During a video conference interview, Arioneo’s team had the opportunity to speak with Glen Braem and discuss his use of Equimetre.
Why use Equimetre? What prompted you to invest in the Equimetre solution? What are the main advantages of collecting data and using Equimetre? Découvrez toutes les réponses dans cette interview !
Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Glen Braem, and I am a horse racing trainer based in Senonnes, in France, where I oversee a team of 9 horses. I’ve been in this location for about a year and a half now.
Why use Equimetre? What prompted you to invest in the Equimetre solution?
I love data! It adds an extra dimension to our understanding. While we rely on visual observations and our riding experience, data truly enhances our approach. With information such as heart rate, stride length, and speed, we can analyze the training process accurately and enrich our training methods.
We’re now in 2024, and in this ever-evolving field, it’s crucial to keep up with technological advancements. I believe it’s important to combine traditional methods with data usage to achieve optimal results.
What are the main advantages of collecting data and using Equimetre?
In my experience, I consider heart rate to be the most crucial element. Initially, I didn’t pay enough attention to this data, but once I understood the basics and had reference points, it became easy to identify horses with a good heart rate.
For example, I had a mare with a relatively high heart rate. I consulted my brother, a veterinarian in England, who explained that it wasn’t “serious” as long as the work and recovery were well managed. Each horse has his own maximum heart rate, so it’s normal for some horses to have a higher heart rate during effort without it being a cause for concern.
Over supervised training sessions, I noticed that my mare’s heart rate began to decrease.
Additionally, I also appreciate examining stride, stride length, and speed. Being able to observe the maximum speed reached during gallops is a significant advantage.
How do you use locomotion data to determine the optimal race distances for horses?
For example, a horse focused on speed will have a shorter stride length compared to a horse geared towards longer distances. I’ve also experimented with different shoeing options on some horses, including glued and plastic horse shoes.
Regardless of the horse type or race distance, we’ve observed an increase in stride length with these types of horse shoes, even though it may not be noticeable to the rider.
However, thanks to the data, we can see the extra centimeters gained in terms of stride length.
What do owners think about the use of Equimetre, and what are your daily relationships with Equimetre and the owners?
Owner opinions regarding Equimetre usage vary. Traditional owners, less inclined to adopt new technologies, may not show much interest in the data provided by this tool. They prefer more direct and concrete explanations about their horse’s well-being.
On the other hand, some owners, often passionate about betting and keen on their horse’s performance, place great importance on analyzing Equimetre data. They closely examine timing details, strides, and recovery.
However, the common goal among all owners is to ensure their horse’s well-being.
In our daily interactions, I sometimes send simplified analyses to owners. I strive to provide clear and accessible explanations, similar to those we receive from Elif, our Data Success Manager at Arioneo, but less technical.
For example, I might indicate that the horse worked at a certain distance with a given maximum speed, specific amplitude, and satisfactory recovery. These simplified explanations help owners better understand and stay involved in monitoring their horses.
Do you think that in your previous career as a jockey, data could have been an asset in better understanding the horses you trained?
I think it’s a rather complex question to answer because during races, I often rode horses that I had never trained before.
However, if we focus on the horses I actually trained, for example, for my father or my previous employer, I would have really appreciated having access to this data. It would have been a definite asset.
During a gallop, for instance, being able to consult the data would confirm our assessment of the horse, reinforcing our intuition. Sometimes, when something is wrong, the heart rate may increase, but as a rider, we may not feel the problem without using an Equimetre. Overall, an Equimetre can help more accurately assess the horse’s work, support our sensations, and confirm what we feel while riding, or even detect issues that we wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.
I would have liked to use an Equimetre during races because training and races are two very different things and often incomparable. Thus, being able to observe the horse’s behavior in a quantified manner during the race would have been extremely interesting, but unfortunately, it’s not yet possible.
You frequently use Equimetre on 2 and 3-year-old horses; do you find that it brings real added value to your training?
Absolutely! We mainly observe with young horses that their heart rate is generally higher than in older horses. This observation is useful for determining the necessary adjustments in their training program, especially if we need to reduce the intensity.
How do you see the future of data and horse training with the use of data?
I am convinced that the use of data will continue to evolve as more and more people become interested in it. Recently, for example, Vincent Chatellier contacted me for information about Equimetre. I told him it was an excellent solution for training, and he quickly got in touch with Arioneo. Personally, I am fully in favor of this development.
In Hong Kong, at each race meeting, data is prevalent. It’s not always data collected by sensors like Equimetre, but for example, tracking data or the horse’s current weight and that of his last race are recorded and then published in the turf. So why not use data in the same way, while preserving some confidentiality?
Some trainers, like Nicolas Clément, who come from traditional training backgrounds, have fully embraced the use of data, which I find very interesting. It’s crucial to invest in new technologies.
I would also mention Christopher Head, who, although younger, is also very involved in this field, which is fantastic.
→ We can’t ignore the path of technology because we will use it more and more! For my part, I will continue to use Equimetre and acquire more if my team allows it!
Keywords: Arioneo, Equimetre, data, heart rate, stride length, horses, recovery
Photo: Glen Braem