Multi‐trait animal model estimation of genetic parameters for linear type and gait traits in the Belgian warmblood horse

Rustin, M; Janssens, Steven; Buys, Nadine; Gengler, Nicolas

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0388.2008.00798.x

Cited by 54 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…For example, the heritability of height at withers has been reported to be 0.88 in Thoroughbreds above one year of age (Hintz et al, 1978), 0.20 in the Dutch Warmblood (Koenen et al, 1995), 0.79 in the Haflinger breed (Miglior et al, 1998), 0.73 in Norwegian Cold-blooded Trotters (Dolvik and Klemetsdal, 1999), 0.59 in the Andalusian horse (Molina et al, 1999), 0.47 in the Mangalarga breed (Mota et al, 2006), 0.67 in Austrian Noriker draught horse (Druml et al, 2008) and 0.34 in the Belgian warmblood horse (Rustin et al, 2009). For morphological partial scores, heritability estimates for leg stances are generally in the range of 0.08 (Druml et al, 2008;Saastamoinen et al, 1998;Thoren Hellsten et al, 2009) and 0.29 (Molina et al, 1999), while for overall type impression the heritability estimates are usually between about 0.20 (Christmann et al, 1995) and 0.30 (Albertsdottir et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, a final score resulting from the weighted sum of the partial morphological scores is highly dependent on the scale used when they are judged and classified, as detected in our path analysis (Table 2), which disclosed discrepancies between the expected and realized weights given to each partial grade. One possibility of improving the accuracy of selection for morphology and gaits would be to adopt a linear scoring system in which the traits, rather than being scored on their desirability, are evaluated in a continuous scale that corresponds to their expression between two biological extremes, which has much better distribution properties (Rustin et al, 2009;Samoré et al, 1997). Also, new approaches in judging horse dynamics, including detailed movement evaluations and the assessment of impaired balance (Becker et al, 2013) may be helpful in selection for improved gaits performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Selection for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses: I. Genetic parameter estimates

et al. 2014

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a b s t r a c tGenetic parameters were estimated for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses by uni-and multivariate animal models. Morphological traits considered in the analyses were partial scores attributed to up to 18,076 horses at the time of registration in the studbook and included head and neck, shoulder and withers, chest and thorax, back and loin, croup, legs and overall impression, plus a final score computed by summing the partial morphological scores and the gaits score. The functional traits considered were the scores obtained in the dressage and maneability trials of working equitation (WE, about 1500 records by 200 horses), and classical dressage (12,131 records by 759 horses). The heritability (h 2 ) estimates for all partial morphological scores ranged between 0.12 and 0.18, except for legs (0.07). The h 2 for final score, height at withers and gaits was 0.18, 0.61 and 0.17, respectively, while for WE dressage trial and classical dressage it was 0.32 and for WE maneability trial it was 0.18. The genetic correlations (r G ) of final score with the different partial scores were generally high (0.56-0.95), while among partial components of morphology they were positive but widely different (0.08-0.77). With the exception of legs, r G between morphology/gaits and functional traits were positive, with a stronger relationship between morphological traits and performance in WE dressage trial (r G between 0.36 and 0.56) when compared with performance in maneability trial or classical dressage. Height at withers had a r G of 0.40 with performance in classical dressage, but lower r G (0.06 and À 0.10) with WE trials. Final score and overall impression had moderate to strong genetic relationships with functional traits, especially with WE dressage trial, while gaits had a strong r G with performance in all the disciplines (0.60-0.72). Indirect selection for morphology/gaits to improve functionality was assessed, by selecting for final score or a combined index of partial scores. Compared to direct selection for functionality, selection for final score or an index combining partial morphological scores would be less effective, resulting in accuracies of, respectively, 0.28 and 0.37 for WE dressage trial, 0.14 and 0.38 for WE maneability trial and 0.22 and 0.39 for classical dressage. Thus, an index combining all partial morphological scores would be better than selection for overall final score, but its relative efficiency compared to direct selection would be about 0.7 in WE dressage trial and classical dressage, and 0.9 in WE maneability trial. Lusitano horses maintain considerable levels of genetic variability, and selection for both morphology and functionality should be effective. The favorable genetic relationships existing between morphology and performance indicate that morphology/gaits traits can play an important role in a two-stage selection program, contributing to enhance selection

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses: I. Genetic parameter estimates

et al. 2014

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“…Therefore, the distribution of scores in our study was not as wide as it should have been, but biological traits obtained from field data are seldom strictly normally distributed (Schroderus and Ojala, 2010;Suontama et al, 2011) and the use of a subjective classification scale narrower than intended is a common observation in horse breeding programs (Preisinger et al, 1991;Rustin et al, 2009). …”

Section: Traitsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Genetic parameters for harmony and gaits in Hispano-Arabe horses estimated by Bayesian methods and Restricted Maximum Likelihood

et al. 2016

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“…Other rules include the costume of the rider, which is modelled on 18 th and 19 th century Menorcan attire, and the rider holding the reins in only one hand. The conformation is of primary interest to breeders and owners, since the overall body shape defines the limits of the range of movement, the function of the horse and its ability to perform (Mawdsley et al, 1996;Rustin et al, 2009). Therefore, the selection to improve the functionality could lead to changes in some morphological traits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of genetic parameters for morphological and functional traits in a Menorca horse population

Solé

Cervantes²,

Gutiérrez³

et al. 2014

Span. j. agric. res.

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Functional conformation and performance in Classic and Menorca Dressage are the main selection criteria in the Menorca Horse breeding program. Menorca Dressage is an alternative Classical Dressage discipline which is exclusive of the Menorca Island, but including a series of movements that the animals perform in the traditional festivities called "Jaleo Menorquín". One of these movements involves the horse raising its forelimbs and standing or walking on its hindlimbs, which is called "el bot". To make the Menorca horse breed more competitive in the equestrian market, it is necessary to understand the genetic background that characterizes the aptitude for Menorca Dressage and its relationship with conformation traits. The analysed data consisted of 15 conformation traits from 347 Menorca horses (200 males and 147 females), with 1,550 performance records in Menorca Dressage competitions. Genetic parameters were estimated using linear and threshold animal models. The heritabilities for heights and lengths were high (0.45-0.76), those for angulations and binary conformation traits were low to moderate (0.10-0.36) as were the scores for dressage performance (0.13-0.21). The results suggest that the analyzed traits could be used as an efficient tool for selecting breeding horses.Additional key words: dressage; morphology; Bayesian; heritability; local breed.* Corresponding author: ge2sobem@uco.es Received: 02-07-13. Accepted: 07-01-14.Abbreviations used: FS (final score); HBV (hock back view); HLH (hind leg hooves); LSM (least square means); MM (Menorca movements).

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Multi‐trait animal model estimation of genetic parameters for linear type and gait traits in the Belgian warmblood horse

Cited by 54 publications

References 14 publications

Selection for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses: I. Genetic parameter estimates

Selection for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses: I. Genetic parameter estimates

Genetic parameters for harmony and gaits in Hispano-Arabe horses estimated by Bayesian methods and Restricted Maximum Likelihood

Estimation of genetic parameters for morphological and functional traits in a Menorca horse population

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