EN
The heart rate (HR) and its variability were recorded continuously by a telemetric device in 9 Polish primitive horses, during a 1-hour draft trial at normalized gaits (5 periods of 9 minutes walking + 3 minutes trotting). The mean HR was 109—123 and 148—164 beats/min during walking and trotting respectively, and it did not increase in consecutive periods in the course of the trial. The greatest inter-individual variability of HR was recorded at the start of the trial and during periods of trotting. While trotting the intra-individual mean increase of HR in 1-minute periods was greater than the decrease. While walking the mean intra-individual increase of HR in 1-minute periods was smaller than the mean decrease. After approximately 17 minutes had elapsed from the end of the trial, the mean HR reached the level noted before the start. There were significant differences in the mean HR between horses. The telemetric continuous recording of HR is suitable both for measuring the degree of fatigue, fitness and the emotional state of the horses, as well as for a simple monitoring of HR during different states like for example narcosis under field conditions.