FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Comparison of American Quarter Horses Competing in Western P...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(10); doi: 10.3390/ani11102861

Comparison of American Quarter Horses Competing in Western Pleasure, Hunter under Saddle, and Reining Using Linear Traits.

Abstract: To investigate differences in American Quarter Horses conformation suggesting specialization and subpopulations within the breed, a total of 45 horses were studied. These horses were classified according to their specific sport discipline: Western Pleasure (WPL, n = 15), Hunter under Saddle (HUS, n = 15), and Reining (RN, n = 15). Fifteen linear traits (comprising lengths, angles, and circumferences) were measured analogically and photometrically. Afterwards, 9 ratios and differences were calculated, so that a total of 24 traits were examined. The results showed significant differences between horses depending on their sport discipline. HUS horses were significant taller and were characterized by higher values in (nearly) all length traits; they were followed by WPL and RN horses. RN horses displayed the lowest values in length traits but the largest difference between height at withers and height at croup. Nine parameters were analyzed through correlations to the height at withers; all differences were significant, with high to moderate correlation coefficients. The detected differences between the groups support recent studies on the conformation and genotype of subpopulations within a breed and reveal new findings in relation to the selected disciplines. Image analysis worked well and provided reliable data; therefore, this method can be used to examine horses in a time-efficient manner, reducing the stress caused to the animal. Further studies are required to gain more information and to associate the features of AQH anatomic structures with successful performance.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-09-30 PubMed ID: 34679888PubMed Central: PMC8532615DOI: 10.3390/ani11102861Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study is about the physical differences among American Quarter Horses based on the specific sport they participate in. It found that Horses used for Hunter under Saddle were generally taller and longer than those used for Western Pleasure and Reining, which had more modest length traits.

Objective and Methodology

  • This research aimed to examine the physical differences within the American Quarter Horse breed based on their specific sporting discipline.
  • The sample included 45 horses divided into three sport categories: Western Pleasure, Hunter under Saddle, and Reining, with 15 horses in each category.
  • The researchers measured 15 linear traits of each horse including length, angle, and circumference measurements taken both using traditional methods and photo-based measurements.
  • Based on these measurements, researchers computed nine additional ratios and differences to study a total of 24 traits.

Results

  • The results of the study revealed significant differences among horses based on their sporting discipline.
  • Hunter under Saddle horses were found to be significantly taller and had higher values for almost all length traits. They were followed by horses used for Western Pleasure and Reining.
  • Reining horses had the lowest length traits but had the largest difference between their height at the withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades) and the croup (the area where the back ends, just before the tail starts).
  • Nine parameters were analyzed in relation to the horse’s height at withers and all differences were significant with high to moderate correlation coefficients.

Implications

  • The findings of the study support earlier studies which suggest subpopulations within a horse breed based on their genotype and conformation.
  • The study also offers new findings pertaining to the chosen sport disciplines, suggesting that specific anatomical features may contribute to successful performance.
  • The method of image analysis used in this study was found to be efficient and reliable, and it lessens the stress inflicted on the horse, making it a preferred method for future research.
  • The findings of this study suggest a need for more research on the association between the features of American Quarter Horse anatomical structures and successful performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Roth IT, Schielke B, Rensing M, Bernau M. (2021). Comparison of American Quarter Horses Competing in Western Pleasure, Hunter under Saddle, and Reining Using Linear Traits. Animals (Basel), 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102861

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 10

Researcher Affiliations

Roth, Isabel Thea
  • Fakultät Agrarwirtschaft, Volkswirtschaft und Management, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany.
Schielke, Britta
  • Independent Researcher (former: Deutsche Quarter Horse Association Breeding Management), Wickengartenstraße 3, 35428 Langgöns, Germany.
Rensing, Markus
  • Independent Researcher (former: Deutsche Quarter Horse Association Breeding Management), Astenstraße 13, 57392 Schmallenberg, Germany.
Bernau, Maren
  • Fakultät Agrarwirtschaft, Volkswirtschaft und Management, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen, Neckarsteige 6-10, 72622 Nürtingen, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 31 references
  1. A. Q. H. Association Annual Report, Amarillo, Texas. 2019. [(accessed on 9 March 2019)]. Available online: https://www.aqha.com/documents/82601/1589238/2019+AQHA+Annual+Report.pdf/f16217ed-1057-37d1-5138-7927af693d62.
  2. DQHA Deutsche Quarter Horse Association e.V. 2014. [(accessed on 29 March 2021)]. Available online: https://www.dqha.de/zucht/zuchtziel/
  3. Meira CT, Curi RA, Silva JAIV, Corrêa MJM, de Oliveira HN, da Mota MDS. Morphological and Genomic Differences Between Cutting and Racing Lines of Quarter Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2013;33:244–249.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.07.001google scholar: lookup
  4. Avila F, Mickelson JR, Schaefer RJ, McCue M. Genome-Wide Signatures of Selection Reveal Genes Associated With Performance in American Quarter Horse Subpopulations. Front. Genet. 2018;9:249.
    doi: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00249pmc: PMC6060370pubmed: 30105047google scholar: lookup
  5. Beltrán NAR, Meira CT, De Oliveira HN, Pereira GL, Silva JAIV, Da Mota MDS, Curi RA. Prospection of genomic regions divergently selected in cutting line of Quarter Horses in relation to racing line. Livest. Sci. 2015;174:1–9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2015.01.011pubmed: 0google scholar: lookup
  6. Pereira GL, de Matteis R, Regitano LC, Chardulo LAL, Curi RA. MSTN, CKM, and DMRT3 Gene Variants in Different Lines of Quarter Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2015;39:33–37.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2015.09.001google scholar: lookup
  7. Holmström M, Philipsson J. Relationships between conformation, performance and health in 4-year-old swedish warmblood riding horses. Livest. Prod. Sci. 1993;33:293–312.
    doi: 10.1016/0301-6226(93)90009-7google scholar: lookup
  8. Barrey E, Desliens F, Poirel D, Biau S, Lemaire S, Rivero JLL, Langlois B. Early evaluation of dressage ability in different breeds. Equine Vet. J. 2010;34:319–324.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05440.xpubmed: 12405708google scholar: lookup
  9. Ducro BJ, Bovenhuis H, Back W. Heritability of foot conformation and its relationship to sports performance in a Dutch Warmblood horse population. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:139–143.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X366130pubmed: 19418741google scholar: lookup
  10. Sánchez MJ, Gomez MD, Peña F, Monterde JG, Morales JL, Molina A, Valera M. Relationship between conformation traits and gait characteristics in Pura Raza Español horses. Arch. Tierzucht. 2013;56:137–148.
    doi: 10.7482/0003-9438-56-013google scholar: lookup
  11. Jönsson L, Näsholm A, Roepstorff L, Egenvall A, Dalin G, Philipsson J. Conformation traits and their genetic and phenotypic associations with health status in young Swedish warmblood riding horses. Livest. Sci. 2014;163:12–25.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.02.010google scholar: lookup
  12. Baban M, Curik I, Antunović B, Cacic M, Korabi N, Mijić P. Phenotypic Correlations of Stride Traits and Body Measurements in Lipizzaner Stallions and Mares. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2009;29:513–518.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.193google scholar: lookup
  13. Vicente A, Carolino N, Ralão-Duarte J, Gama L. Selection for morphology, gaits and functional traits in Lusitano horses: II. Fixed effects, genetic trends and selection in retrospect. Livest. Sci. 2014;164:13–25.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.03.017google scholar: lookup
  14. Guerrero MJS, Molina A, Gomez MD, Peña F, Valera M. Relationship between morphology and performance: Signature of mass-selection in Pura Raza Español horse. Livest. Sci. 2016;185:148–155.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2016.01.003google scholar: lookup
  15. Schroderus E, Ojala M. Estimates of genetic parameters for conformation measures and scores in Finnhorse and Standardbred foals. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 2010;127:395–403.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2010.00856.xpubmed: 20831564google scholar: lookup
  16. Druml T, Gabdulkhakova A, Artner N, Brem G, Kropatsch W. The Use of Image Data in the Assessment of Equine Conformation—Limitations and Solutions. Visual Observation and Analysis of Vertebrate and Insect Behavior 2014.
  17. Gmel AI, Druml T, Portele K, Von Niederhäusern R, Neuditschko M. Repeatability, reproducibility and consistency of horse shape data and its association with linearly described conformation traits in Franches-Montagnes stallions. PLoS ONE 2018;13:e0202931.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202931pmc: PMC6110498pubmed: 30148872google scholar: lookup
  18. dos Santos MR, Freiberger G, Bottin F, Chiocca M, Zampar A, Cucco DDC. Evaluation of methodologies for equine biometry. Livest. Sci. 2017;206:24–27.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.10.009google scholar: lookup
  19. Zechner P, Zohman F, Sölkner J, Bodó I, Habe F, Marti E, Brem G. Morphological description of the Lipizzan horse population. Livest. Prod. Sci. 2001;69:163–177.
    doi: 10.1016/S0301-6226(00)00254-2google scholar: lookup
  20. Komosa M, Frackowiak H, Purzyc H, Wojnowska A, Gramacki A, Gramacki J. Differences in exterior conformation between primitive, Half-bred and Thoroughbred horses: Anatomic-breeding approach. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 2013;91:1660–1668.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2012-5367pubmed: 23345554google scholar: lookup
  21. Solé M, Santos R, Gómez M, Galisteo A, Valera M. Evaluation of conformation against traits associated with dressage ability in unridden Iberian horses at the trot. Res. Vet. Sci. 2013;95:660–666.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.06.017pubmed: 23880096google scholar: lookup
  22. A Q H Association. Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations. .
  23. Galisteo A, Cano M, Morales J, Vivo J, Miró F. The Influence of Speed and Height at the Withers on the Kinematics of Sound Horses at the Hand-Led Trot. Vet. Res. Commun. 1998;22:415–424.
    doi: 10.1023/A:1006105614177pubmed: 9810638google scholar: lookup
  24. N R H Association. NRHA Handbook. .
  25. Brühschwein A, Klever J, Hoffmann A-S, Huber D, Kaufmann E, Reese S, Meyer-Lindenberg A. Free DICOM-Viewers for Veterinary Medicine. J. Digit. Imaging. 2019;33:54–63.
    doi: 10.1007/s10278-019-00194-3pmc: PMC7064695pubmed: 30859340google scholar: lookup
  26. Kuhnke S, Bär K, Bosch P, Rensing M, von Borstel UK. Evaluation of a Novel System for Linear Conformation, Gait, and Personality Trait Scoring and Automatic Ranking of Horses at Breed Shows: A Pilot Study in American Quarter Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2019;78:53–59.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.04.002pubmed: 31203984google scholar: lookup
  27. Anderson TM, McIlwraith CW. Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred. Equine Vet. J. 2004;34:563–570.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164044864507pubmed: 15581319google scholar: lookup
  28. Magnusson LE, Thafvellin B. Studies on the conformation and related traits of Standardbred trotters in Sweden. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 1990;107:135–148.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.1990.tb00019.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  29. Hildebrand M. The mechanics of horse legs. Am. Sci. 1987;75:594–601.
  30. Koenen E, van Veldhuizen A, Brascamp E. Genetic parameters of linear scored conformation traits and their relation to dressage and show-jumping performance in the Dutch Warmblood Riding Horse population. Livest. Prod. Sci. 1995;43:85–94.
    doi: 10.1016/0301-6226(95)00010-Igoogle scholar: lookup
  31. Holmstrom M, Magnusson L-E, Philipsson J. Variation in conformation of Swedish Warmblood horses and conformational characteristics of élite sport horses. Equine Vet. J. 1990;22:186–193.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04245.xpubmed: 2361507google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.