FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie2025; doi: 10.1111/jbg.70038

Is There a Genetic Link Between Resting Infrared Thermography in Young Horses and Longevity in Jumping Competition?

Abstract: The objective was to evaluate the genetic relationship between the surface temperature of regions of interest, measured using infrared images of young horses and functional longevity in jumping. This relationship was assessed by comparing the temperatures measured in the offspring of two groups of sires, one favourable and one unfavourable, to longevity. The study used a specific data collection protocol on a sample of 921 young progeny, before they began competing, of 141 extreme stallions, comprising 61 favourable and 80 unfavourable sires. These stallions had been selected based on estimated breeding values for functional longevity derived from official competition data of 202,320 horses. Infrared imaging provided 49 temperature variables, including average and maximum values for regions of interest such as temperature differences from the body for eyes, hocks, fetlocks, feet, carpi and back. It also included differentials between these regions, asymmetry between right and left sides and variability within each area. Heritability was estimated using a mixed model with fixed effects, of age, sex, coat colour, weight and visit, along with random genetic effects (considering a pedigree of 8002 horses). The effect of temperature on the group of sires was assessed using multivariate partial least squares logistic regression, adjusting temperature for fixed effects. Results indicated high heritability for the temperature of regions of interest: body (0.53 ± 0.14), carpi (0.55 ± 0.19), fetlocks (0.47 ± 0.12), feet (0.46 ± 0.12 and 0.38 ± 0.12). Lower heritability was observed for differences between regions (around 0.20) and even lower for asymmetry and variability. Lower average and maximum eye temperatures, lateral asymmetry in hind feet temperature and temperature variability in the back were associated with a higher probability of belonging to the favourable group of sires for functional longevity. Infrared imaging may be a tool for identifying easily measurable selection criteria associated with longevity. Given the limited number of horses, the limited number of significant variables associated with the group of sires and the specificity of the protocol, verification and validation studies are necessary before its use.
© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-12-09 PubMed ID: 41363171DOI: 10.1111/jbg.70038Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

Overview

  • This study investigates the genetic link between resting surface temperature patterns, measured via infrared thermography in young horses, and their potential for long-term success in jumping competitions.
  • The research compares temperature measurements in offspring from sires known to have either favorable or unfavorable genetic traits for functional longevity in jumping.

Research Objectives

  • Evaluate whether the surface temperature of specific body regions in young horses correlates genetically with their functional longevity in jumping sport.
  • Compare temperature traits between offspring of sires with high versus low estimated breeding values for longevity.
  • Determine if infrared thermography can serve as a tool for early selection of horses with better longevity potential.

Study Design and Methods

  • Subjects:
    • 921 young horses, offspring of 141 stallions.
    • Stallions categorized into two groups based on functional longevity estimated breeding values (EBVs): 61 favorable sires and 80 unfavorable sires.
    • EBVs were derived from competition data on 202,320 horses, ensuring robust genetic background information.
  • Data Collection:
    • Infrared images were taken from the horses before they began competing.
    • Regions of interest (ROIs) included eyes, hocks, fetlocks, feet, carpi, and back.
    • 49 temperature variables recorded, including:
      • Average and maximum temperatures per ROI.
      • Temperature differences from the body baseline.
      • Temperature differentials between paired regions (right vs. left asymmetry).
      • Temperature variability within regions.
  • Statistical Analysis:
    • Heritability estimates calculated using a mixed-effects model that included:
      • Fixed effects: age, sex, coat color, weight, and visit.
      • Random genetic effects based on pedigree data of 8002 horses.
    • Differences in temperature variables between offspring of favorable and unfavorable sires were assessed using multivariate partial least squares logistic regression.
    • Temperature data adjusted for fixed effects before modeling.

Key Findings

  • Heritability estimates were relatively high for temperature measures in specific regions:
    • Body: 0.53 ± 0.14
    • Carpi: 0.55 ± 0.19
    • Fetlocks: 0.47 ± 0.12
    • Feet: 0.46 ± 0.12 and 0.38 ± 0.12 for different measurements
  • Heritability was lower for temperature differences between regions (~0.20) and even lower for asymmetry and variability within regions.
  • Horses with certain thermal traits were more likely to descend from sires with favorable functional longevity:
    • Lower average and maximum eye temperatures.
    • Lateral asymmetry in hind feet temperature.
    • Temperature variability in the back region.
  • These traits may serve as easily measurable markers for longevity potential in jumpers.

Implications and Recommendations

  • Infrared thermography shows promise as a non-invasive, early indicator of genetic longevity potential in jumping horses.
  • The high heritability of temperature measures in certain regions suggests a meaningful genetic component amenable to selection.
  • However, the relatively small number of significant temperature variables related to longevity and the specificity of the protocol warrant caution.
  • Further verification and validation studies are necessary before thermography measures can be widely applied in breeding and selection programs.
  • Future research should include:
    • Larger sample sizes to confirm findings.
    • Standardization of infrared imaging protocols.
    • Exploration of the biological mechanisms linking surface temperature to functional longevity.

Cite This Article

APA
Ricard A, Deretz S, Menard C, Priest BDS. (2025). Is There a Genetic Link Between Resting Infrared Thermography in Young Horses and Longevity in Jumping Competition? J Anim Breed Genet. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.70038

Publication

Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie
ISSN: 1439-0388
NlmUniqueID: 100955807
Country: Germany
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Ricard, Anne
  • Pole Développement Innovation et Recherche, IFCE, Gouffern en Auge, France.
  • Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Deretz, Séverine
  • Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Menard, Cathy
  • Pole Développement Innovation et Recherche, IFCE, Gouffern en Auge, France.
Priest, Bernard Dumont Saint
  • Pole Développement Innovation et Recherche, IFCE, Gouffern en Auge, France.

Grant Funding

  • Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement
  • IFCE
  • Fonds Eperon

References

This article includes 38 references
  1. Bartolome EJ, Sanchez MJ, Molina A, Schaefer AL, Cervantes I, Valera M. Using Eye Temperature and Heart Rate for Stress Assessment in Young Horses Competing in Jumping Competitions and Its Possible Influence on Sport Performance. Animal 2013;7(12):2044-2053.
    doi: 10.1017/s1751731113001626google scholar: lookup
  2. Bartolome EJ, Perdomo-Gonzalez DI, Sanchez-Guerrero MJ, Valera M. Genetic Parameters of Effort and Recovery in Sport Horses Assessed With Infrared Thermography. Animals 2021;11(3):832.
    doi: 10.3390/ani11030832google scholar: lookup
  3. Bartolome EJ, Perdomo-Gonzalez DI, Ripolles-Lobo M, Valera M. Basal Reactivity Evaluated by Infrared Thermography in the “Caballo de Deporte Español” Horse Breed According to Its Coat Color. Animals 2022;12(19):2515.
    doi: 10.3390/ani12192515google scholar: lookup
  4. Bertrand F, Maumy M. Partial Least Squares Regression for Generalized Linear Models. R Package Version 1.5.1.
  5. Birt MA, Guay K, Treiber K, Ramirez HR, Snyder D. The Influence of a Soft Touch Therapy Flowtrition on Heart Rate, Surface Temperature, and Behavior in Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2015;35(8):636-644.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2015.06.006google scholar: lookup
  6. Carvalho JRG, Del Puppo D, Littiere TO. Functional Infrared Thermography Imaging Can Be Used to Assess the Effectiveness of Maxicam Gel in Pre‐Emptively Treating Transient Synovitis and Lameness in Horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024;11:1399815.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1399815google scholar: lookup
  7. Cook N, Schaefer A, Warren L, Burwash L, Anderson M, Baron V. Adrenocortical and Metabolic Responses to ACTH Injection in Horses: An Assessment by Salivary Cortisol and Infrared Thermography of the Eye. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 2001;81(4):621.
  8. Dai F, Cogi NH, Heinzl EUL, Dalla Costa E, Canali E, Minero M. Validation of a Fear Test in Sport Horses Using Infrared Thermography. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2015;10(2):128-136.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2014.12.001google scholar: lookup
  9. Dubois C, Manfredi E, Ricard A. Optimization of Breeding Schemes for Sport Horses. Livestock Science 2008;118(1-2):99-112.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2008.01.005google scholar: lookup
  10. Ducro BJ, Gorissen B, van Eldik P, Back W. Influence of Foot Conformation on Duration of Competitive Life in a Dutch Warmblood Horse Population. Equine Veterinary Journal 2009;41(2):144-148.
    doi: 10.2746/042516408x363800google scholar: lookup
  11. Dugue M, Saint Priest BD, Crichan H, Danvy S, Ricard A. Genomic Correlations Between the Gaits of Young Horses Measured by Accelerometry and Functional Longevity in Jumping Competition. Frontiers in Genetics 2021;12:619947.
    doi: 10.3389/fgene.2021.619947google scholar: lookup
  12. Figueiredo T, Dzyekanski B, Pimpao CT, Silveira AB, Capriglione LG, Michelotto PV. Use of Infrared Thermography to Detect Intrasynovial Injections in Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2013;33(4):257-260.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.07.003google scholar: lookup
  13. Gilmour AR, Gogel BJ, Cullis BR, Welham SJ, Thompson R. ASReml User Guide Release 4.1 Structural Specication. .
  14. Harari S, Deretz S, Dumont Saint Priest B, Richard E, Ricard A. Comparison of Blood Parameters in Two Genetically Different Groups of Horses for Functional Longevity in Show Jumping. Frontiers in Genetics 2024;15:1455790.
    doi: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1455790google scholar: lookup
  15. Holzer K, Rijkenhuizen ABM, Simhofer H. Thermographic Imaging in the Diagnosis of Equine Sinonasal Disease. Pferdeheilkunde 2010;26(2):168-172.
    doi: 10.21836/pem20100208google scholar: lookup
  16. Jonsson L, Egenvall A, Roepstorff L, Nasholm A, Dalin G, Philipsson J. Associations of Health Status and Conformation With Longevity and Lifetime Competition Performance in Young Swedish Warmblood Riding Horses: 8,238 Cases (1983‐2005). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 244, no. 12: 1449–1461.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.244.12.1449google scholar: lookup
  17. Kastberger G, Stachl R. Infrared Imaging Technology and Biological Applications. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers 35, no. 3: 429–439.
    doi: 10.3758/bf03195520google scholar: lookup
  18. Lê S, Josse J, Husson F. FactoMineR: An R Package for Multivariate Analysis. Journal of Statistical Software 25, no. 1: 18.
    doi: 10.18637/jss.v025.i01google scholar: lookup
  19. Masko M, Borowska M, Domino M, Jasinski T, Zdrojkowski L, Gajewski Z. A Novel Approach to Thermographic Images Analysis of Equine Thoracolumbar Region: The Effect of Effort and Rider's Body Weight on Structural Image Complexity. BMC Veterinary Research 17: 99.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917‐021‐02803‐2google scholar: lookup
  20. Michelotto BL, Rocha RMV M, Michelotto PV. Thermographic Detection of Dorsal Metacarpal/Metatarsal Disease in 2‐Year‐Old Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Preliminary Study. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 44: 37–41.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.04.005google scholar: lookup
  21. Negro S, Bartolome E, Molina A, Sole M, Gomez MD, Valera M. Stress Level Effects on Sport Performance During Trotting Races in Spanish Trotter Horses. Research in Veterinary Science 118: 86–90.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.01.017google scholar: lookup
  22. Negro S, Sanchez‐Guerrero MI, Bartolome E. Evidence for the Effect of Serotoninergic and Dopaminergic Gene Variants on Stress Levels in Horses Participating in Dressage and Harness Racing. Animal Production Science 59, no. 12: 2206–2211.
    doi: 10.1071/an18358google scholar: lookup
  23. Prochno HC, Barussi FM, Bastos FZ. Infrared Thermography Applied to Monitoring Musculoskeletal Adaptation to Training in Thoroughbred Race Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 87: 102935.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102935google scholar: lookup
  24. Redaelli V, Luzi F, Mazzola S. The Use of Infrared Thermography (IRT) as Stress Indicator in Horses Trained for Endurance: A Pilot Study. Animals 9: 84.
    doi: 10.3390/ani9030084google scholar: lookup
  25. Sanchez MJ, Bartolome E, Valera M. Genetic Study of Stress Assessed With Infrared Thermography During Dressage Competitions in the Pura Raza Espanol Horse. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 174: 58–65.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.11.006google scholar: lookup
  26. Seiero T, Mark T, Jonsson L. Genetic Parameters for Longevity and Informative Value of Early Indicator Traits in Danish Show Jumping Horses. Livestock Science 184: 126–133.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2015.12.010google scholar: lookup
  27. Soroko M, Henklewski R, Filipowski H, Jodkowska E. The Effectiveness of Thermographic Analysis in Equine Orthopedics. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33, no. 9: 760–762.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.11.009google scholar: lookup
  28. Soroko M, Howell K, Dudek K. The Effect of Ambient Temperature on Infrared Thermographic Images of Joints in the Distal Forelimbs of Healthy Racehorses. Journal of Thermal Biology 66: 63–67.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.03.018google scholar: lookup
  29. Soroko M, Howell K, Dudek K, Henklewski R, Zielinska P, Qirt OC. The Influence of Breed, Age, Gender, Training Level and Ambient Temperature on Forelimb and Back Temperature in Racehorses. In 13th Quantitative Infrared Thermography Conference (QIRT), 755–764. Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunication & Informatics, Gdansk.
  30. Soroko M, Howell K. Infrared Thermography: Current Applications in Equine Medicine. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 60: 90–96.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.11.002google scholar: lookup
  31. Soroko M, Howell K, Dudek K, Waliczek A, Micek P, Flaga J. Relationship Between Maximum Eye Temperature and Plasma Cortisol Concentration in Racehorses During Intensive Training. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences 24, no. 3: 393–397.
    doi: 10.24425/pjvs.2021.138730google scholar: lookup
  32. Soroko M, Howell K, Zwyrzykowska A, Dudek K, Zielińska P, Kupczyński R. Maximum Eye Temperature in the Assessment of Training in Racehorses: Correlations With Salivary Cortisol Concentration, Rectal Temperature, and Heart Rate. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 45: 39–45.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.06.005google scholar: lookup
  33. Stewart M, Webster JR, Schaefer AL, Cook NJ, Scott SL. Infrared Thermography as a Non‐Invasive Tool to Study Animal Welfare. Animal Welfare 14, no. 4: 319–325.
    doi: 10.1017/s096272860002964xgoogle scholar: lookup
  34. Stock KF, Distl O. Survey on the Development of Hanoverian Warmblood Horses, Selected for Sale at Auction in 1991 to 1998. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 25, no. 5: 210–223.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2005.04.004google scholar: lookup
  35. Tallis GM. Sampling Errors of Genetic Correlation‐Coefficients Calculated From Analysis of Variance and Covariance. Australian Journal of Statistics 1, no. 2: 35–43.
  36. Valera M, Bartolome E, Sanchez MJ, Molina A, Cook N, Schaefer A. Changes in Eye Temperature and Stress Assessment in Horses During Show Jumping Competitions. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 32, no. 12: 827–830.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.03.005google scholar: lookup
  37. Van Hoogmoed L, Snyder JR, Allen AK, Waldsmith JD. Use of Infrared Thermography to Detect Performance Enhancing Techniques in Horses. Equine Veterinary Education 12, no. 2: 102–107.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042‐3292.2000.tb01772.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  38. Wallin L, Strandberg E, Philipsson J. Phenotypic Relationship Between Test Results of Swedish Warmblood Horses as 4‐Year‐Olds and Longevity. Livestock Production Science 68, no. 2–3: 97–105.
    doi: 10.1016/s0301‐6226(00)00244‐xgoogle scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,970 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.