Tracking · 6 min
Why tracking blood lactate changes how you train
A single number tells you little. A series of tests tells you whether your program is working.
2 September 2026
Blood lactate rises as a horse works harder and relies more on anaerobic energy. On its own, one reading is a snapshot. Repeated under the same conditions, it becomes a record of how the horse's aerobic engine is developing.
What a trend shows you
- Whether fitness is improving: the curve moves to the right, so the same speed produces less lactate.
- Whether the horse is going backwards: a curve moving left can be an early sign of illness, lameness or overtraining.
- Whether training speeds are set right: zones worked out from V2 and V4 keep easy days easy and hard days purposeful.
Why keep a written record
Memory is selective. A consistent log of date, track, weather, speeds, heart rates and lactate values lets trainer, rider and vet all look at the same evidence and make decisions together.
Ready to put the numbers to work?
Log your horse's step tests and recovery checks, and get VLa2, VLa4 and clear training zones on one curve.