Effect of the age on performance tests in Warmblood horses in Poland

The best age for testing and starting a career is not clear, and there are pros and cons with respect to conditioning and training of young horses. The aim of the study was to identify the best age for young horses to enter performance tests. The Federation Equestrian International rules allow young horses to start at the age at four. The proper age for young horses to start their performance life was analyzed on the basis of their level of performance in the young test for Warmblood horses on the basis of stallion (329 horses) and mare data (160 horses). An analysis of variance was conducted for fixed effects- year of the performance test and training center. The preferred age for performance tests was the fifth year of life (as calculated for mare performance tests), although basic training does not yield highly statistically significant differences in the performance of 3- and 4-year-old horses. It also seems that longer conditioning does not bring expected effects in performance tests, as horses older than 5 years do not achieve better results.