Assessment of the degree of preparation of Hucul horses for trials of performance

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the degree of preparation of Hucul horses for performance trials during 2009 and 2010. Trials for performance for this breed are regarded as universal and well organized. The field trials of performance consist of conformation ratings and Hucul’s path. The minimum score needed to pass the trials is 85 points for mares and 95 for stallions. 222 and 191 horses were registered for the performance trials in 2009 and 2010, respectively. It was observed that mare families of Żyrka, Gurgul, Laliszka and Polanka as well as the male line of Pietrosu were less represented in 2010. In 2010 the stallions were poorly prepared for the trials (as 20% and 13.2% did not pass the trials in 2010 and 2009, respectively) while mares performed better, with 10.2% and 20.1%, respectively. In the assessment of the horse’s exterior, in 2009, greater differentiation was observed, which was statistically corroborated. Similar final scores in subsequent years were observed in horses representing the Gurgul stallion line and in the mares representing the families of Polanka, Wolga and Wyderka. Path analysis results show that mares obtained higher scores in 2010.