Genetic correlations between conformation traits and radiographic findings in the limbs of German Warmblood riding horses

Abstract

-Studbook inspection (SBI) data of 20 768German Warmblood mares and radiography results (RR) data of 5102 Hanoverian Warmblood horses were used for genetic correlation analyses. The scores on a scale from 0 to 10 were given for conformation and basic quality of gaits, resulting in 14 SBI traits which were used for the correlation analyses. The radiographic findings considered included osseous fragments in fetlock (OFF) and hock joints (OFH), deforming arthropathy in hock joints (DAH) and distinct radiographic findings in the navicular bones (DNB) which were analyzed as binary traits, and radiographic appearance of the navicular bones (RNB) which was analyzed as a quasi-linear trait. Genetic parameters were estimated multivariately in linear animal models with REML using information on 24 448 horses with SBI and/or RR records. The ranges of heritability estimates were h 2 = 0.14−0.34 for the RR traits and h 2 = 0.09−0.50 for the SBI traits. Negative additive genetic correlations of r g = −0.19 to −0.56 were estimated between OFF and conformation of front and hind limbs and walk at hand, and between DNB and hind limb conformation. There were indications of negative additive genetic correlations between DAH and all SBI traits, but because of low prevalence and low heritability of DAH, these results require further scrutiny. Positive additive genetic correlations of r g = 0.37−0.52 were estimated between OFF and withers height and between OFH and withers height, indicating that selection for taller horses will increase disposition to develop OFF and OFH. Selection of broodmares with regards to functional conformation will assist, but cannot replace possible selection against radiographic findings in the limbs of young Warmblood riding horses, particularly with regards to OFF. riding horse / conformation / studbook inspection / radiographic finding / additive genetic correlation

Genetic parameters estimation in an Italian horse native breed to support the conversion from agricultural uses to riding purposes

“…This might result in a sub‐optimal representation of the whole existing variability and in a negative impact on the heritability estimates. The correctness of the legs and gaits showed the two lowest heritability among the grading traits, which agrees with previous studies (Stock & Distl, ; Viklund et al, ). Since gaits are currently evaluated jointly, we recommend to redefine the trait by separating it into walk, trot and canter.…”

Genome-wide association studies for osteochondrosis in French Trotter horses1

“…Fetlock, hock, and stifle joints are mainly affected. Osteochondrosis manifestations appear to be of multifactorial origin and many factors including genetic predisposition (Jeffcott, 1991;Phihpsson et al, 1993;Stock and Distl, 2006a;van Weeren, 2006), nutrition, exercise, and other environmental effects seem to play a role in its pathogenesis. However, the etiology and physiopathology of OG are not fully understood.…”

Expression Levels of LCORL Are Associated with Body Size in Horses

“…The heritability of height at the withers was estimated to be medium to high in pony breeds. Particularly, in Haflinger and Shetland ponies high heritabilities at 0.79–0.89 were found [8]–[10] while Icelandic and Hanoverian warmblood showed medium values at 0.5–0.6 [11], [12]. The first attempt to identify patterns of skeletal size and shape variation among domestic horses has been made by principal component analyses [15].…”