THE EFFECT OF FIRST COMPETITION SEASON ON A YOUNG JUMPING HORSE

Sa？etak The aim of this study was to show the effect of first competition season on the organism of a young jumping horse (aged four and five). The research was conducted on six young stallions trained and used in jumping equestrian sports. All stallions were breeding type Croatian sports horse. The trainings in hurdle jumping in the parkour were monitored in two repetitions, at the beginning (May) and in the end (September) of the competition season. All the horses during the competition period in two repetitions (May and September) passed the same intensity of trainings in hurdle jumping in the parkour. The samples of saliva were taken before the jumping parkour; in the 60th, 15th minute and immediately before the jumping parkour, then after the jumping parkour; immediately and in the 5th, 15th, and 120th minute after the jumping parkour. The efforts during the first competition season through training and competition resulted in 23.63% reduction in cortisol concentrations in saliva during September in comparison to May. In accordance to determined values of cortisol concentrations in saliva of a young jumping horses, it could be concluded that horses during September identical parkour overcome with less stress and fear. The first competition season resulted in adaptation of young jumping horse to stress and fear that is present in jumping equestrian sports