How to Investigate Poor Performance in Practice

Successful performance in a sport horse is the sum of many factors inherent to individual qualities determined by genetic potential and temperament, good health, soundness and conformation. In an athlete with such an outstanding physiology, the efficient delivery of oxygen from the respiratory system to the muscles through cardiovascular distribution plays a paramount role, whatever the equestrian discipline. But the full expression of the horse’s potential also requires a finely-tuned management: the quality of the horse’s environment and nutrition, the way it is worked and brought to a satisfactory level of fitness, the careful preparation of competitions, as well as the follow-up of short and long term recovery. These measures contribute to the prevention of illness, likewise regular veterinary check-ups. If any of these ingredients come to miss, the horse’s athletic capacity weakens and poor performance can appear.

The life and work of sport horses confronts them to high levels of stress and risk factors, which may compromise performance. Assessing these risk factors is important to understand poor performance. Living in a box for over 20 hours a day may lead to respiratory, digestive or behavioural disorders. Feeding practises also have a significant impact on the horse’s health as imbalances in quantity and quality leads to metabolic or digestive disorders. Irregular or inappropriate training may generate lameness or muscular problems. Transportation and mingling during competitions also increases the risks of contracting a contagious infectious disease.In the occurrence of an episode of poor performance, the horse’s working program, and competition schedule should be initially carefully reviewed with all persons involved. The objectives missed and the level of performance expected should also be questioned, as an impression of poor performance can originate from excessive expectations. Could changes in the level of training or competing explain an increased fatigue? Have there been alterations in the horse’s diet or environment? Once these points have been addressed, a physical evaluation can be undertaken. [...]