Associations of health status and conformation with longevity and lifetime competition performance in young Swedish Warmblood riding horses: 8,238 cases (1983-2005).
Abstract: To determine associations of health status and conformation with competition longevity and lifetime performance in young Swedish Warmblood riding horses. Methods: Cohort study and genetic analysis. Methods: 8,238 horses. Methods: Horses were examined for health, conformation, and performance from 1983 to 2005, when they were 4 to 5 years old, and competition results from 1983 to 2012 were evaluated. Associations between conformation, health, and talent scores of young horses and longevity (years in competition) and lifetime performance were analyzed. Odds ratios of competing later in life among horses with joint flexion test reactions were determined. Genetic correlations between young horse health, conformation, and talent scores and longevity and lifetime performance were determined. Results: Good overall 4- to 5-year-old health, conformation, and talent scores for performance were phenotypically and genetically associated with greater longevity and lifetime performance. Good health was genetically correlated (rg = 0.3) to longevity and lifetime performance. Among conformation traits, body type and movements in the trot were most strongly associated with future longevity; these were genetically correlated (rg = 0.2 to 0.3) to longevity and lifetime performance. Intermediate-sized horses were associated with highest longevity and lifetime performance. Positive flexion test results were associated with lower ORs (OR, 0.59 for moderate to severe and 0.76 for minor reactions) of competing later in life, compared with no reaction, and were associated with lower longevity (0.4 years). Conclusions: Horses with good health and conformation at a young age had better longevity in competitions than the mean. Positive correlations suggested that improvement of health and conformation of young horses will enhance their future athletic talent and performance.
Publication Date: 2014-05-30 PubMed ID: 24871069DOI: 10.2460/javma.244.12.1449Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This is a research study to understand the relation between the health status, conformation (physique and structure) of young Swedish Warmblood riding horses and their performance and longevity in competitions. The study found that horses with good health and conformation at a young age performed better and lasted longer in competitions.
Research Methodology
- The study is a retrospective cohort study that utilized data from 1983 to 2005. A total of 8238 Swedish Warmblood riding horses were included, all of which were evaluated for their health, conformation, and performance when they were 4 to 5 years old.
- The performance of these horses was then tracked from 1983 to 2012 by examining competition results.
Results
- The research found that horses with good overall health, conformation, and talent scores at 4 to 5 years of age tend to have greater longevity and performance in their lifetime.
- Among conformation traits, body type and movement in trot were most strongly associated with future longevity. Horses with intermediate size showed the highest longevity and performance.
- Health and conformation were also found to be genetically correlated with longevity and lifetime performance, with genetic correlation scores (rg) of 0.3.
- Positive flexion test results (a test that assesses joint health) were associated with lower odds of competing later in life and lower longevity.
Conclusions
- This study concludes that young horses with good health and proper conformation stand a better chance of longevity in competitions compared to the mean.
- The positive correlation implies that by improving the health and conformation of young horses, their future athletic performance can be enhanced.
- The results also suggest that factors like health, conformation, and size can be indicators of a horse’s future competitive performance and longevity in competitions.
Cite This Article
APA
Jönsson L, Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Näsholm A, Dalin G, Philipsson J.
(2014).
Associations of health status and conformation with longevity and lifetime competition performance in young Swedish Warmblood riding horses: 8,238 cases (1983-2005).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 244(12), 1449-1461.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.244.12.1449 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cohort Studies
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion
- Longevity / physiology
- Odds Ratio
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
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