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PloS one2018; 13(8); e0202931; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202931

Repeatability, reproducibility and consistency of horse shape data and its association with linearly described conformation traits in Franches-Montagnes stallions.

Abstract: Linear description (LD) of conformation traits was introduced in horse breeding to minimise subjectivity in scoring. However, recent studies have shown that LD traits show essentially the same problems as traditionally scored traits, such as data converging around the mean value with very small standard deviations. To improve the assessment of conformation traits of horses, we investigated the application of the recently described horse shape space model based upon 403 digitised photographs of 243 Franches-Montagnes (FM) stallions and extracted joint angles based on specific landmark triplets. Repeatability, reproducibility and consistency of the resulting shape data and joint angles were assessed with Procrustes ANOVA (Rep) and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Furthermore, we developed a subjective score to classify the posture of the horses on each photograph. We derived relative warp scores (PCs) based upon the digitised photos conducting a principal component analysis (PCA). The PCs of the shapes and joint angles were compared to the posture scores and to the linear description data using linear mixed effect models including significant posture scores as random factors. The digitisation process was highly repeatable and reproducible for the shape (Rep = 0.72-0.99, ICC = 0.99). The consistency of the shape was limited by the age and posture (p < 0.05). The angle measurements were highly repeatable within one digitiser. Between digitisers, we found a higher variability of ICC values (ICC = 0.054-0.92), indicating digitising error in specific landmarks (e.g. shoulder point). The posture scores were highly repeatable (Fleiss' kappa = 0.713-0.857). We identified significant associations (p(X2) < 0.05) with traits describing the withers height, shoulder length and incline, overall leg conformation, walk and trot step length. The horse shape data and angles provide additional information to explore the morphology of horses and therefore can be applied to improve the knowledge of the genetic architecture of LD traits.
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Publication Date: 2018-08-27 PubMed ID: 30148872PubMed Central: PMC6110498DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202931Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The article focuses on the effectiveness of the linear description method of scoring traits in horse breeding, offering alternatives based on a horse shape model using photographs, and comparing joint angles and posture scores. The results showed that this method, which was highly repeatable and reproducible, can provide additional information for understanding horse morphology, improving the understanding of the genetic architecture of these traits.

Research Method

  • The researchers applied a recently developed horse shape space model to 403 digitised images of 243 Franches-Montagnes (FM) stallions.
  • The joint angles based on specific landmark triplets were extracted from the images.
  • They used Procrustes ANOVA and intra-class correlation coefficients to measure the repeatability, reproducibility, and consistency of the shape data and joint angles obtained.
  • A subjective score of the horse’s posture in each photo was created, and a principal component analysis was conducted to derive relative warp scores.
  • The researchers employed linear mixed-effect models to compare principal components of the shapes and joint angles to posture scores and linear description data.

Results and Findings

  • The digitisation process was found to be highly repeatable and reproducible, with consistency limited by factors such as the age and posture of the horse.
  • The angle measurements showed high repeatability but showed increased variability between different digitisers, indicating potential error for certain landmarks.
  • The posture scores were also highly repeatable and demonstrated significant associations with traits such as the horse’s withers height, shoulder length, overall leg conformation, and the length of walk and trot steps.

Impact

  • The results suggest that the horse shape data and angle measurements can reveal more information about horse morphology, enhancing knowledge of the genetic architecture associated with linear description traits.
  • This could potentially lead to more accurate and objective assessments of conformation traits in horse breeding by reducing the problems currently associated with the linear description scoring system.

Cite This Article

APA
Gmel AI, Druml T, Portele K, von Niederhäusern R, Neuditschko M. (2018). Repeatability, reproducibility and consistency of horse shape data and its association with linearly described conformation traits in Franches-Montagnes stallions. PLoS One, 13(8), e0202931. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202931

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 8
Pages: e0202931
PII: e0202931

Researcher Affiliations

Gmel, Annik Imogen
  • Agroscope-Swiss National Stud Farm, Avenches, Switzerland.
  • Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Druml, Thomas
  • Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Portele, Katrin
  • Agroscope-Swiss National Stud Farm, Avenches, Switzerland.
  • Equine Sciences Faculty, Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
von Niederhäusern, Rudolf
  • Agroscope-Swiss National Stud Farm, Avenches, Switzerland.
Neuditschko, Markus
  • Agroscope-Swiss National Stud Farm, Avenches, Switzerland.
  • Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Body Constitution
  • Breeding
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Linear Models
  • Movement
  • Phenotype
  • Posture
  • Reproducibility of Results

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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