PSXV-16 - Association of Experience and Pre-race Behavior in Performance Among Racing Quarter Horses

Abstract: The annual average cost of maintaining a racehorse will typically outweigh its earning, making it important that the horse performs above average. The goal of this study was to investigate if the age or experience level of a racehorse could be associated with performance. This study observed pre-racing Quarter Horses (n = 1,033) behavior during one racing season at Delta Downs racetrack (Vinton, LA). The horses were placed into groups based on race experience (0-2, 3-10, and 11+ total races). Horse pre-race before saddling (BSAD), saddling (SAD), after saddling (ASAD) and post-parade (POST) behaviors (calm, ready or nervous) were observed to identify if the horse was calm, ready, or nervous. The behavior types were recorded as categorical variables in this study and were analyzed using proc FREQ, and the finish was recorded as a quantitative variable and were analyzed using proc GLM with (P < 0.05) being statistically different. Horses with 11+ races had a mean±SE finish (4.9±0.1), better (P< 0.05), than horses with 3 to 10 races (4.8±0.2) and both were better (P< 0.05) than horses with 0 to 2 races experience (5.5±0.2). Race experience was also associated with pre-race behaviors. There were more (P< 0.05) horses with 0 to 2 races experience that were classified as nervous during the BSAD (39/326, 11.9%), SAD (29/326, 8.9%), ASAD (13/325, 4.0%) and POST (17/320, 5.3%) compared with horses with 11 plus races experience; BSAD (5/343, 1.5%), SAD (16/343, 4.7%), ASAD (4/343, 1.2%) and POST (1/341, 0.3%). The improvement in race finish among horses with more experience could be that they have been placed in more suitable levels of racing competition compared with unexperienced horses. However, the additional racing experience was associated with less stress or fear-full behaviors pre-race that can result in a reduction of available energy to possibly prolonged elevated cortisol concentrations.