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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters,...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(12); 2019; doi: 10.3390/ani13122019

Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sprint racing performance of Quarter Horses in Brazil. Estimating genetic parameters, trends and correlations were obtained by single- and two-trait analyses using Bayesian inference (earnings to 2 years of equestrian age, best time and time class at distances of 301 m and 402 m). The data comprised a period of 38 equestrian years (1978 to 2015) with 23,482 sprint race records from 5861 animals. The heritability estimates were of low to moderate magnitude, ranging from 0.10 to 0.37 (single-trait) and from 0.15 to 0.41 (two-traits), and the repeatability was 0.31 to 0.46. The additive, residual and phenotypic correlations between earnings to 2 years of equestrian age and the other traits (best time and time class in distances 301 m and 402 m) were high (-0.95, -0.96, 0.69 and 0.92), low (-0.29, -0.37, 0.26 and 0.27) and moderate (-0.41, -0.47, 0.37 and 0.47), respectively. There is a positive genetic trend for all traits considered. However, evaluation of the last 10 equestrian years (2006 to 2015) showed negative trends (genetic loss) and trends close to zero (genetic stagnation). The design of breeding programs using the earnings trait in conjunction with other racing performance traits can enhance changes in the genetic gains as a whole in speed-racing Quarter Horses. These findings suggest that the traits studied should be included in breeding selection programs for racing Quarter Horses.
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Publication Date: 2023-06-17 PubMed ID: 37370529PubMed Central: PMC10294889DOI: 10.3390/ani13122019Google 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 study looked into the racing performance of Quarter Horses in Brazil, with a specific focus on various genetic aspects such as parameters, trends and correlations. The research established that traits relating to performance are moderately hereditary and there are high correlations between age, earnings and other traits, but there are concerns about recent negative genetic trends.

Objective and Methodology

  • The researchers sought to evaluate the sprint racing performance of Quarter Horses in Brazil, particularly focusing on genetic parameters, correlations and trends.
  • Single and two-trait analyses were done using Bayesian inference, particularly on earnings at two years of age, best racing times and time class at distances of 301 and 402 meters.
  • The study spanned a period of 38 years from 1978 to 2015, incorporating data from 23,482 sprint race records belonging to 5,861 animals.

Findings

  • The heritability estimates for racing traits were found to be of low to moderate magnitude. The estimates for single traits were between 0.10 and 0.37, and for two traits between 0.15 to 0.41.
  • The study found that the additive, residual and phenotypic correlations between a horse’s earnings at 2 years of equestrian age and other racing performance traits (best time and time class) were notably high. The correlations ran both negatively (-0.95, -0.96) and positively (0.69, 0.92).
  • All traits considered were found to have a positive genetic trend overall. However, in the last ten years reviewed (2006 to 2015), there have been negative trends indicating genetic loss, and trends close to zero, indicating genetic stagnation.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The insights gathered from the research suggest that breeding programs can improve overall genetic gains by focusing not only on the earnings trait, but also on other racing performance traits. This can enhance the speed of racing Quarter Horses.
  • The negative trends and stagnation observed in the last ten years emphasizes the need to consider the studied traits in selection programs for breeding racing Quarter Horses to avoid declining performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Faria R, Vicente A, Silva J. (2023). Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class. Animals (Basel), 13(12), 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13122019

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 12
PII: 2019

Researcher Affiliations

Faria, Ricardo
  • Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
  • Hi-Tech Equine (HT Equine, Unipessoal LDA), 7330-313 Marvão, Portugal.
Vicente, António
  • Escola Superior Agrária de Santarém (ESAS), Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal.
  • CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal.
  • AL4AnimalS-Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal.
  • CIEQV-Life Quality Research Centre, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2001-904 Santarém, Portugal.
Silva, Josineudson
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Botucatu 18618-307, SP, Brazil.
  • National Council for Science and Technological Development, Brasilia 71605-001, DF, Brazil.

Grant Funding

  • 88882.180634/2018-01 / Coordenau00e7u00e3o de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nu00edvel Superior

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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