Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness, Part 2—An Adapted Training Program

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Young Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week training program (70-day test) for acceptance as a studbook-approved breeding stallion. Part one of this study showed that the original training program was too intense and led to reduced fitness. In part two of the study, the stallions performed fewer training sessions and fewer minutes of cantering per week. The effect of this adapted training program on the fitness of young Friesian stallions was evaluated. Sixteen stallions participated in part two of this study. Data were collected during the 6-week preparation period before the test as well as during the 70-day test. The total duration and time spent at each gait were measured during all training sessions. The horses performed three standardized exercise tests (SETs) in week 1 (SET-I), 6 (SET-II), and 10 (SET-III), where heart rate (HR) and plasma lactate concentration (LA) were measured. On average, the horses showed an increase in fitness at SET-III compared with SET-I, as indicated by decreased HR and LA levels during the same exercise. This study shows that young Friesian horses were at risk to being overtrained during the original training program, but the adapted training program resulted in an increase in the fitness level. A carefully chosen training program is necessary for improving the performance and welfare of (young) horses. ABSTRACT: Young Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week training program (70-day test) for acceptance as a breeding stallion. Part one of this study showed that the 70-day test was too intense and led to reduced fitness. In the present (part two) study, the effects of an adapted training program were studied. Training frequency and minutes of cantering per week were lowered compared with part one. The external workload (EW) of sixteen stallions (3.4 ± 0.8 years) was monitored during the 6-weeks before testing (preparation period) as well as during the 70-day test. Standardized exercise tests (SETs) were performed in week 1 (SET-I), 6 (SET-II), and 10 (SET-III) of the 70-day test, measuring heart rate (HR) and plasma lactate concentration (LA). Linear mixed effect models were used to analyze the EW, and the HR and LA related to the SETs. The EW increased from the preparation period to the 70-day test; this increase in the EW was lower compared with the original training program. The horses showed lower HR and LA levels in SET-III compared with SET-I. The young Friesian horses were at risk to be overtrained in part one, but the adapted training program resulted in increased fitness. This study shows that a carefully chosen program is necessary to improve the performance and welfare of (young) horses.