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Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie2019; 137(2); 200-210; doi: 10.1111/jbg.12425

Genetic parameters estimation in an Italian horse native breed to support the conversion from agricultural uses to riding purposes.

Abstract: Horses are nowadays mainly used for sport and leisure purposes, and several local breeds, traditionally used in agriculture, are exposed to the risk of extinction. The long-term survival of local horse breeds depends on strategies to both monitor their genetic diversity and to find their sustainable role in the equine market. Thus, several local horse breeds need to adapt their breeding objective to allow a modernization process. The Bardigiano is an example of such horse breeds; we, therefore, studied the existing evaluation protocol from a genetic standpoint to assess the protocol's suitability to convert the Bardigiano from an agricultural to a riding horse. To this end, we estimated genetic parameters for four conformation measurements, ten grading traits and 23 linear traits. For conformation measurements, the heritabilities ranged from 0.31 for cannon bone circumference to 0.63 for height at withers. For conformation and attitude grading traits, the highest heritability (0.34) was estimated for development and the lowest (0.09) for gaits. The heritabilities for linear traits ranged from 0.05 for the leg straightness to 0.32 for the coat colour. Genetic correlations between linear traits and corresponding grading traits varied considerably, ranging from -0.42 to 0.98. This study showed that the current evaluation protocol in the Bardigiano horse is appropriate for genetic evaluation. Genetic parameters estimation can, in turn, be used to develop novel breeding values to help this conversion. Our study paves the way to optimize the Bardigiano horse breeding programme, and it may help several other local horse breeds experiencing similar issues.
© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-16 PubMed ID: 31310049DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12425Google 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.

This research sets out to assist in the transition of the Bardigiano horse breed from being used in agriculture to a more sport and leisure orientated breed. Through evaluating the breed’s current grading system and estimating genetic parameters related to desirable traits, the study illustrates the potential for this breed’s successful transition and may serve as a strategy for other at-risk horse breeds.

Assessing the Bardigiano Horse Breed’s Role Transition

  • The study holds its roots in the shift of horse breed usage globally from agricultural to sport and leisure purposes.
  • Due to this shift, many local horse breeds that were traditionally used in agriculture are now at risk of extinction.
  • The survival of such breeds depends on the development and implementation of strategies aimed at preserving their genetic diversity and formulating their sustainable role in the equine market.
  • Bardigiano horses, a breed native to Italy and traditionally used in agricultural work, serve as an example of these local breeds.

Evaluating the Bardigiano Breed and Estimating Genetic Parameters

  • The researchers’ main objective was to assess if the current evaluation protocol of the Bardigiano horse is suitable for transforming the breed from an agricultural to a riding horse.
  • This process involved estimating genetic parameters (heritabilities and genetic correlations) for various traits, including four conformation measurements, ten grading traits, and 23 linear traits.
  • These traits ranged from physical features such as cannon bone circumference and height at withers, to attitudes like development and gaits, and inherent properties like coat colour.

Results and Implications

  • The study found that heritabilities for the evaluated traits varied, with the highest and lowest values being 0.63 (height at withers) and 0.05 (leg straightness) respectively.
  • Plus, the genetic correlations between linear traits and corresponding grading traits showed significant variation, with values ranging from -0.42 to 0.98.
  • Thus, the present study demonstrated that the existing evaluation protocol of the Bardigiano breed is suitable and provides adequate genetic evaluation for the breed.
  • Furthermore, the estimates of genetic parameters can be used to develop new breeding values to aid in the breed’s transition to sport and leisure usage.
  • This research offers valuable insights not only for Bardigiano horse breed but also for other local horse breeds experiencing similar challenges.

Cite This Article

APA
Ablondi M, Summer A, Vasini M, Simoni M, Sabbioni A. (2019). Genetic parameters estimation in an Italian horse native breed to support the conversion from agricultural uses to riding purposes. J Anim Breed Genet, 137(2), 200-210. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12425

Publication

Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie
ISSN: 1439-0388
NlmUniqueID: 100955807
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 137
Issue: 2
Pages: 200-210

Researcher Affiliations

Ablondi, Michela
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Summer, Andrea
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Vasini, Matteo
  • Libro Genealogico Cavallo Bardigiano, Associazione Regionale Allevatori dell'Emilia-Romagna, Parma, Italy.
Simoni, Marica
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Sabbioni, Alberto
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Agriculture
  • Animals
  • Breeding / methods
  • Breeding / standards
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Genetic Variation
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / physiology
  • Leisure Activities
  • Phenotype
  • Quantitative Trait, Heritable
  • Sports

Grant Funding

  • PSNR 2016-2019 / Biodiversità-Sottomisura 10.2-Progetto Equinbio-Innovazione e Biodiversità per gli equidi

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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