Hands-On Horse Research: What Is a Step Test?

A step test is performed to determine maximum aerobic capacity and to estimate the fitness level of a horse.

When a step test is conducted at Kentucky Equine Research, a horse is led onto the high-speed treadmill and the speed of the treadmill is gradually increased until maximum oxygen consumption is reached. Indirect calorimetry is used to measure oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production to determine when maximal oxygen consumption occurs.

Throughout the step test, heart rate is measured. Blood samples are pulled during the last 15 seconds of each speed interval, and plasma from the blood is analyzed for certain metabolites, commonly glucose and lactate.

Two fitness parameters are ascertained during a step test, V200 and VLA4. V200 is the speed at which heart rate reaches 200 beats/minute. VLA4 is the speed at which plasma lactate concentrations reach 4 mmol/L.

Learn more about KER’s research program here.