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Abstract

The aim was to measure the mean and maximum speed and the range of speed in all gaits of Icelandic horses shown at a breed evaluation field test (BEFT). In addition, the effect of speed on scores for the gaits and whether speed was affected by age, sex and conformation measurements were investigated. The study was carried out in Iceland on 266 horses (180 mares and 86 stallions). Horse speed and distance ridden were recorded by global positioning system during the riding assessment in BEFT. Conformation measurements and scores for each gait were obtained from the official studbook Worldfengur. The range of speed in walk, slow tolt, tolt, trot, pace, canter and gallop was, respectively, 1.5-2.2, 3.2-5.5, 16-10.6, 4.5-8.6, 7.1-11.9, 5.8-9.8 and 7.9-13.5 m/s (n=149-248). Scores for all gaits were affected by speed of the gait, with speed explaining most variance in scores for pace (53%) and least in scores for slow tolt and walk (2 and 3%, respectively). Stallions were faster than mares in tolt, trot, pace and canter (P= 7 years and 6-year-olds were faster in pace and canter than 4-year-olds (P

Keywords

breed evaluation field test; GPS; objective measurement; tolt; pace

Published in

Comparative Exercise Physiology
2021, volume: 17, number: 2, pages: 151-160
Publisher: WAGENINGEN ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Medical Bioscience

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/CEP200039

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/123220