RESUMEN
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between the intensity of warm-up and scores of horse-rider dyads in jumping competitions, and which factors affect the warm-up regime. Three international competitions of 120, 130, and 135cm obstacle height, completed by 82 competitors, were studied. Warm-up intensity was measured by the time spent in the schooling area, number of practice jumping efforts, and coefficient of practice obstacle height. Out of the official final scores in the competitions, penalty points in the round and converted final placings were used as outcome measures. The data were analyzed with Spearman's correlation, multifactorial analysis of variance, and Tukey's test. The rider's sex, part of the world that the riders came from, horse's sex, age, and competitive level (obstacle height) were considered. Results showed that more jumps and higher obstacles during warm-up decrease the horse-rider dyad's performance in jumping competition, whereas the duration of the total warm-up time does not affect the score. Female riders warm up horses longer but jump lower fences than male riders. Riders do not differentiate the warm-up regime with regard to the horse's sex, whereas they considered the horse's age. The warm-up intensity does not increase proportionally to the competitive level.
RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi determinar se existe uma correlação entre a intensidade do desempenho de aquecimento e os resultados de um conjunto cavalo-cavaleiro em competições de saltos, assim como também determinar os fatores que afetam esta intensidade. Avaliaram-se três concursos internacionais com obstáculos de 120, 130 e 135cm de altura, que foram completadas por 82 conjuntos. A intensidade do aquecimento foi medida pelo tempo gasto na área de prática, o número de saltos realizados durante o treino e o coeficiente de altura dos obstáculos saltados durante o treino. Dos resultados oficiais finais da competição, utilizaram-se como indicadores os pontos de penalização e o posicionamento obtido. Os dados foram analisados por meio da correlação de Spearman, da análise multivariada de variância e do teste de Tukey. Levaram-se em conta o sexo do cavaleiro, a sua naturalidade; sexo e idade do cavalo e o nível da competição (altura de obstáculos). Os resultados demonstram que quanto mais saltos executados e quanto maiores eram os obstáculos utilizados durante o aquecimento, piores foram os resultados conjunto na competição, contudo, o tempo de aquecimento não afeta os resultados. As amazonas aquecem o cavalo por mais tempo e saltam obstáculos mais baixos do que os homens. Os cavaleiros não diferenciam a intensidade do aquecimento em função do sexo do cavalo, mas, levam em consideração a idade do cavalo. A intensidade do aquecimento não aumenta proporcionalmente com o nível da competição.
RESUMEN
This paper analyzes changes in the length of coat on selected body areas in horses and ponies kept under different husbandry (stable) conditions during the winter-spring period. The study included 12 Malpolski geldings and 12 geldings of Felin ponies aged 10-15 years. Horses were kept in two stables (six horses and six ponies in each stable). The type of performance, husbandry conditions and feeding of the studied animals were comparable. As of December 1, samples of hair coat from the scapula, sternum, back and abdomen areas of both body sides were collected seven times. The lengths of 20 randomly selected hair fibers were measured. Daily measurements of air temperature in the stables were also taken. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the following factors: the body part from where the coat was sampled, the subsequent examination and the stable as well as the interaction between these factors. The significance of differences between means was determined with a t-Tukey test. The relations between air temperature in the stable and hair length were calculated using Pearson's correlation. It was found that air temperature in the stable impacts the length of winter coat in horses and ponies. The effect of this factor is more pronounced in ponies; as in the stables with lower temperatures it produces a longer hair coat which is more evenly distributed over the body in comparison with horses. Keeping horses and ponies in stables with a low air temperature accelerates coat shedding by approximately 25 days. Coat shedding begins from the scapula area.
