filter out the movement of the horse, but since there is no such algorithm programmed into the Apple Watch at this time, I don't think any of the existing presets in the Workout app are able to filter out the horse's movements.

Exactly, an algorithm estimating exertion from the unique properties of the various movements would have to be created, or a means of letting to user record the movements and enter calories would need to be supplied. The movements of the rider, especially a reasonable good one, are very specific to each gait and speed. The watch doesn't know anything other a series of gyroscope and accelerometer readings anyway, so whatever corresponded to different unique movements would be used as the basis of a calculation--as it is now when the watch ignores most of your arm movements when sitting. It would be possible, as well, to estimate both what the rider was exerting and the horse. But, as you imply, we don't know a huge amount about that. It is probably easier to estimate a rider's calories than a horse's, given the added variables (what's a 13-hand pony burning with its smaller strides vs a 16.3 hand Thorougbred covering the same distance?). All of this is estimate, of course. A very efficient runner with a good stride is probably burning less than I do running with poor form, but we may get the same credit.

Right now, one good hour of riding earns me almost a full day of exercising, but it records it as various combinations of running, walking, and standing.

As for the exercise, sorry. It is very common to have the amount of effort in riding severely underestimated.

 

[cdcastillo]

Riding a horse isn't exercise I doubt the Apple watch would record much and the calorie burn would be way off the real world

Excuse me!

Have you ever ride a horse other than on a county fair? Of course it is exercise!!!

 

[ClairasMudd]

Thanks horsey people! That was my question, what exercise setting would work best for riding. I suppose it would be other, just wanted to see what others thought or might use as other options.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Riding a horse isn't exercise I doubt the Apple watch would record much and the calorie burn would be way off the real world

Easy to tell you do not ride horses.

Riding a horse for the day is most certainly a workout.

 

[Msbeckyjf]

Riding a horse isn't exercise I doubt the Apple watch would record much and the calorie burn would be way off the real world

You're kidding right? Have you actually ever ridden a horse? I'm not talking pony rides either. I mean seriously riding. Even at a walk, several muscle groups are working in CONCERT to maintain balance and keep you on the horse. A posting trot is repetitive squats and a canter, gallop, and jumping can raise your heart rate to the same level as an elliptical or treadmill. Yes. Horseback riding is great exercise both in building lean muscle and as a cardiovascular workout.
[doublepost=1476704487][/doublepost]

Thanks horsey people! That was my question, what exercise setting would work best for riding. I suppose it would be other, just wanted to see what others thought or might use as other options.

I know this is an old thread. I'm going to try the outdoor cycling setting when I ride this evening.

 

[Julien]

I know this is an old thread. I'm going to try the outdoor cycling setting when I ride this evening.

Biking is an aerobic activity and wouldn't work well. Use Other and Save as Equestrian Sports.

 

[Msbeckyjf]

Biking is an aerobic activity and wouldn't work well. Use Other and Save as Equestrian Sports.

[doublepost=1476724232][/doublepost]Anything above a walk is an aerobic activity. LOL.

 

[Julien]

[doublepost=1476724232][/doublepost]Anything above a walk is an aerobic activity. LOL.

It would be more of an anaerobic (strength) activity than aerobic. Also the algorithms used in cycling were developed specifically for.....well cycling. Even running, which is MUCH closer aerobically would use different algorithms and produce inaccurate results. This is why Apple has included Equestrian Sports as an Activity. You can do what you want but if interested in the most accurate results you should use the Workout most applicable to your Activity, Other:Equestrian Sports.

http://www.ratemyhorsepro.com/cardiovascular-training-for-the-equestrian-rate-my-horse-pro/

https://equipoisephysiotherapy.word...-of-aerobic-training-for-equestrian-athletes/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/351282-fitness-exercises-for-a-horse-rider/