NRC 2007 - Types of Exercise
| Exercise Category | Mean Heart Rate (bpm) | Description | Types of Events |
| Light | 80 | 1-3 hours/week; 40% walk, 50% trot, 10% canter | Recreational riding, beginning of training, show horses (occasional) |
| Moderate | 90 | 3-5 hours/week; 30% walk, 55% trot, 10% canter, 5% low jumping, cutting, other skill work | School horses, recreational riding, beginning of training/breaking, show horses (frequent), polo, ranch work |
| Heavy | 110 | 4-5 hours/week; 20% walk, 50% trot, 15% canter, 15% gallop, jumping, other skill work | Ranch work, polo, show horses (frequent, strenuous events), low-medium level eventing, race training (middle stages) |
| Very Heavy | 110-150 | Various; from 1 hour/week of speed work to 6-12 hours/week slow work | Racing, endurance, elite 3-day eventing |