Utility of the discriminant analysis to categorize untrained Spanish Pure Bred horses on the basis of biochemical and muscle variables before and after a standardized exercise test

We hypothesized that the information obtained from a discriminant analysis could be used to objectively discriminate horses untrained from early ages, in agreement with certain physiological characteristics.In the biopsies of 24 Spanish Pure Bred horses (1.5–3 years old) before and after a standardized exercise test (SET; 4–7 m/s with a change of velocity of 1 m/s every 2 min) muscle enzymes, substrate and metabolites were determined. Also, diverse plasma and blood parameters were considered.Three pre-exercise groups (A1: six horses; A2: seven horses and A3: eleven horses) and two post-exercise groups (B1: sixteen horses; B2: eight horses) were defined from a correspondence analysis. Forward stepwise discriminant analysis selected 11 variables which differentiated the groups between each other both pre- and post-exercise.The results of the present study suggested the utility of a discriminant analysis to categorize horses in agreement with certain physiological variables. It could be used for establishing different types of training in each group by expert trainers.