<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Breeding value of sport horses in Poland is estimated on the basis of, among others, results of the 100-day performance test of young stallions in the training centres. However recently, a drastic decrease has been reported in the number of stallions undergoing this way of assessment in Poland with an increase in foreign breeds in equestrian competitions. The objective of the study was to determine variability level of stallion traits evaluated in the training centres and to identify factors affecting stallion performance value assessment during the stationary performance test. The study included 503 stallions subjected to the 100-day training followed by the performance test in the years 2004-2013 at the training centres. There were computed statistical characteristics of 16 performance traits which were scored by the trainer of the training centre, judging commission and test riders. Influence of identified factors on each evaluation was established using the GLM procedure. The rank correlations served to estimate phenotypic interdependencies between the scores and performance value indices. It was stated that the studied group of stallions showed low variation within the body basic measurements and the conformation correctness evaluated on the 100-point scale was also found within an average value (78.86 pts), quite close to minimum value for young stallions in Poland (78 pts). The highest variation was observed for the scores given by the test riders and the main factor differentiating the performance value of horses was their origin-breed group. The horses of the German breeds (HANN, OLDBG, HOLST) earned the highest scores, while Wielkopolska horses got the lowest scores for performance test. Insufficient consistency between the individual evaluation made by the trainer of training centre and the judging commission may imply completely different period of assessment (trainer - 100 days, judging commission - 2 days) or unsatisfactory competencies of examiners.</p></abstract>

Breeding value of sport horses in Poland is estimated on the basis of, among others, results of the 100-day performance test of young stallions in the training centres. However recently, a drastic decrease has been reported in the number of stallions undergoing this way of assessment in Poland with an increase in foreign breeds in equestrian competitions. The objective of the study was to determine variability level of stallion traits evaluated in the training centres and to identify factors affecting stallion performance value assessment during the stationary performance test. The study included 503 stallions subjected to the 100-day training followed by the performance test in the years 2004-2013 at the training centres. There were computed statistical characteristics of 16 performance traits which were scored by the trainer of the training centre, judging commission and test riders. Influence of identified factors on each evaluation was established using the GLM procedure. The rank correlations served to estimate phenotypic interdependencies between the scores and performance value indices. It was stated that the studied group of stallions showed low variation within the body basic measurements and the conformation correctness evaluated on the 100-point scale was also found within an average value (78.86 pts), quite close to minimum value for young stallions in Poland (78 pts). The highest variation was observed for the scores given by the test riders and the main factor differentiating the performance value of horses was their origin-breed group. The horses of the German breeds (HANN, OLDBG, HOLST) earned the highest scores, while Wielkopolska horses got the lowest scores for performance test. Insufficient consistency between the individual evaluation made by the trainer of training centre and the judging commission may imply completely different period of assessment (trainer - 100 days, judging commission - 2 days) or unsatisfactory competencies of examiners.

Effect of Some Factors on Performance Value Assessment of Stallions During Performance Tests

Department of Horse Breeding and Use, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin,

Department of Biological Bases of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin,

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Breeding value of sport horses in Poland is estimated on the basis of, among others, results of the 100-day performance test of young stallions in the training...

Effect of Some Factors on Performance Value Assessment of Stallions During Performance Tests

Article Category: Behaviour, well-being, production technology, and environment

Published Online: Oct 27, 2016

Page range: 1175 - 1184

Received: Mar 03, 2015

Accepted: Apr 05, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2016-0027

Keywords
horse breeding, training centre, performance value

© by Sławomir Pietrzak

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Effect of Some Factors on Performance Value Assessment of Stallions During Performance Tests

Article Category: Behaviour, well-being, production technology, and environment

Published Online: Oct 27, 2016

Page range: 1175 - 1184

Received: Mar 03, 2015

Accepted: Apr 05, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2016-0027

Keywordshorse breeding, training centre, performance value

© by Sławomir Pietrzak

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
horse breeding, training centre, performance value