Researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands have documented a method to evaluate the jumping ability of horses as young as six months of age to see if their athleticism continues with them as they grow older.

While breeding plays an important role in the athletic abilities of a horse, determining the jumping ability of a foal before large amounts of time and money are invested in training can reduce future frustration and disappointment if the horse does not live up to expectations. Susana Santamaria, DVM, PhD, MRCVS, who is currently working at Edinburgh University's large animal hospital, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, and was the lead researcher in this study says, "You have less chance to get a good jumping horse if you breed with poor performers, and it can also happen that you have a horse with an amazing pedigree, but does not have a good jumping ability." 

The study used Dutch Warmblood foals weaned at four months of age. At six months of age, they were monitored jumping a 0.6 meter (almost two feet) high fence. They were then put out to pasture during the spring and summer and stabled in loose housing during the fall and winter. At 36 months of age, the horses began training in elementary dressage and jumping. The horses were turned back out for six months, then taken to a training center at 44.5 months of age to begin a one-year intensive training period in show jumping. After 14 weeks of training, the horses were monitored jumping a 1.05 meter (about 31/2 feet) high fence with a rider.

Rene van Weeren, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECVS, associate professor in the department of equine sciences at Utrecht University, and one of the researchers in this study, said important characteristics of the movements of the foals when judging them free-jumping include kinematic characteristics (the type of motion). The areas to watch, he said, are the flexion of the elbow joint, which determines to a large extent their capacity to fold in the front limb when going over the obstacle, and the way they are able to retroflex (stretch backward) their hind limbs. "The more promising foals are better able to rotate their pelvis when clearing the fence," van Weeren added.

This new research might have effects on the sale preparations of young horses. "It may imply that horses will be shown when free jumping (at a sale), and people will pay more attention to free jumping performance," said van Weeren. "There is even a possibility that people will purposefully train young horses to have them better perform at sales. The same study has shown that early training has a temporary, but not a lasting effect. This means such a practice could be misleading."

The foals in this study were under the tutelage of reputable trainers, says Santamaria, "The foals were trained by professionals that were very careful. However, it is always risky to train young foals to jump simply because it is easy to have an accident. They are young foals that can easily get stressed."

While foal performance evaluation shows promise for future research in this area, Santamaria says breeding still plays a crucial role and should not be forgotten.