Correlations of unfavorable movement characteristics in warmblood foals and mares with routinely assessed conformation and performance traits.

The study investigates the relationship between adverse movement traits and characteristics assessed normatively in warmblood foals and mares. Detailed movement evaluations were conducted on 3374 foals and 2844 mares, and these were correlated with conformation information and performance data. The findings suggest that reproductive success of dressage horses could be improved through revising current movement evaluation techniques and giving particular attention to specific movement traits.

Research Methodology

• Researchers identified new movement traits indicating adverse movement characteristics in Oldenburg warmblood foals and mares.
• Detailed movement evaluations (DMEs) were conducted during 2009 and 2010 breeding events.
• Data from 3374 foals and 2844 mares was collected and used for in-depth correlation analyses.
• Additional information was obtained from the studbook inspections (SBI) of 1987 mares in 2009 and the performance data of 2758 mares from mare performance tests (MPTs) conducted from 2000 to 2008.

Results and Insights

• Analyses of variance revealed few significant differences between SBI and MPT trait scores in mares that exhibited general indications of imbalance (IMB) or particular features, such as irregular tail-tone or posture (TTP).
• Mares with imbalance-positive had significantly lower SBI scores for general impression and development, and MPT scores for trotting under a rider were usually higher.
• Adverse correlations were discovered between the univariately predicted breeding values of IMB and TTP and dressage-related conformation and performance traits through the estimation of genetic parameters in linear animal models with residual maximum likelihood as well as through the calculation of additive genetic correlations and Pearson correlation coefficients.
• The researchers found similarities between correlation patterns for DME traits in both foals and mares concerning SBI and MPT traits.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that the breeding practices for dressage horses could benefit from a revision of the current movement evaluation methodology.
• The consideration of specific movement traits in breeding practices may boost the breeding success in these horses.