[Derivation and use of a new physiological criterion in the evaluation of performance in horses].

This research article explores the use of a new physiological measure, pulse-rate response to graded load, for evaluating the performance and adaptation of horses to physical load. Statistical methods were used to develop a ten-score scale from normal distribution, which could then be used for performance evaluation.

Physiological Criterion for Performance Evaluation

• The researchers discuss the potential of using pulse-rate response to gradated load as a measure for evaluating horse performance. This physiological criterion is a measure of how a horse adapts to a graded load, wherein the load progressively increases in intensity.
• The gradated load involves varying levels of physical exertion, and the horse’s pulse-rate response to this load provides insight into how well it can handle and recover from physical stress. Thus, the pulse-rate response offers an objective means of assessing the horse’s physical adaptability and resilience.

Study Design and Statistical Analysis

• A mathematical-statistical analysis was conducted on regression coefficients gleaned from pulse rate-speed equations. This data was collected from 278 three-year-old horses, specifically 145 Bohemian Warm-Blooded, 115 Kladrub Black, and 18 English Half-Breds, after they had completed their basic training.
• Regression analysis is a statistical tool used to understand the relationship between different variables. In this instance, it helped to determine the correlation between a horse’s pulse rate and speed, facilitating a deeper understanding of the horse’s physical performance.

Development and Application of the Ten-Score Scale

• Based on the quantiles of the normal distribution derived from the data analysed, a ten-score scale was developed. Quantiles of a normal distribution provide markers that split the data into equal portions using statistical measures such as mean, median, and mode.
• This ten-score scale allows the performance of a tested horse to be evaluated on the basis of its recorded regression coefficient. A regression coefficient reveals the degree to which a particular variable influences the overall outcome. In this context, it indicates how a horse’s speed relates to its pulse rate under graded load, which then informs the horse’s performance score.