[Assessment of hereditary defects and dispositions of the horse under animal welfare aspects].

This research paper discusses the importance of considering hereditary diseases and conditions in horse breeding for animal welfare. The study argues for a more objective assessment of pain and harm caused by such diseases to promote healthier breeding practices.

Understanding the Importance of Heredity in Equine Breeding

• The research highlights the lack of awareness about the role of heredity in common horse diseases among veterinarians, horse breeders, and breeding association judges.
• It stresses the need to consider the heritability or assumed heritability of these diseases for proper equine breeding, and for understanding their etiology – the study of the cause of these diseases.

Promoting Animal Welfare in Equine Breeding

• The paper advocates for greater emphasis on animal welfare in equine breeding by focusing more on objective assessments of the pain, suffering, and damage caused by various hereditary diseases.
• It proposes that guidelines, set by the state and breeding associations, respecting animal welfare should form the basis of hygienic breeding assessments.

Considering Hereditary Diseases in Animal Welfare

• The research suggests that proven hereditary diseases, or those that potentially risk causing pain, suffering, or damage, should be a critical factor in horse breeding to safeguard animal welfare.
• Particularly, the study mentions certain diseases – Osteochondritis dissecans, deep flexor tendon contracture in the foal, navicular disease, tarsal osteoarthritis, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, and Overo-lethal-white-foal-syndrome as they need to be taken into account during the breeding process.