Things to work on
- Withholding exercise from foals decreases blood supply to growing bones.
Effect of exercise on development of capillary supply and oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle of horses. By: Rietbroek, Nancy J.; Dingboom, Elizabeth G.; Schuurman, Simon O.; Hengeveld-Van Der Wiel, Ellen; Eizema, Karin; Everts, Maria E.. American Journal of Veterinary Research, Nov2007, Vol. 68 Issue 11, p1226-1231
- More capable jumpers - those able to clear 1.50m in the study - had a different average jumping style than less capable jumpers. Better jumpers had a lower center of gravity at the moment that the forelegs clear the fence, "due to increased flexion in the elbow joints" (this trait is often called a tight front end). Better jumpers had advanced the center of gravity further beyond the fence at the moment that the hindlegs cleared the fence, as they "had retroflexed the hind limbs further." Better jumpers had a lower velocity at take-off. "[T]he best jumpers showed less inter-individual variation in the distance of CG to the fence at take-off, which could indicate that they were better at estimating distances than the worst jumpers". These traits are visible in young horses (6 months in this study).
Can jumping capacity of adult show jumping horses be predicted on the basis of submaximal free jumps at foal age? A longitudinal study. By: Bobbert, Maarten F.; Santamaría, Susana; Van Weeren, P. René; Back, Wim; Barneveld, Albert. Veterinary Journal, Sep2005, Vol. 170 Issue 2, p212-221
- The foreleg (elbow-hoof) can be assumed to behave like a linear spring, storing energy. The hindlegs are the major source of energy.
Contribution of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the horse to mechanical energy changes in jumping. By: Bobbert, Maarten F.; Santamaría, Susana. Journal of Experimental Biology, Jan2005, Vol. 208 Issue 2, p249-260
- Freejumping young horses (6 months) does not impact their eventual success in jumping competition, their eventual jumping technique, or their eventual jumping capacity (5 years). However, in this study 4 year olds which had had practice freejumping as foals jumped more efficiently than true novices at the beginning of training.
Effect of early training on the jumping technique of horses. By: Santamaría, Susana; Bobbert, Maarten F.; Back, Willem; Barneveld, Ab; Van Weeren, P. Rene. American Journal of Veterinary Research, Mar2005, Vol. 66 Issue 3, p418-424
- Despite dramatic changes in physiology and psychology that occur as a horse grows from 6 months to 4 years, jumping technique is often evident at a young age. (Implication: freejumping young horses can provide insight into their technique as adults.)
Evaluation of consistency of jumping technique in horses between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. By: Santamaría, Susana; Bobbert, Maarten F.; Back, Willem; Barneveld, Ab; Van Weeren, P. René. American Journal of Veterinary Research, July2004, Vol. 65 Issue 7, p945-950
- "...body position at take-off is the most important aspect when jumping high fences." (Implication: Scope, the ability of the horse to modify his approach/jump/etc. based on what he senses, is important in jumping. To which we say "duh," but its good to have it studied.)
Linear Kinematics at Take-off in Horses Jumping the Wall in an International Puissance Competition. By: Powers, Pippa. Sports Biomechanics, Jul2005, Vol. 4 Issue 2, p149-162
- The last stride before a jump is the "contact period." Almost half the duration of the contact period composes the joints of the fore- and hind-limbs absorbing power/storing energy for the jump. The hind limb generates power (pushes the horse off the ground) during the rest of the contact period. "[T]he [stifle] produced 85% of the work done by the hind limb." (Implication: outlines the physical process of the last stride before the jump, highlights the importance of sound limbs, provides a reason that OCD in the stifle, particularly, is not allowed in most warmblood stallions; also, shows that the contribution of the hip, hock, and fetlock is primarily in flexing to absorb the downward-directed energy of the last stride, and then releasing it again.)
Moments and power generated by the horse (Equus caballus) hind limb during jumping. By: Dutto, Darren J.; Hoyt, Donald F.; Clayton, Hilary M.; Cogger, Edward A.; Wickler, Steven J.. Journal of Experimental Biology, Feb2004, Vol. 207 Issue 4, p667-674
- Secondary: good jumping technique is connected to (a) lower velocity over the fence, (b) leading foreleg placed closer to the fence (? worded strangely, may also mean that the leading foreleg and trailing foreleg are closer together in the contact period), (c) trailing foreleg remains in contact with ground for a longer period (stance phase), (d) higher acceleration of hind legs in take-off, (e) vertical component of the force produced by the landing the same as it is in the canter.
Also, a horse's jumping technique appears to be more stable (less variable) the greater the effort required (higher jump, weight of rider).
Repeatability of the horse's jumping parameters with and without the rider. By: Lewczuk, D.; Słoniewski, K.; Reklewski, Z.. Livestock Science, Feb2006, Vol. 99 Issue 2/3, p125-130
- Relationship between personality traits (flightiness, sensitivity, etc.) to performance as a novice jumping horse.
The association between performance in show-jumping and personality traits earlier in life. By: Visser, E.K.; Van Reenen, C.G.; Engel, B.; Schilder, M.B.H.; Barneveld, A.; Blokhuis, H.J.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Aug2003, Vol. 82 Issue 4, p279
Horseshoe Fixation versus Hoof Colour, a Comparative Study. By: Runciman, R.J.; Thomason, J.J.; Springett, G.; Bullock, S.; Sears, W.. Biosystems Engineering, Nov2004, Vol. 89 Issue 3, p377-382
- Hoof color does not seem related to hoof quality.
- Gelderlander Stallions: 10 Chestnuts, 2 black, 1 bay
German Warmbloods
Warmbloods are horses belonging to a group of registries that focus on the breeding of horses for Olympic equestrian sports such as dressage, show jumping, and eventing. The international governing body for the Olympic disciplines is the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), which is affiliated with the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH). The WBFSH connects breeding organizations which are committed to producing sport horses with the FEI, and hosts the World Breeding Championships for Sport Horses. German breeding organizations recognized by the WBFSH include the following.
- Zuchtverband für Deutsche Pferde e.V. (ZfDP)
- Landesverband Bayerischer Pferdezüchter e.V. (BAVAR)
- Landespferdezuchtverband Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. (BRAND)
- Pferdezuchtverband Baden-Württemberg e.V. (BAD-WÜ)
- Pferdezuchtverband Rheinland Pfalz Saar e.V. (ZWEIB)
- Pferdezuchtverband Sachsen-Thüringen e.V. (SATHÜ)
- Pferdezuchtverband Sachsen Anhalt e.V. (SA)
- Rheinisches Pferdestammbuch e.V. (RHEIN)
- Verband Hannoverscher Pferdezüchter e.V. (HANN)
- Verband Hessischer Pferdezüchter e.V. (HESS)
- Verband der Pferdezüchter Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V. (MECKL)
- Verband der Thüringen Pferdezüchter e.V. (THÜ)
- Verband der Züchter des Holsteiner Pferdes e.V. (HOLST)
- Verband der Züchter des Oldenburger Pferdes e.V. (OLDBG)
- Verband der Züchter und Freunde des Ostpreussischen Warmblutpferdes Trakehner Abstammung e.V. (TRAK)
- Westfälisches Pferdestammbuch e.V. (WESTF)