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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Breed Genet / Early life jumping traits: Are they good proxies for success...
Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie2023; 141(2); 138-152; doi: 10.1111/jbg.12834

Early life jumping traits: Are they good proxies for success in show jumping competitions in Belgian warmblood horses?

Abstract: The main goal of the Belgian Warmblood horse studbook (BWP) is to breed successful competition horses, with emphasis on show jumping. However, competition results are only available later in life and competition traits are lowly heritable. Hence, the use of phenotypes that record performance-related traits at an early life stage could help increase genetic progress. In this study, we evaluated the potential of eleven linear scored early life jumping traits assessed during jumping in freedom (2-5 years old) or under the saddle (4-6 years old) as proxies for later success in show jumping competitions. To this end, we estimated their heritabilities and genetic correlations with the competition trait, adjusted fence height, by using 2170 free jumping records, 1588 jumping under saddle records, 674,527 show jumping competition records and almost 81,000 informative horses in the pedigree. As participation of young horses in these contests is on a voluntary basis, a pre-selection most probably exists. To verify this hypothesis, we investigated the association between participation to young horse contests and participation to show jumping competitions later on (called here start status phenotype). We also estimated heritabilities for "start status in free jumping contest", "start status in jumping under saddle contest" and "start status in free jumping or jumping under saddle contest" by fitting threshold models. Furthermore, we calculated genetic correlations between these traits and adjusted fence height and calculated the correlations between EBVs for start status in young horse contests and EBVs for success in competitions. Estimated heritabilities of early life jumping traits ranged between 0.05 and 0.30. Their genetic correlations with adjusted fence height were moderate to high (rg  = 0.37-0.63). Relatively more horses that participated in young horse contests competed later on compared to horses that did not participate in young horse contests (p-value < 0.001). They were also significantly more successful in show jumping competitions. Furthermore, start status in young horse contests was moderately heritable in BWP horses (h2  = 0.56-0.65) and moderately to highly correlated with later success in competitions (rg  = 0.30-0.77). Hence, we showed that ELJ traits are good proxies for later success in competitions and that a pre-selection of horses occurs in young horse contests. It is suggested to stimulate participation to young horse contests to achieve a more representative sample of the population. Early life jumping traits can therefore optimize the genetic progress for show jumping performance.
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-10-26 PubMed ID: 37882486DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12834Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research investigates the correlation between the performance traits of Belgian Warmblood horses at an early age and their success in show jumping competitions later in life. It suggests that early life jumping traits are good indicators of future performance success.

Research Objectives and Methods

  • The study was conducted within the context of a breeding program for Belgian Warmblood horses focused on producing successful competition horses, particularly in the area of show jumping.
  • The research sought to confirm if performance-related traits recorded in early life (2 to 6 years old), both while jumping freely and under saddle, could predict success in show jumping competitions later in life.
  • Data for the study included records for free jumping, jumping under saddle, show jumping competition, and information on horses from a breeding program. Furthermore, the study considered the voluntary nature of young horses’ participation in these contests, suggesting a potential ‘pre-selection’ which could affect the results.
  • The research utilized threshold models to estimate heritabilities for traits such as ‘start status in free jumping contest’, ‘start status in jumping under saddle contest’ etc. and calculated genetic correlations between these traits and adjusted fence height.
  • It also evaluated the correlation between breeding values (EBVs) for ‘start status in young horse contests’ and EBVs for success in competitions.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The study found expected heritabilities for early life jumping traits fell within a range of 0.05 and 0.30, while their genetic correlations to adjusted fence height were moderate to high, falling between 0.37 and 0.63.
  • Statistically, more young horses that took part in contests subsequently participated in and were successful in later show jumping competitions.
  • ‘Start status’ in young horse contests was found to be moderately heritable amongst Belgian Warmblood horses. It also showed moderate to high genetic correlation with future success in competitions, with correlation values ranging between 0.30 and 0.77.
  • The research thus suggests proof of early life jumping traits being useful predictors of later success in show jumping competitions, and of potential pre-selection of horses in young horse contests.
  • The conclusion of the study encourages promoting participation in young horse contests to gain a more representative sample of the horse population for breeding purposes.This strategy can contribute towards achieving genetic progress for show jumping performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Chapard L, Meyermans R, Gorssen W, Hooyberghs K, Meurrens I, De Smet S, Buys N, Janssens S. (2023). Early life jumping traits: Are they good proxies for success in show jumping competitions in Belgian warmblood horses? J Anim Breed Genet, 141(2), 138-152. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12834

Publication

Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie
ISSN: 1439-0388
NlmUniqueID: 100955807
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 141
Issue: 2
Pages: 138-152

Researcher Affiliations

Chapard, Léa
  • Department of Biosystems, Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Meyermans, Roel
  • Department of Biosystems, Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Gorssen, Wim
  • Department of Biosystems, Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Hooyberghs, Katrijn
  • Department of Biosystems, Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Meurrens, Inge
  • Belgian Warmblood Horses, Heverlee, Belgium.
De Smet, Stefaan
  • Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Buys, Nadine
  • Department of Biosystems, Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Janssens, Steven
  • Department of Biosystems, Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses / genetics
  • Animals
  • Belgium
  • Phenotype

Grant Funding

  • The Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Government
  • Paardenpunt Vlaanderen, by means of a subsidy from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Flemish Government

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