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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Effects of Selection on Breed Contribution in the Caballo de...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(13); doi: 10.3390/ani12131635

Effects of Selection on Breed Contribution in the Caballo de Deporte Español.

Abstract: The equine breeding industry for sport's performance has evolved into a fairly profitable economic activity. In particular, the Caballo de Deporte Español (CDE) is bred for different disciplines with a special focus on Show Jumping. The main aim of this study was to determine the effects of 15 years of selection and to find out whether it has been effective and adequate regarding the CDE main breeding objectives. The whole pedigree of 19,045 horses registered as CDE was used, comprising 47,884 animals (18,799 males and 29,085 females). An analysis performed to check for the pedigree completeness level yielded a number of equivalent complete generations (t) equal to 1.95, an average generation interval (GI) of 10.87 years, mean inbreeding coefficient (F) of 0.32%, an average relatedness coefficient (AR) of 0.09% and an effective population size (Ne) of 204. For the analyses, animals were divided into fourteen breed groups. Additionally, in order to study the evolution of these breeds over time and their influence on CDE pedigree, five different periods were considered according to the year of birth of the animals. Performance data used in the analyses were the estimated breeding values (EBV) of the Show Jumping sport discipline of 12,197 horses in the CDE pedigree, available from the 2020 routine genetic evaluations of the CDE breeding program (starting in 2004). Dressage and Eventing EBV values were also assessed. Results showed values of F higher than expected under random mating; this pointed to some degree of inbred matings. With regard to the evolution of breeding values, we found that, in general, EBVs of offspring were higher than the EBVs of parents. Notwithstanding, there is still a need for improvement in population management and the coordination of the breeders to get higher responses but controlling the loss of genetic diversity in the CDE breed.
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Publication Date: 2022-06-25 PubMed ID: 35804534PubMed Central: PMC9264983DOI: 10.3390/ani12131635Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research assesses the effects of selective breeding on the performance of the Spanish Sports Horse (Caballo de Deporte Español, CDE) in equestrian sports over the past 15 years utilizing pedigree and performance data.

Introduction

  • The research focuses on the Caballo de Deporte Español (CDE), a horse breed selectively bred for varied equestrian disciplines, with a key emphasis on Show Jumping.
  • The goal of the study is to determine the effects of 15 years of selective breeding and its effectiveness as it pertains to the breed’s key objectives.

Methodology

  • The complete pedigree of 19,045 horses registered as CDE was used for the study. The sample encompassed a total of 47,884 horses inclusive of 18,799 males and 29,085 females.
  • Pedigree completeness was assessed yielding 1.95 equivalent complete generations, a 10.87 year average generation interval and a mean inbreeding coefficient of 0.32%.
  • The average relatedness coefficient was 0.09% and the effective population size is 204.
  • The sample was divided into fourteen breed groups for analysis, and five periods were considered in accordance with the birth year of the animals to study the evolution of breeds over time and their influence on the CDE pedigree.
  • The estimated breeding values (EBV) in the Show Jumping discipline of 12,197 horses were used as performance data. This was derived from the 2020 routine genetic evaluations of the CDE breeding program which initiated in 2004.
  • In addition, Dressage and Eventing EBV values were also evaluated.

Findings and Implications

  • The inbreeding coefficient was found to be higher than what could be expected under random mating, indicating some level of inbred breeding.
  • When observing the evolution of breeding values, it was generally found that the offspring’s EBVs were higher than the parents’, suggesting improvements over generations.
  • Despite the progress, there is a need still for improved population management and better coordination among breeders.
  • While breeders seek to attain higher responses, there is a need to control the loss of genetic diversity within the CDE breed.

Cite This Article

APA
Bartolomé E, Valera M, Fernández J, Rodríguez-Ramilo ST. (2022). Effects of Selection on Breed Contribution in the Caballo de Deporte Español. Animals (Basel), 12(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131635

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 13

Researcher Affiliations

Bartolomé, Ester
  • Departamento de Agronomía, ETSIA, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
Valera, Mercedes
  • Departamento de Agronomía, ETSIA, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
Fernández, Jesús
  • Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Rodríguez-Ramilo, Silvia Teresa
  • GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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