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Comparative Analysis of the Stallion Field Performance Test at Different Training Stages and Horse Age
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Institute of Genetic and Animal Biotechnology PASN Jastrzębiec, Postepu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
2
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Live Sciences, Poznań, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2025, 15(22), 3289; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15223289 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 7 October 2025
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Revised: 3 November 2025
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Accepted: 11 November 2025
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Published: 13 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Equids)
Simple Summary
The amount of data obtained since the beginning of the stallion field test in Poland is still insufficient to evaluate genetic value. However, the overall ability (traits of the same name treated together) could be analyzed to obtain more data, as the identify of significant factors influencing results is crucial. Therefore, the study aimed to compare stallion preselection and performance test results, as well as to assess impact of some factors: year, place, performance group, country of origin, age and training period. The research showed that associations between traits scored during two stages of selection were at a medium level. Analyses indicated that the performance group and country are the most important factors influencing performance results. The year and place were more significant for the first selection stage than for the second one. It was also found that that the training period is more significant for the performance results, like the age of horses in young horse groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that the horse data coming from different stages of stallion field performance tests, training, and horse presentation does not seem to be comparable. The preliminary analysis does not allow for the data to be combined for breeding purposes.
Abstract
Breeding value estimations of Warmblood horses in Poland are based on field performance, but the amount of stallions’ data is still insufficient (334 horses). The first study’s aim is to compare stallions’ results in different stages and evaluate the overall ability using both stages. The effects on preselection (first stage free movement) and performance tests (second stage under rider) were analyzed separately and together as the overall ability. Spearman correlations were evaluated. The second aim was to evaluate the training period on the results. Due to the pandemic and lack of tests, horses had different training periods during the six years studied. The combined year-place effect, horse specialization group, and birth country had effects on four of twelve traits. The regression on age influenced only the preselection jumping trait (p = 0.04), while the training period influenced canter (p = 0.04) and “success” (passed/or not) in the performance test (p = 0.04). It seems that the training period and horse age are more significant for young horses’ performance. The correlations between stages for the same traits are moderate for gaits (<0.53) and low for jumping (<0.3). Thus, at least on a basic phenotypical level, results do not correspond strongly with each other.
Keywords:
performance test; stallion; age; training preparation
