UDC 636.1.04

CHOICE CRITERIONS OF HORSES FOR EQUISTREAN THEATRE

Lutsenko M. V., Petrushko N. P.

Kharkov State Zooveterinary Academy, Kharkov

The object of research and relevance. Horses in the age from 4 to 21 years, which took part in the equestrian theatre performances of Dergachy child-youthful horse racing school (DCUHRS) of Kharkov State Zooveterinary Academy (KSZA), have been taken for the investigations.

Equestrian theatres are one of the alternative ways of horse using. Equestrian theatre performances bring aesthetic pleasure, play big role in people forming of aspiration to the beautiful and in whole raise the moral level in the community.

But there are no data about the demands for horses, which perform in equestrian theatres and their work internals [4].

Research methods. We have determined what internals is needed to horses for the success performances in the equestrian theatre on the equestrian theatre of KSZA example. And based on it choice criterions for horses in this sphere have been worked out.

Research results. Equestrian theatres performances have their specificity: they take place in different, usually unadapted for this target, location. Therefore they need adequate, steady horses, which can quickly accommodate to unknown environment.

We have defined 26 horses of the equestrian theatre of KSZA [1], which take part in the performances. They are presented by 17 mares, what compiles 65,4%, 6 geldings - 19,2% and 4 stallions - 15,4% [3]. Geldings have average mark for abilities 7,6 by tenmarks scale, mares have average mark 6,1, stallions - 4,5. Therefore it is more effective to use mares and geldings in horse theatre, because stallions are more nervous and unstable, so they cann`t show their potential completely [2].

Younger horses in the age of 4 - 8 years have 7 – 14 performances during the season (36,4- 63,6% from all performances), generally on the local level. Horses of average and elder age (9 -21 years) have more performances during the season (68,2-100%). They give guest performances, perform solo and group tricks of different direction. Because older horses are good train and have preceding sport experience. Thanks to that they own by special skills and higher adaptation ability.

Facts of horses` participation successful dependence in equestrian theatre performances from the preceding sport career are shown in the tables 1.

Table 1. Results of horses` from the equestrian theatre participation in sport competitions during 2012 year.

Name	Age	Amount of starts	Amount of prize places	Per cent of participation in equestrian theatre performances
Stela	17	15	6	45,5
Vizavi	16	9	6	95,5
Horeograf	21	13	13	68,2
Ficus	13	32	19	95,5
Siren	13	29	9	100
Simvol	17	34	7	100
Hala	6	13	6	100
Benta-Mechta	16	7	5	63,6
Businka	7	8	3	100
Reya	6	14	2	50
Scritna	7	17	1	54,5
Besta	6	3	3	63,6
Hakasia	6	8	1	54,5
Bishtau	7	6	1	36,4
Hiba	9	1	1	77,3
Zabava	6	5	-	50
Brunetka	7	5	-	59,1
Sens	5	4	-	63,6
Avantura	10	4	-	50
Secretarsha	7	2	-	59,1
Brend	4	2	1	50

Table shows, that the best horses of the equestrian theatre of average and elder age have 7 – 34 competitions during the season and 20,6 – 100 % of prize places among them. Younger horses, which have high per cent of participation in equestrian theatre performances, have 8 – 13 competitions during the season and 38 - 46 % of prize places. Mares Hiba and Secretarsha are the exception, because they don`t show success in sport, but have high per cent of participation in equestrian theatre performances, because own by specific skills of unsporting character and by strong steady type of nervous activities.

Conclusions

Recommended choice criterions of horses for the equestrian theatre:

· age – from 4 years and older

· mare or gelding

· strong steady type of nervous activities

· good train

· preceding sport preparation.

Literature

1. Vіdomіst' reєstrіv bonіtuvannya plemіnnih konej na 01.01.2011 r. DDYuKSSh pri HDZVA.

2. Gorelov K.I., Yakovlev A.A. Trening i ispytanie verhovyh loshadej. - M.: Sel'hozizdat, 1954.

3. Rezul'tati pіdrahunku rejtingu konej KSK HDZVA.

4. Sergienko S.S. Nauchnye osnovy trenirovki loshadej / S.Sergienko //Konevodstvo i konnyj sport, 2005. - № 3. - S. 2 - 3.