Prevalence, heritability and significance of musculoskeletal conformational traits in Thoroughbred yearlings.
Abstract: The assessment of belief that equine conformation is associated with performance and durability is a fundamental concept of horsemanship. Surprisingly, there is almost no quantitative evidence to support these beliefs. Objective: To assess the prevalence and heritability of conformational traits in Thoroughbred yearlings, and investigate their significance for subsequent turf flat-racing performance and durability. Methods: Nine selected conformational traits were assessed in a consistent, qualitative manner by a single veterinary observer and entered into a database together with details of pedigree and racing records. Results: Conformational data were collected from 3916 Thoroughbred yearlings sold at public auction during the 7 year period 1993-1999. Most of the horses (72%) raced in the UK in turf flat races; just 7% of the yearlings failed to race. Prevalence of conformational defects for the UK horses was reported, with turned out feet the most commonly recorded defect (30% of all horses). There was a tendency towards a greater proportion of horses with defects in the group of unraced horses compared with horses that raced, but this was not statistically significant. There were some significant associations between racing performance and conformational defects but these were found to be almost completely explained by an effect of sire. All of the conformational traits showed considerable evidence of genetic influence, with heritability indices ranging 0.16-1.00. Conclusions: Overall, there were only weak associations between performance and conformation that could not be accounted for by the very strong relationship between pedigree and conformation. Further study of potential association between highly heritable conformation traits and racing durability and racing performance should be undertaken utilising validated, quantitative methods and technology.
Publication Date: 2007-01-19 PubMed ID: 17228572DOI: 10.2746/042516406x159016Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates whether musculoskeletal conformation (horsemanship) traits of Thoroughbred yearling horses affect their future performance and durability in turf flat-racing.
Methods and Approach
- The researchers inspected nine chosen conformational traits in young Thoroughbred horses in a consistent, qualitative fashion. These checks were performed by a lone veterinary observer.
- In addition to this, they collected data regarding the horses’ pedigree and racing records. This extensive data was compiled into a database for further analysis.
Findings and Results
- The data collected spanned a period of seven years, from 1993 to 1999, and consisted of 3916 Thoroughbred yearlings that were sold at public auctions.
- Among these horses, 72% took part in UK turf flat races while only 7% of yearlings did not participate in races.
- The defects in the conformation of the UK horses were tracked, with the most frequently occurring defect being “turned out feet”, observed in 30% of the horses.
- Unraced horses tended to have a slightly higher proportion of conformational defects as compared to the horses that raced regularly, however, this difference was not statistically significant.
- There were certain correlations found between race performance and conformational issues but these could almost entirely be attributed to the influence of the horse’s sire (father).
- The study found substantial evidence of genetic influence on all the investigated conformation traits, with heritability indices fluctuating from 0.16 to 1.00.
Conclusion
- The findings of this study implied only weak associations between the performance of a horse in a race and it’s conformation. Furthermore, any such correlations could be largely explained by considering the pedigree and conformation of the sire.
- This study suggests that more research should be conducted on the possible correlation between highly heritable conformational traits, racing performance, and longevity. The researchers recommend specifically designed, quantitative methods and advanced technology should be used for future research in this area.
Cite This Article
APA
Love S, Wyse CA, Stirk AJ, Stear MJ, Calver P, Voute LC, Mellor DJ.
(2007).
Prevalence, heritability and significance of musculoskeletal conformational traits in Thoroughbred yearlings.
Equine Vet J, 38(7), 597-603.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406x159016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Companion Animal Sciences, Institute of Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology
- Bone and Bones / physiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena
- Pedigree
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Running / physiology
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Corbally AF, Mulligan FJ, Sweeney T, Fahey AG. Phenotypic Associations Between Linearly Scored Traits and Sport Horse Auction Sales Price in Ireland. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 29;15(15).
- Ripollés-Lobo M, Perdomo-González DI, Valera M, Gómez MD. Conformational Defects in the Limbs of Menorca Purebred Horses and Their Relationship to Functionality. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 31;14(7).
- Ripollés-Lobo M, Perdomo-González DI, Azor PJ, Valera M. Orthopedic Diseases in the Pura Raza Española Horse: The Prevalence and Genetic Parameters of Angular Hoof Deviations. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 10;13(22).
- Sato A, Kato T, Tajima M. Comparison of distal forelimb conformations between Japanese Black and Holstein-Friesian newborn calves. J Vet Med Sci 2021 Jun 9;83(6):940-946.
- Gmel AI, Druml T, von Niederhäusern R, Leeb T, Neuditschko M. Genome-Wide Association Studies Based on Equine Joint Angle Measurements Reveal New QTL Affecting the Conformation of Horses. Genes (Basel) 2019 May 14;10(5).
- Sevane N, Dunner S, Boado A, Cañon J. Polymorphisms in ten candidate genes are associated with conformational and locomotive traits in Spanish Purebred horses. J Appl Genet 2017 Aug;58(3):355-361.
- Tozaki T, Sato F, Ishimaru M, Kikuchi M, Kakoi H, Hirota KI, Nagata SI. Sequence variants of BIEC2-808543 near LCORL are associated with body composition in Thoroughbreds under training. J Equine Sci 2016;27(3):107-114.
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