Farm breeding of cattle is organized so that the animals are kept in a controlled environment (an closed corner, feeding time, milking time, workers), where daily animal encounter with familiar sounds, smells, movements and equipment. Any positive or negative change of environment causes certain physiological reactions of cattle on it. Negative stimuli (relocation, new technological activities, unidentified sounds and people) disrupt the homeostasis of the animals and lead them into a state of stress. During stress in cattle appears central inhibition of milk ejection from the alveoli of the udder, causing its incomplete emptying which could lead to pathological changes. In stressful situation, there is a connection between nervous (SA system), endocrine (HPA-axis) and the immune system. Stimuli from the outside were obtained through sight, hearing, smell and touch, leading to nerve impulses which then activate the endocrine system (increased levels of cortisol, β-endorphin, adrenaline, and reducing levels of oxytocin in the blood), whose actions over a long time lead to decline in immune response and susceptibility to disease. Many studies suggest an association between central inhibition of milk ejection and stressful situations (first milking of primiparious cattle, environment changes), but the very principle of inhibition is not fully understood. Some studies indicate an association between endogenous opioids (β-endorphin) and catecholamines (adrenalin) in the central inhibition of milk ejection, however, there is still no clear evidence and there is still plenty to do in this area.
The FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) is the international governing body for equestrian sport which established the new rules and regulations regarding the driving sport and the welfare of the horse from the aspect of animals' well-being (FEI, 2009ab). The FEI rules are applied to the Olympic disciplines of Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing as well as Endurance Riding, Vaulting, Driving and Reining. The purpose of this paper was to present the FEI rules for international combined driving events which are prescribed by the national Rules and Regulations of the Croatian Equestrian Federation (HKS, 2007). The welfare of the horse must be beyond the economic interest and the demands of breeders, trainers, riders, owners, organizers, sponsors or officials. Good horse management requires the highest standards of nutrition, health, sanitation and safety. During transportation, feeding, watering, ventilation, weather conditions and safety must be taken into consideration. All riding and training methods in all stages of driving sport must treat horses as living beings and must not include any techniques which are not approved by the FEI and are degrading for the horse or cause them injuries and pain. Championships in driving sport (Dressage, Marathon, Obstacle Cones Driving) in Croatia are organized according to the FEI rules and the Croatian representative qualified in the last two World Championships in twohorse team driving (Baban et al., 2007, 2009). However, regardless of the individual success of Croatian drivers on the international scene, the traditional attitude of other drivers towards horses is still at a low level regarding the rules for the welfare of the horse. The competence of the driver is essential in the interests of the horse and the emphasis is placed on the practical experience of drivers and scientific research. The FEI especially encourages all those who participate in driving sport to achieve the highest level of education in training and management of horses. For this reason, within the scientific project, the education and training on the international level have been provided for the judges, who spread their in driving sport in Croatia. More time is needed for the full implementation of the FEI rules for the welfare of the horse at competitions in Croatia in order for all two-horse team drivers to understand that the welfare of their horses is more important than placement in competitions and money awards.
Horse breeding in the Republic of Croatia, before its entrance into European Union, is in the transitional period. In the breeding sense, Croatian horse breeding is set according to the model of European countries and is trying to counteract with "modern horse breeding countries". Croatian Center for Horse Breeding-Đakovo and Lipik State Stud Farms (CCHB), with the Central register of equidae is, as the head national institution, responsible for running and maintaining national central equidae database (49 registers of horses and 27 registers of breeding types). Croatia has registered total of 21.796 equidae, from which 19.306 animals are horses. Registered horses according to groups make the total proportion of 37% warmblood horses, 59% coldblood horses and 4% ponies. Horse breeders are organized in breeders associations, which form federations of associations referring to separate horse breeds. Currently in Croatia there are four federations of breeders associations (with 43 associations and 11 private stud farms). Those verified breeding organizations are conducting independently breeding programs and fully maintain breeding and selection obligations for horse breeds for which they have approval of the Croatian Ministry. Native breeds in Croatia are Croatian Coldblood, Croatian Posavac and Međimurje horse (Murinsulaner), while Lipizzan horse is considered as protected breed. Development of horse breeding is considerably supported with national subsidies. Internationally verified breeds which are bred in Croatia are Lipizzan horse, Pure Arabian horses, Thoroughbred, Haflinger and Gidran horses. The horse breeding in Croatia is developing in four different directions. Ecological breeding implies native horse breeds and is spread on the areas of protected nature resorts in Croatia. Croatians are through their history connected to horse breeding, which is even today irreplaceable in traditional cultural manifestations (Đakovački vezovi, Vinkovačke jeseni, Sinjska alka, etc.), various horse shows and fairs and also in more "modern" ways through recreation and entertainment. The third direction of M. Baban et al. 416 development of horse breeding in Croatia is therapeutic riding, which includes 26 associations, over one hundred horses and over one thousand users organized under the Therapeutic Riding Association of Croatia. Sports horse breeding represents fourth direction in Croatian horse breeding. It is formed by four federations: Croatian Trotting Federation (trotting), Croatian Gallop Federation (gallop sport) and Croatian Equestrian Federation (endurance, dressage, military, show jumping, driving). Croatian Equestrian Federation includes 49 equestrian clubs. In the last four years between 455 and 582 competitors and between 495 and 581 horses (for show jumping 45%, dressage 31%, endurance 19%, driving 5% and military) were licensed annually. Croatia achieved noticeable results on the international scene in driving sports and in Paralympics. In all mentioned directions of Croatian horse breeding, the tendency s...
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