Influence of foot conformation on duration of competitive life in a Dutch Warmblood horse population.
Abstract: Warmblood horse studbooks aim to breed horses with a conformation that will enable elite future sports performance, but reduce the risk of early retirement due to lameness. Negative conformational traits, such as asymmetrical or 'uneven' forefeet may possibly shorten the career of sporthorses. Objective: To investigate the significance of foot conformation at young age to duration of the career of sporthorses. Methods: Databases of the Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook (KWPN) and of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation (KNHS) were matched and resulted in a dataset comprising 23,116 records of horses for which their conformation scores and duration of their sports career were available. Survival analysis was used to determine which of the conformation traits had a significant effect on duration of sports career in dressage and jumping at basic and elite level. Results: Duration of competitive life was shorter for jumping than for dressage. A different set of risk factors was found for each level and discipline. The trait 'uneven feet' tended to shorten the competitive life in dressage, but was a significant risk factor at the elite level of jumping. Conclusions: Limb conformation and, in particular, the conformation of the distal limb, are important for duration of competitive life. From the prevalence of uneven feet in sports disciplines, it may be concluded that this is an undesirable trait, particularly at the elite level of jumping, since uneven feet have a detrimental effect on the duration of competitive life in a sporthorse population. Conclusions: This study provided evidence that the conformation trait uneven feet has a negative effect on Warmblood jumping performance and, therefore, breeders should be encouraged to avoid this phenomenon at foal age.
Publication Date: 2009-05-08 PubMed ID: 19418742DOI: 10.2746/042516408x363800Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses the importance of limb and foot conformation in Warmblood horses and its impact on their competitive lifespan. The study found that traits such as uneven feet can shorten a horse’s competitive life, particularly in jumping events.
Overview of the Study
- The study aimed to investigate the significance of foot conformation in Dutch Warmblood horses and how it influences the competitive lifespan of these horses. Both databases of the Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook (KWPN) and the Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation (KNHS) were used, resulting in analysis of 23,116 horse records.
- The researchers used survival analysis, a statistical method commonly used in medical research, to determine which of the conformation traits significantly affected the duration of a horse’s sports career in both dressage and jumping, at different levels of competition.
Findings of the Study
- The research found that horses bred for jumping competitions have a shorter competitive lifespan compared to those bred for dressage. A different set of risk factors was found for each level and discipline.
- It was found that the trait of ‘uneven feet’ can potentially shorten the competitive life of a dressage horse, but this trait is a significant risk factor for jumping horses competing at the elite level.
- The study concluded that limb conformation, and especially the conformation of the distal limb or ‘lower’ part of the limb, plays a crucial role in the competitive lifespan of a horse. The prevalence of uneven feet in competitive sports disciplines is, therefore, undesirable, particularly at the elite jumping level, as it negatively impacts the horse’s career duration.
Conclusions and Implications
- The study provided evidence that the conformation trait of uneven feet negatively affects a Warmblood horse’s jumping performance. Therefore, horse breeders should be encouraged to avoid this trait when breeding foals.
- These findings are important for Warmblood horse breeders as they provide valuable information to inform breeding strategies, help improve the conformation of future generations, and may ultimately improve the competitive lifespan and success of Warmblood horses in jumping competitions.
Cite This Article
APA
Ducro BJ, Gorissen B, van Eldik P, Back W.
(2009).
Influence of foot conformation on duration of competitive life in a Dutch Warmblood horse population.
Equine Vet J, 41(2), 144-148.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408x363800 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology
- Bone and Bones / physiology
- Female
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Forelimb / physiology
- Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Netherlands
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Proportional Hazards Models
- Risk Factors
- Sports
Citations
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