Genetic analyses of linear profiling data on 3-year-old Swedish Warmblood horses.
Abstract: A linear profiling protocol was introduced in 2013 at tests for 3-year-old Swedish Warmblood horses. In this protocol, traits are subjectively described on a nine-point linear scale from one biological extreme to the other. This complements the traditional scoring where horses are evaluated in relation to the breeding objective. This study aimed to investigate the suitability of the linear information for genetic evaluation. Data on 22 conformation traits, 17 movement traits, 14 jumping traits and one temperament trait from 3,410 horses tested between 2013 and 2016 were analysed using an animal model. For conformation traits, the heritabilities ranged from 0.10 for description of hock joint from behind to 0.52 for shape of the neck. For movement traits, the highest heritability (0.54) was estimated for elasticity in trot and the lowest (0.08) for energy in walk. The heritabilities for jumping traits ranged from 0.05 for the ability to focus on the assignment to 0.57 for scope. Genetic correlations between linear traits and corresponding traditionally scored traits were strong (-0.37 to in many cases <-0.9). The results show that the linear information is suitable for genetic evaluation and can be a useful tool for breeders.
© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2018-01-19 PubMed ID: 29345075DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12311Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research evaluates the utility of a linear profiling protocol for 3-year-old Swedish Warmblood horses. The protocol rates certain traits on a nine-point scale and the study analyzed this information for genetic evaluation purposes. The study derived heritability estimates for various traits and demonstrated that this linear profiling protocol could be a useful tool in genetic evaluation.
Research Methodology
- The research was carried out on 3-year-old Swedish Warmblood horses who were tested between 2013 and 2016 using a linear profiling protocol.
- The protocol involves describing traits on a nine-point scale from one biological extreme to the other. This method complements traditional scoring where horses are evaluated based on their alignment with the breeding objective.
- The researchers evaluated data on 22 conformation traits, 17 movement traits, 14 jumping traits, and 1 temperament trait.
- An animal model was used to analyze these traits.
Key Findings
- Heritability estimates for conformation traits ranged between 0.10 and 0.52. The shape of the neck was the trait with the highest heritability, while the description of the hock joint from behind showed the lowest.
- Movement traits displayed heritability estimates ranging from 0.08 to 0.54. Energy in walk was the least heritable trait and elasticity in trot was the most heritable.
- For jumping traits, the heritability ranged from 0.05 to 0.57. The ability to focus on the assignment was found to be least heritable while scope was the most heritable.
- There was a strong genetic correlation between the linear traits and their corresponding traditionally scored traits, with correlations often exceeding -0.9.
Implications
- These results suggest that linear information derived from the profiling protocol is suitable for genetic evaluation.
- This type of information could prove to be a useful tool for breeders, providing an additional means of evaluation alongside traditional scoring methods.
Cite This Article
APA
Viklund Å, Eriksson S.
(2018).
Genetic analyses of linear profiling data on 3-year-old Swedish Warmblood horses.
J Anim Breed Genet, 135(1), 62-72.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12311 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / genetics
- Linear Models
- Male
- Quantitative Trait, Heritable
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Corbally AF, Mulligan FJ, Sweeney T, Fahey AG. Phenotypic Associations Between Linearly Scored Traits and Sport Horse Auction Sales Price in Ireland. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 29;15(15).
- Nazari-Ghadikolaei A, Fikse WF, Viklund ÅG, Mikko S, Eriksson S. Single-Step Genome-Wide Association Study of Factors for Evaluated and Linearly Scored Traits in Swedish Warmblood Horses. J Anim Breed Genet 2025 Sep;142(5):499-512.
- Giontella A, Silvestrelli M, Cocciolone A, Pieramati C, Sarti FM. Breeding Value Estimation Based on Morphological Evaluation of the Maremmano Horse Population through Factor Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 31;14(15).
- Borowska A, Lewczuk D. Comparison of Conformation and Movement Characteristics in Dressage and Jumping Sport Warmblood Mares Based on Point Evaluation and Linear Scoring System. Animals (Basel) 2023 Oct 4;13(19).
- Ricard A, Crevier-Denoix N, Pourcelot P, Crichan H, Sabbagh M, Dumont-Saint-Priest B, Danvy S. Genetic analysis of geometric morphometric 3D visuals of French jumping horses. Genet Sel Evol 2023 Sep 18;55(1):63.
- Gmel AI, Burren A, Neuditschko M. Estimates of Genetic Parameters for Shape Space Data in Franches-Montagnes Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 25;12(17).
- 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 Jan;140(1):79-91.
- Ablondi M, Johnsson M, Eriksson S, Sabbioni A, Viklund ÅG, Mikko S. Performance of Swedish Warmblood fragile foal syndrome carriers and breeding prospects. Genet Sel Evol 2022 Jan 21;54(1):4.
- Próchniak T, Kasperek K, Knaga S, Rozempolska-Rucińska I, Batkowska J, Drabik K, Ziȩba G. Pedigree Analysis of Warmblood Horses Participating in Competitions for Young Horses. Front Genet 2021;12:658403.
- Ricard A, Dumont Saint Priest B, Chassier M, Sabbagh M, Danvy S. Genetic consistency between gait analysis by accelerometry and evaluation scores at breeding shows for the selection of jumping competition horses. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0244064.
- Gmel AI, Druml T, von Niederhäusern R, Leeb T, Neuditschko M. Genome-Wide Association Studies Based on Equine Joint Angle Measurements Reveal New QTL Affecting the Conformation of Horses. Genes (Basel) 2019 May 14;10(5).
- 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(8):e0202931.
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