Genetic parameters of linear scored conformation traits and their relation to dressage and show-jumping performance in the Dutch Warmblood Riding Horse population

Koenen, E.P.C.; Veldhuizen, A.E. van; Brascamp, E.W.

doi:10.1016/0301-6226(95)00010-i

Cited by 111 publications

(146 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

128

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Due to this situation, typical for horse breeding programs, several studies analyzed the relationship of indicator traits derived from linear type trait scoring procedures with performance data collected in the field or at standardized test situations (Koenen et al, 1995;Molina et al, 1999;Cervantes et al, 2009;Viklund et al, 2010;Sanchez et al, 2013). The derived correlation structures are still strong strategic and economic arguments for breeding organizations to focus on conformational evaluations of type, leg and gait traits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of novel phenotyping methods for validation of equine conformation scoring results

Druml

Dobretsberger

Brem

2015

Animal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this experiment, which is based on a cohort of 44 Lipizzan mares from the Austrian state stud farm of Piber, we present new statistical techniques for the analysis of shape and equine conformation using image data. In addition, we examined which strategies and procedures of image processing techniques led to a successful interpretation of the traits implemented in horse breeding programs. A total of 246 two-dimensional anatomical and somatometric landmarks were digitized from standardized photographs, and the variation of shape has been analyzed by the use of generalized orthogonal least-squares Procrustes (generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA)) procedures. The resulting shape variables have been regressed on the results from linear type trait classifications. In addition, the rating scores of six conformation classifiers were tested for agreement, yielding an interrater correlation (inter-class correlation) ranging from 0.41 to 0.68, respectively, a κ coefficient ranging from 0.16 to 0.53. From the 12 linear type traits assessed on a valuating scale, only the type-related traits (type, breed-type and harmony) revealed significant (P < 0.05) results in the regression analysis of shape variables on linear type traits. The other nine traits were characterized by a lower agreement between classifiers and did not result in a significant 'shape regression'. Finally, the 'horse shape space' defined by shape variables resulting from GPA procedures offered the possibility to assist in trait definition and in the evaluation of ratings, and it is an adequate biological and objective scale to human perception of conformation, which is expressed in numerical data only.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of novel phenotyping methods for validation of equine conformation scoring results

Druml

Dobretsberger

Brem

2015

Animal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For withers height, HINTZ et al (1978), in a study with Thoroughbred horses (0-714 days), found moderate to high heritability coefficients, which ranged from 0.33±0.04 to 0.88±0.05. On the other hand, KOENEN et al (1995), evaluating 3 to 7 year-old Dutch Warmblood mares, estimated heritability values of 0.19 and 0.20 for length and height at withers, respectively, although SAMORE et al (1997) For height, the values of heritability estimated ranged between 0.08 and 0.98 and the highest estimate was found between 300 and 340 days of age. Hence, from the heritability coefficients, it will be possible to perform selection.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Heritability estimates for body weight and height at withers in Brazilian army horses

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Linear conformation and performance evaluation systems have been rarely used for horses (e.g. Koenen et al, 1995), but are supposed to minimize subjective influences of judges. However, due to the enormous increase of evaluation efforts and the required complete re-definition of traits, the traditional evaluation systems have not yet been replaced and will probably not in the near future be replaced by linear systems in the German Warmblood horse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, no conformation traits and no distinct performance traits such as quality of trot or rideability have been directly related to the most -E-mail: Kathrin-Friederike.Stock@tiho-hannover.de important radiographic findings yet. Given the significant genetic correlations within and between the groups of conformation, performance and radiographic health traits in the Warmblood horse (Koenen et al, 1995;Stock and Distl, 2006a, 2006b, 2006cand 2007Thorén Hellsten et al, 2006), accuracy of genetic evaluation and expected selection responses should benefit from joint genetic analysis of all traits relevant for selection. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and predict breeding values for conformation, performance and radiographic health traits in the Warmblood riding horse and to compare the expected selection responses to different modes of sire selection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple-trait selection for radiographic health of the limbs, conformation and performance in Warmblood riding horses

Stock

Distl

2008

Animal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Information on 26 434 German Warmblood horses born between 1992 and 2001 was used for multivariate genetic analyses of radiographic health, conformation and performance traits to compare different modes of single-and multiple-trait selection of sires. Results of standardized radiological examinations of 5155 Hanoverian Warmblood horses, conformation evaluations from studbook inspections of 20 603 mares, and performance evaluations from mare performance tests and auction horse inspections of 16 098 horses were used for multivariate genetic analyses. Genetic parameters were estimated with restricted maximum likelihood (REML), and relative breeding values (RBV) were predicted with best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) in multivariate linear animal models for four radiographic health traits, three conformation traits and five performance traits. Heritability estimates for osseous fragments in fetlock joints (OFF), osseous fragments in hock joints (OFH), deforming arthropathy in hock joints (DAH) and distinct radiographic findings in the navicular bones (DNB) ranged between 0.15 and 0.35 after transformation to the liability scale. Front limb conformation, hind limb conformation, withers height, walk, trot, canter, rideability and free jumping showed heritabilities between 0.09 and 0.49 and additive genetic correlations with OFF, OFH, DAH and DNB ranging between 20.53 and 10.52. Selection of sires was based on RBV or combinations of RBV, with selection for individual traits or traits from one of the three considered trait groups being considered as single-trait selection, and selection for traits from more than one trait group being considered as multiple-trait selection. The selection modes were compared by means of the expected selection response after one generation, calculated as the relative change in the prevalences of the radiographic findings or the mean conformation or performance scores in the offspring of the selected sires when compared with the offspring of all sires. The prevalences of OFF, OFH, DAH and DNB decreased by 30% to 57% after single-trait selection and 14% to 29% after multiple-trait selection, while mean conformation and performance scores increased by up to 4%. The results indicated that it is possible to simultaneously improve the radiographic health of the limbs, limb conformation, quality of gaits and rideability. However, genetic progress in free jumping ability and style could only be achieved by single-or multiple-trait selection with focus on jumping performance.

show abstract

Genetic parameters of linear scored conformation traits and their relation to dressage and show-jumping performance in the Dutch Warmblood Riding Horse population

Cited by 111 publications

References 15 publications

The use of novel phenotyping methods for validation of equine conformation scoring results

The use of novel phenotyping methods for validation of equine conformation scoring results

Heritability estimates for body weight and height at withers in Brazilian army horses

Multiple-trait selection for radiographic health of the limbs, conformation and performance in Warmblood riding horses

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About