Correlations of unfavorable movement characteristics in warmblood foals and mares with routinely assessed conformation and performance traits

Becker, André; Stock, K. F.; Distl, O.

doi:10.1017/s1751731112001322

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…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%

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%

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

et al. 2014

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“…If the horse lacks the ability to carry weight on its hindlimbs, the result could be an unbalanced horse, heavy in front and unsuitable to perform at the highest levels (Holmström et al, 1994). Moreover, unfavorable genetic correlations have recently been found between indications of imbalance and dressage-related conformation and performance traits (Becker et al, 2013). Thus, the results of this work could possibly contribute to a better understanding of which could be the 'key' traits to consider and the factors limiting the Lusitano horse's ability for sport performance (i.e.…”

Section: Genetics Of Kinematic Traits In Lusitano Horsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic analysis of kinematic traits at the trot in Lusitano horse subpopulations with different types of training

Solé

Santos

Molina

et al. 2014

Animal

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The possibility of using quantitative kinematic traits as indirect selection criteria for sport performance could be beneficial to perform an early genetic evaluation of the animals. The genetic parameters for objectively measured kinematic traits under field conditions have been estimated for the first time, in order to potentially use these traits as indicators of gait quality in future selection of the Lusitano breed. The repeatability within three different types of training (dressage, bullfighting and untrained) was also discussed. A total of 176 males (4 to 14 years old) were recorded at trot in hand using a 3D videographic system. The speed and 10 kinematic traits were studied (one temporal, two linear and seven angular variables). The genetic parameters of the kinematic variables were estimated using VCE software. The heritability estimates were moderate to high (0.18 to 0.53). The stride length and the forelimb angular variables presented the highest heritabilities (0.49 to 0.53), whereas the hindlimb angular variables revealed the lowest values (0.18 to 0.40). More than half of the genetic correlations were moderately to highly positive (mostly 0.20 to 0.70; up to 0.88 between hindlimb traits). The dressage and bullfighting groups presented the highest repeatabilities (over 0.6) in the majority of the traits, maybe because of the acquired gait regularity expected in animals subjected to specific training, and suggesting a greater influence of the individuals over the kinematic traits studied in these two subpopulations than in the untrained subpopulation. The longer swing phase duration and the larger range of motion of the elbow, hock and pelvis joints observed in the dressage group may indicate a better gait quality of this group, according to FEI (International Equestrian Federation) standards. The bullfighting and untrained groups were more similar to each other in terms of kinematic traits. Selection of young horses for characteristics such as stride length and the hindlimbs traits can apparently contribute to further genetic improvement of the performance of Lusitano breed.

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“…Another possibility of correction of horse evaluation was discussed in the paper that studied benefits of descriptive (linear) evaluation (Rustin et al 2009). The usefulness of biokinematics in research on dressage horse judgement was underlined as an explanation for introduction of new traits for gait evaluation (Becker et al 2012, Becker et al 2013. Some new possibilities were also seen by using behavioural tests (König von Borstel et al 2012).…”

Section: Correlations Between Judges' Scores and Measured Jumping Parmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of the judge and definition of the trait for horse free jumping evaluation

Lewczuk¹

2013

Arch. Anim. Breed.

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The presented research investigates the effect of the judge on scores for horse free jumping skills, the agreement of judge's scores and relations of these scores with measured jumping parameters received by video image analysis in order to recognise judging preferences and trait definition. The investigation was based on a group of 32 warm-blooded stallions that were judged in free jumping by six experienced judges in five routinely evaluated jumping traits. Simultaneously horses were filmed during jumping and linear jumping parameters were measured. Additional jumping parameters were calculated to describe the jumping style in a more detailed way. The influence of the effect of the judge was estimated by analysis of variance, the relationships between judges' notes and jumping parameters by analysis of correlations. The effect of the judge was statistically significant for all traits. The correlations between individual judges' notes were not equal. The notes for particular traits were in some cases more correlated with other traits like with notes for the same trait. Mean notes for evaluated traits were correlated above 0.6 between each other. Correlations between judges' notes and measured jumping parameters were low and medium. Some jumping parameters were correlated with all traits whereas some parameters were not correlated at all. Received results showed that the definition of the traits evaluated by judges is not the same for all of them. However, for all judges the distance of landing, elevation of the body and lifting of front limbs were the most important parameters of the jump.

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Correlations of unfavorable movement characteristics in warmblood foals and mares with routinely assessed conformation and performance traits

Cited by 8 publications

References 22 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 analysis of kinematic traits at the trot in Lusitano horse subpopulations with different types of training

Effect of the judge and definition of the trait for horse free jumping evaluation

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