THE EFFECT OF AGE ON RESULTS OBTAINED BY MARES DURING STATIONARY AND FIELD PERFORMANCE TESTS CONDUCTED IN POLAND IN THE YEARS 2001-2010

Sa？etak The study encompassed a population of noble mares, assessed in Poland during performance tests. The statistical analysis pertained to results obtained by warmblood mares within a period of 10 years. Performance tests were conducted in II systems: field and stationary. The analysis encompassed 1490 mares, each of which participated in at least one performance test. The conducted study revealed statistically significant differences between average results obtained by 2-3 year-old mares and 4-year-olds only in the free jumping and rideability categories – in favor of 4-year-old mares. No statistically significant differences were noted between average scores for: walk, trot and gallop. The study did not reveal the impact of age on final scores for warmblood mares for the following traits during performance tests: walk, trot and gallop. Age did impact the results of: free jumping and rideability. The authors believe that the horses’ natural gait (its movements since infancy) is determined genetically and does not depend on age or length of training