Genetic correlations for foal and studbook traits with racing traits and implications for selection strategies in the Finnhorse and Standardbred trotter.
Abstract: Genetic correlations for body measurements and conformation and functional traits in foals and studbook horses with racing traits were estimated in the Finnhorse and Standardbred. Genetic response and accuracy were estimated using records of animal, half-sibs and parents in selection scenarios for racing traits, for foal and racing traits, for studbook and racing traits, and using records of animal, half-sibs and parents for foal traits and racing traits of parents. Racing time and earnings were the breeding objective. Low-to-moderate genetic correlations for body measurements and racing traits indicated that selection favours bigger horses at all ages. Being mainly favourable for the breeding objective, genetic correlations for conformation and functional traits with racing traits were highest for the foal traits of type, trot and overall grade and for the studbook traits of character and movements. Genetic correlations for foal and studbook conformation with racing traits were low in the Finnhorse and moderate to high in the Standardbred. In foals, the highest genetic correlations were for trot with racing time (-0.54) and with earnings (0.52) in the Finnhorse, and for overall grade with racing time (-0.54) and with earnings (0.54) in the Standardbred. In studbook horses, genetic correlations were high for character with racing time and earnings in the Finnhorse (-0.68, 0.61) and in the Standardbred (-0.63, 0.70), and for movements with racing time and earnings in the Finnhorse (-0.70, 0.69) and in the Standardbred (-0.90, 0.88). To increase accuracy of conformation and functional traits, foal traits would be more useful in the index with racing traits, as being less preselected than studbook traits. The foal traits (type, trot, overall grade) having moderate heritability and genetic correlations with racing traits would be useful in multi-trait index before a racing career, where the greatest gain is because of a shorter generation interval. It would be feasible to implement for AI stallions.
© 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2012-07-04 PubMed ID: 23679943DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2012.01011.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study investigates the genetic correlations between physical and conformation traits of foals and adult horses with their racing performance, particularly focusing on the breeds Finnhorse and Standardbred. The research suggests that certain traits observed in foals may be indicative of future racing success and could be useful for breeding and selection strategies.
Exploring the relation between physical traits and racing performance
- The researchers aimed to examine the correlation between physical measurements, like body size, and racing traits such as time and earnings in the Finnhorse and Standardbred breeds.
- They found that selection seemingly favours bigger horses across all ages, suggesting a correlation between greater body size and enhanced racing performance.
Genetic correlations for foal and studbook traits
- The study examined the correlation of traits in foals and studbook (adult) horses with racing results. The traits observed included type, trot, overall grade for foal traits, and character and movements for studbook traits.
- Results indicated favourable correlations for these traits with racing performance. For instance, the traits ‘trot’ and ‘overall grade’ in Finnhorse foals, and ‘character’ and ‘movements’ in adult horses from both breeds showed significant correlations with racing time and earnings.
Implications for horse breeding and selection
- The research implies that selection and breeding strategies could be improved by considering the conformation and functional traits observed in foals. This is because these traits, which are less preselected than studbook traits, have shown a significant correlation with racing outcomes.
- Demonstrating moderate heritability and genetic correlation with racing traits, the foal traits such as type, trot, and overall grade, could be beneficial when included in the multi-trait index for selection before a racing career.
- The study suggests that using indicators observed in foals might lead to greater gains due to shorter generation intervals. This could be a feasible approach particularly for artificial insemination (AI) stallions.
Cite This Article
APA
Suontama M, van der Werf JH, Juga J, Ojala M.
(2012).
Genetic correlations for foal and studbook traits with racing traits and implications for selection strategies in the Finnhorse and Standardbred trotter.
J Anim Breed Genet, 130(3), 178-189.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.2012.01011.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. mari.suontama@helsinki.fi
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding / methods
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Berglund P, Andonov S, Jansson A, Olsson C, Lundqvist T, Strandberg E, Eriksson S. The ability to race barefoot is a heritable trait in Standardbred and Coldblooded trotters. Genet Sel Evol 2025 Feb 25;57(1):8.
- Kvist L, Honka J, Niskanen M, Liedes O, Aspi J. Selection in the Finnhorse, a native all-around horse breed. J Anim Breed Genet 2021 Mar;138(2):188-203.
- Cervantes I, Gutiérrez JP, García-Ballesteros S, Varona L. Combining Threshold, Thurstonian and Classical Linear Models in Horse Genetic Evaluations for Endurance Competitions. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 22;10(6).
- Navas González FJ, Jordana Vidal J, León Jurado JM, McLean AK, Pizarro Inostroza G, Delgado Bermejo JV. Genetic parameter estimation and implementation of the genetic evaluation for gaits in a breeding program for assisted-therapy in donkeys. Vet Res Commun 2018 Jun;42(2):101-110.
- Gim JA, Hong CP, Kim DS, Moon JW, Choi Y, Eo J, Kwon YJ, Lee JR, Jung YD, Bae JH, Choi BH, Ko J, Song S, Ahn K, Ha HS, Yang YM, Lee HK, Park KD, Do KT, Han K, Yi JM, Cha HJ, Ayarpadikannan S, Cho BW, Bhak J, Kim HS. Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation before-and after exercise in the thoroughbred horse with MeDIP-Seq. Mol Cells 2015 Mar;38(3):210-20.
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