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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Prediction of early race starts in Norwegian-Swedish Coldblo...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2010; 52(1); 53; doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-53

Prediction of early race starts in Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters.

Abstract: Less than a third of Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters (NSCTs) have started racing as three year olds since the year 2000 despite the fact that large sums are paid out as price-money in the three year season. Recruitment races are arranged by the Norwegian Trotting Association (NTA) to stimulate early training. The management of young horses varies considerably and a large majority is reared by amateurs. The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of early race starts in young NSCT horses under field conditions. Methods: Of the 801 registered NSCT horses born in 2005, 144 were randomly selected by stratified sampling with gender and paternal progeny as stratification factors. All horses were examined clinically. Further data were collected from NTA and by interviews of breeders, owners and trainers. The set of dependent variables consisted of "passed recruitment race", "start in regular race by the end of the three year season" and "start in regular race by the end of October in the four year season". Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Genetic performance potential, as indicated by best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) indices, was the major predictor of the three dependent variables despite large variation in management. Dam's index was a better predictor than sire's index. However, the probability of early race starts in a horse with a low genetic performance potential can be increased by a favourable management. Examples of advantageous management factors in the present study were a flat pasture the first summer and early training. Nearly all horses racing in the three or four year seasons had passed a recruitment race in the two year season. Conclusions: The results confirm the value of the published BLUP index as an important tool for the NSCT breeding program. Recruitment races stimulate early training.
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Publication Date: 2010-09-22 PubMed ID: 20860836PubMed Central: PMC2955654DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-53Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research study investigates factors influencing early race starts, specifically in three-year-old Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters (NSCTs). It identifies the genetic performance potential of the horse, determined by Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) indices, as the major predictor of early race starts, despite variations in management. However, management factors like a flat pasture in the first summer and early training can increase the chances of early racing of a horse with low genetic potential.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers randomly selected 144 from 801 registered horses born in 2005 using stratified sampling with gender and paternal progeny as stratification factors.
  • All selected horses underwent a clinical examination.
  • Further data on the horses was collected from the Norwegian Trotting Association (NTA) and through interviews with breeders, owners, and trainers.
  • The dependent variables used in the study were: “passed recruitment race”, “start in regular race by the end of the three-year season”, and “start in regular race by the end of October in the four-year season”.
  • The researchers used univariate and logistic regression analyses to analyze the data collected.

Research Findings

  • The horse’s genetic performance potential, as represented by BLUP indices, was found to be the principal predictor of the dependent variables.
  • The index of the dam, or mother horse, was found to be a better predictor than that of the sire, or father horse.
  • Management practices like a flat pasture in the first summer and starting training early can enhance the chances of a horse with low genetic potential starting racing early.
  • Nearly all horses that participated in races in their three or four-year seasons had passed a recruitment race in their two-year season.

Conclusions

  • The study reaffirms the importance of BLUP indices in the NSCT breeding program.
  • Recruitment races are effective in promoting early training in horses
  • Optimal management practices can enhance a horse’s chances of early racing, especially in a horse with low genetic performance potential.

Cite This Article

APA
Revold T, Larsen S, Ihler CF. (2010). Prediction of early race starts in Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters. Acta Vet Scand, 52(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-52-53

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 1
Pages: 53

Researcher Affiliations

Revold, Tobias
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Section for Equine Medicine, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Post box 8146 Dep,, N-0033 Oslo, Norway. tobias.revold@nvh.no
Larsen, Stig
    Ihler, Carl F

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Horses / physiology
      • Interviews as Topic
      • Logistic Models
      • Norway
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
      • Running / physiology

      References

      This article includes 17 references
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      Citations

      This article has been cited 2 times.
      1. Hellings IR, Skjerve E, Karlstam E, Valheim M, Ihler CF, Fintl C. Racing-associated fatalities in Norwegian and Swedish harness racehorses: Incidence rates, risk factors, and principal postmortem findings.. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Mar;36(2):778-786.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.16364pubmed: 35060194google scholar: lookup
      2. Egenvall A, Nødtvedt A, Roepstorff L, Bonnett B. Integrating databases for research on health and performance in small animals and horses in the Nordic countries.. Acta Vet Scand 2011;53 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S4.
        doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-53-S1-S4pubmed: 21999438google scholar: lookup
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