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 Conformation and Movement Characteristics in D...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(19); 3101; doi: 10.3390/ani13193101

Comparison of Conformation and Movement Characteristics in Dressage and Jumping Sport Warmblood Mares Based on Point Evaluation and Linear Scoring System.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of factors on the results of 100-point judging systems, linear scoring and basic measurements, as well as differences between systems for dressage and jumping warmblood mares. The research covered official data on 1547 warmblood mares. Analysis of variance and phenotypic correlations (Pearson and partial) were used. The analysis showed that sport type significantly influenced 1/3 of biometric measurements, 2/9 traits on the 100-point system and 7/37 of linear scored traits. The influence of horse type evaluation is more significant in linear scoring than in the 100-point evaluation, which provides an argument for using the first system in breeding. In the linear evaluation for warmblood mares grouped as jumping or dressage, the most significant differences ( < 0.001) were noted between the traits of shoulder position, line of the loins and shape of the croup. In the point-based evaluation, differences ( 0.8). The comparison of systems showed meaningful correlations only between general traits. The differences between sport types of warmblood mares were smaller than expected. More objective traits should be discovered to increase accuracy in discriminating between horse types.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-10-04 PubMed ID: 37835707PubMed Central: PMC10571798DOI: 10.3390/ani13193101Google 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 investigates how different evaluation systems, including a 100-point judging system and linear scoring, can influence the assessment of traits and measurements of warmblood mares used for dressage and jumping. The results suggest that the type of sport significantly influences a percentage of biometric measurements and traits, with linear scoring having a larger effect than the 100-point system. The study further recommends finding more objective traits for improved discrimination between horse types.

Research Methodology

  • The study used official data related to 1547 warmblood mares.
  • The researchers employed an analysis of variance and phenotypic correlations, including both Pearson and partial correlations.

Findings

  • According to the analysis, the type of sport influences a third of the biometric measurements, two out of nine traits on the 100-point system, and seven out of 37 traits in linear scoring.
  • The study found that the influence of horse type evaluation is more significant in linear scoring compared to the 100-point evaluation, suggesting that the linear scoring system might be more suited for breeding purposes.
  • Significant differences were noted in traits such as shoulder position, loin line, croup shape in linear evaluation and differences in forelimbs, walking style, and chest circumference in point-based evaluation when comparing jumping and dressage warmblood mares.
  • Interestingly, no traits in the two evaluation systems were found to be identical.
  • The study also found significant correlations between general traits when comparing both evaluation systems.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concluded that the differences between sport types of warmblood mares were lesser than expected.
  • It suggested that more research is needed to uncover objective traits that can help increase accuracy and discrimination between types of horses.
  • Findings from this research may be useful in improving horse breeding programs.

Cite This Article

APA
Borowska A, Lewczuk D. (2023). Comparison of Conformation and Movement Characteristics in Dressage and Jumping Sport Warmblood Mares Based on Point Evaluation and Linear Scoring System. Animals (Basel), 13(19), 3101. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193101

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 19
PII: 3101

Researcher Affiliations

Borowska, Alicja
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Poznan University of Life Sciences, ul. Wolynska 33, 60-637 Poznan, Poland.
Lewczuk, Dorota
  • Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology PAS, ul. Postepu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 52 references
  1. Duensing J, Stock KF, Krieter J. Implementation and Prospects of Linear Profiling in the Warmblood Horse. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2014;34:360–368.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2013.09.002google scholar: lookup
  2. Koenen EPC, Van Veldhuizen AE, Brascamp EW. 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
  3. Rustin M, Janssens S, Buys N, Gengler N. Multi-trait animal model estimation of genetic parameters for linear type and gait traits in the Belgian warmblood horse. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 2009;126:378–386.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2008.00798.xpubmed: 19765164google scholar: lookup
  4. Viklund A, Eriksson S. Genetic analyses of linear profiling data on 3-yearold Swedish Warmblood horses. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 2018;135:62–72.
    doi: 10.1111/jbg.12311pubmed: 29345075google scholar: lookup
  5. Vostrý L, Čapková Z, Pribyl J, Mach K. Original Analysis of Czech cold-blooded horses: Genetic parameters, breeding value and the influence of inbreeding depression on linear description of conformation and type characters. Czech J. Anim. Sci. 2011;56:217–230.
    doi: 10.17221/1430-CJASgoogle scholar: lookup
  6. Vostrý L, Čapková Z, Andrejsová L, Mach K, Majzlík I. Linear type trait analysis in the Coldblood breeds: Czech-Moravian Belgian horse and Silesian Noriker. Slovak J. Anim. Sci. 2009;42:99–106.
  7. Vostry L, Pribyl J, Simecek P. Reduction of traits for genetic evaluation of linear described traits in the old kladruber horse. Czech J. Anim. Sci. 2012;57:160–170.
    doi: 10.17221/5891-CJASgoogle scholar: lookup
  8. Thompson JR, Lee KL, Freeman AE, Johnson LP. Evaluation of a linearized type appraisal system for Holstein cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 1983;66:325–331.
    doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(83)81792-5google scholar: lookup
  9. Janssens S, Winandy D, Tylleman A, Delmotte C, van Moeseke W, Vandepitte W. The linear assessment scheme for sheep in Belgium: Breed averages and assessor quality. Small Rum. Res. 2004;2004:85–95.
    doi: 10.1016/S0921-4488(03)00189-5google scholar: lookup
  10. Serenius T, Sevon-Aimonen ML, Maantysaari EA. The genetics of leg weakness in finnish large white and landrace populations. Livest. Prod. Sci. 2001;69:101–111.
    doi: 10.1016/S0301-6226(00)00260-8google scholar: lookup
  11. KWPN. Selekcja Koni. [Horse Selection]. 1st ed. PZHK; Warszawa, Poland: 2016. pp. 1–98.
  12. Koenen EPC, Aldridge LI, Philipsson J. An overview of breeding objectives for warmblood sport horses. Livest. Prod. Sci. 2004;88:77–84.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livprodsci.2003.10.011google scholar: lookup
  13. Rovere G, Madsen P, Norberg E, van Arendonk JAM, Ducro BJ. Effect of specialization on genetic parameters of studbook–entry inspection in Dutch Warmblood horses. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 2015;132:441–448.
    doi: 10.1111/jbg.12166pubmed: 26012787google scholar: lookup
  14. Bonow S, Eriksson S, Thorén Hellsten E, Gelinder Viklund Å. Consequences of specialized breeding in the Swedish Warmblood horse population. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 2023;140:79–91.
    doi: 10.1111/jbg.12731pmc: PMC10084081pubmed: 35830346google scholar: lookup
  15. Clayton HM. Comparison of the stride kinematics of the collected, working, medium and extended trot in horses. Equ. Vet. J. 1994;26:230–234.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04375.xpubmed: 8542844google scholar: lookup
  16. Holmström M, Fredricson I, Drevemo S. Biokinematic analysis of the Swedish Warmblood riding horse at trot. Equ. Vet. J. 1994;26:235–240.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04376.xpubmed: 8542845google scholar: lookup
  17. Holmström M, Fredricson I, Drevemo S. Biokinematic differences between riding horses judged as good and poor at the trot. Equ. Vet. J. 1994;26:51–56.
    pubmed: 8542845
  18. Lewczuk D, Ducro B. Repeatability of free jumping parameters on tests of different duration. Livest. Sci. 2012;146:22–28.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2012.02.016google scholar: lookup
  19. Druml T, Dobretsberger M, Brem G. Ratings of equine conformation–new insights provided by shape analysis using the example of Lipizzan stallions. Archiv. Anim. Breed. 2016;59:309–317.
    doi: 10.5194/aab-59-309-2016google scholar: lookup
  20. Kristjansson T, Bjornsdottir S, Albertsdóttir E, Sigurdsson A, Pourcelot P, Crevier-Denoix N, Arnason T. Association of conformation and riding ability in Icelandic horses. Livest. Sci. 2016;189:91–101.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2016.05.010google scholar: lookup
  21. Ricard A, Pourcelot P, Saint Priest BD, Crevier-Denoix N, Danvy S. Genetic of the 3D morphology of jumping horses using geometric morphometrics; Proceedings of the 70. Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP); Ghent, Belgium. 26–30 August 2019; Wageningen, The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers; 2019. p. 717.
  22. Clayton HM, Buchholz R, Nauwelaerts S. Relationship between morphological and stabilographic variables in standing horses. Vet. J. 2013;198:e65–e69.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.035pubmed: 24144772google scholar: lookup
  23. Sánchez MJ, Gómez MD, Molina A, Valera M. Genetic analyses for linear conformation traits in pura raza español horses. Livest. Sci. 2013;157:57–64.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.07.010google scholar: lookup
  24. Kuhnke S, Bär K, Bosch P, Rensing M, Borstel UKV. 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. Equ. Vet. Sci. 2019;78:53–59.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.04.002pubmed: 31203984google scholar: lookup
  25. Lewczuk D. The effect of sire’s breed on three body measurements and body conformation score in Polish Halfbred Horse at the beginning and on the present-day of the breed. Anim. Sci. Pap. Rep. 2005;23:171–179.
  26. Zwoliński J. Hodowla Koni. [Horse Breeding]. 1st ed. PWRiL; Warszawa, Poland: 1980. pp. 1–463.
  27. Ducro BJ, Koenen EPC, Van Tartwijk JMFM, Bovenhuis H. Genetic relations of movement and free-jumping traits with dressage and show-jumping performance in competition of Dutch warmblood horses. Livest. Sci. 2007;107:227–234.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2006.09.018google scholar: lookup
  28. Ducro BJ, Koenen EPC, van Tartwijk JMFM, van Arendonk JAM. Genetic relations of First Stallion Inspection traits with dressage and show-jumping performance in competition of Dutch Warmblood Horses. Livest. Sci. 2007;107:81–85.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2006.09.019google scholar: lookup
  29. Pagan JD, Martin OA, Crowley NL. Relationship between body condition and metabolic parameters in sport horses, pony hunters and polo ponies. J. Equ. Vet. Sci. 2009;29:418–420.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.117google scholar: lookup
  30. Holmström M, Magnusson LE, Philipsson J. Variation in conformation of Swedish Warmblood horses and conformational characteristics of elite sport horses. Equ. Vet. J. 1990;22:186–193.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04245.xpubmed: 2361507google scholar: lookup
  31. Dyson S. Equine performance and equitation science: Clinical issues. Appl. Anim. Beh. Sci. 2017;190:5–17.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.03.001google scholar: lookup
  32. Clayton HM. The extended canter: A comparison of some kinematic variables in horses trained for dressage and for racing. Cells Tiss. Org. 1993;146:183–187.
    doi: 10.1159/000147443pubmed: 8470464google scholar: lookup
  33. Novotna A, Birovas A, Vostra-Vydrova H, Vesela Z, Vostry L. Genetic parameters of performance and conformation traits of 3-year-old warmblood sport horses in the Czech republic. Animals 2022;12:2957.
    doi: 10.3390/ani12212957pmc: PMC9654176pubmed: 36359080google scholar: lookup
  34. Schöpke K, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Swalve HH. Genetic evaluations of the German Sport Horse: Population structure and use of data from foal and mare inspections and performance tests of mares. Arch. Anim. Breed. 2013;56:658–674.
    doi: 10.7482/0003-9438-56-066google scholar: lookup
  35. Roth IT, Schielke B, Rensing M, Bernau M. Comparison of American quarter horses competing in western pleasure, hunter under saddle, and reining using linear traits. Animals 2021;11:2861.
    doi: 10.3390/ani11102861pmc: PMC8532615pubmed: 34679888google scholar: lookup
  36. Viklund Å, Thorén Hellsten E, Näsholm A, Strandberg E, Philipsson J. Genetic parameters for traits evaluated at field tests of 3- and 4-year-old Swedish warmblood horses. Animal 2008;2:1832–1841.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731108003030pubmed: 22444090google scholar: lookup
  37. Ducro BJ, Bovenhuis H, Back W. Heritability of foot conformation and its relationship to sports performance in a Dutch Warmblood Horse population. Equ. Vet. J. 2009;41:139–143.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X366130pubmed: 19418741google scholar: lookup
  38. Hildebrand M. Symmetrical gaits of horses. Science 1965;150:701–708.
    doi: 10.1126/science.150.3697.701pubmed: 5844074google scholar: lookup
  39. Viklund A, Furre S, Philipsson J, Vangen O. Nordic Interstallion–competition data; Proceedings of the Workshop on “Linear Scoring in Evaluation of Sport Horses–Experiences of Current Practices and Potential Developments; Stockholm, Sweden. 15–16 December 2011; pp. 15–16.
  40. Nazari-Ghadikolaei A, Fikse F, Gelinder Viklund Å, Eriksson S. Factor analysis of evaluated and linearly scored traits in Swedish Warmblood horses. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 2023;140:366–375.
    doi: 10.1111/jbg.12764pubmed: 36852464google scholar: lookup
  41. Cadier AC. Bachelor’s Thesis. Horses Scored with Two Judging Systems; a Comparison of Results. Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Science; Wageningen, The Netherlands: 2011.
  42. Sperrle F, Viklund A, Thoren-Hellsten E, Schulze-Schleppinghoff W, Stock KF. Implications of across-studbook genetic correlations between linear traits for sport horse breeding; Proceedings of the 67th Annual Meeting of the EAAP; Belfast, Ireland. 29 August–2 September 2016; p. 576.
  43. Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ. A review of biomechanical gait classification with reference to collected trot, passage and piaffe in dressage horses. Animals 2019;9:763.
    doi: 10.3390/ani9100763pmc: PMC6826507pubmed: 31623360google scholar: lookup
  44. Hobbs SJ, Serra Braganca FM, Rhodin M, Hernlund E, Peterson M, Clayton HM. Evaluating Overall Performance in High-Level Dressage Horse–Rider Combinations by Comparing Measurements from Inertial Sensors with General Impression Scores Awarded by Judges. Animals 2023;13:2496.
    doi: 10.3390/ani13152496pmc: PMC10417551pubmed: 37570304google scholar: lookup
  45. Hobbs SJ, St George L, Reed J, Stockley R, Thetford C, Sinclair J, Clayton HM. A scoping review of determinants of performance in dressage. PeerJ 2020;8:e9022.
    doi: 10.7717/peerj.9022pmc: PMC7185025pubmed: 32355578google scholar: lookup
  46. Lewczuk D. Effect of the judge and definition of the trait for horse free jumping evaluation. Archiv. Anim. Breed. 2013;56:638–649.
    doi: 10.7482/0003-9438-56-064google scholar: lookup
  47. de Godoi FN, de Almeida FQ, Toral FLB, de Miranda ALS, Kaipper RR, Bergmann JAG. Repeatability of kinematics traits of free jumping in Brazilian sport horses. Livest. Sci. 2014;168:1–8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.07.014google scholar: lookup
  48. 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
  49. Sánchez-Guerrero MJ, Cervantes I, Molina A, Gutiérrez JP, Valera M. Designing an early selection morphological linear traits index for dressage in the Pura Raza Español horse. Animal 2017;11:948–957.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731116002214pubmed: 27839527google scholar: lookup
  50. Druml T, Dobretsberger M, Brem G. The use of novel phenotyping methods for validation of equine conformation scoring results. Animal 2015;9:928–937.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731114003309pubmed: 25582051google scholar: lookup
  51. Pallottino F, Steri R, Menesatti P, Antonucci F, Costa C, Figorilli S, Catillo G. Comparison between manual and stereovision body traits measurements of Lipizzan horses. Comp. Electr. Agric. 2015;118:408–413.
    doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2015.09.019google scholar: lookup
  52. Pérez-Ruiz M, Tarrat-Martín D, Sánchez-Guerrero MJ, Valera M. Advances in horse morphometric measurements using LiDAR. Comp. Electr. Agric. 2020;174:105510.
    doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2020.105510google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.