Value of standardised exercise tests and blood biochemistry in the selection and training of breeding stallions.

This research examines the validity of standardized exercise tests and blood biochemistry for selecting and training breeding stallions. The study found that there was no significant difference in these metrics between approved and rejected stallions, suggesting that these measures are not predictive of a stallion’s suitability for breeding.

Methodology

• The study was conducted on stallions selected by the Royal Dutch Warmblood Society.
• These stallions were put through a standardized lungeing test at the start and end of a 100-day performance and ability test.
• The researchers measured the heart rate, haematological and biochemical parameters during the first lungeing test.

Comparison of Results

• The study compared the results among three categories of stallions: the 15 stallions rejected in the first month of the 100-day test, the 15 stallions rejected in the last month, and the 11 stallions approved for registration in the studbook.
• The results from the first lungeing test showed no significant differences between these three groups.

Second Lungeing Test

• 26 stallions went through a second lungeing test. The results demonstrated noticeably lowered heart rates and blood lactate concentrations compared to the first test.
• However, the standardised lungeing test did not effectively predict the stallions’ approval or rejection status.
• The fitness of a stallion at the beginning of the 100-day test also did not impact its chances of approval as a breeding stallion.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that the standardised lungeing test is of no use in foreseeing a stallion’s rejection or approval status.
• Furthermore, a stallion’s fitness at the beginning of the 100-day test did not impact its chances of approval as a breeding stallion.
• The variations between the findings of the first and second tests suggest that the fitness of the stallions did improve during the 100-day test. The significance of this improvement, however, is not clear from the results of this study.