Survey on the development of Hanoverian Warmblood horses selected for sale at auction in 1991 to 1998

The development of 3,725 Warmblood riding horses selected for sale at auction in 1991-1998 was investigated on the basis of competition data and specifications of horse owners. Information on entries in tournament competitions and registered competition results obtained in tournaments in Germany in 1991-2002 were analyzed. The annual numbers of tournament entries and placings were used to quantify the horses' use in sports. Several factors were identified that had an influence on these performance parameters, including sex and age of the horse and discipline of use. When relating presence or absence of different radiographic findings in the limbs of the young horses to their later performance, mostly negative effects could be determined. In particular, horses affected with osseous fragments in distal interphalangeal joints, deforming arthropathy in proximal interphalangeal joints, and pathologic changes in navicular bones had on the average significantly lower numbers of entries and placings per year. Information derived from standardized questionnaires sent to actual owners of the former auction candidates provided some insight into current routines of keeping and management of Hanoverian Warmblood horses in Germany. The results of the study confirmed the fundamental importance of locomotory problems for the continuity of use of riding horses.