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Retrospective and statistical analysis of breeding management on the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed.
Abstract: This study investigated some aspects of breeding management in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed, aiming at improving its efficiency at stud farm level. A first aim was to evaluate the risk of unsuccessful reproduction in mares after an early (3 years) or normal (4 years) age at first foaling, in interaction with different stud rearing systems. A second objective was the examination of the mean time length in which young 2-year-old stallions maintain a genetic superiority on older proven stallions, identifying a 'genetic lifespan' in which young stallions can be safely used for reducing the cost of services. Reproductive performance at first and second foaling of 1513 mares were used. Mares had a normal first foal at 3 (n = 745) or 4 years of age (n = 768) in stud farms on the basis of stable (n = 488), feral (n = 345) or semi-feral (n = 680) rearing systems. Logistic regression analysis was performed by modeling the risk of unsuccessful reproduction in the subsequent season (i.e., results at second foaling), as affected by the interaction of age at first foaling × rearing system (six classes). Genetic lifespan of young stallions was estimated by regressing the least square means from a mixed model analysis for repeated measures of individual differences in 'total merit' estimated breeding values (EBVs) between young stallions (mean no. of 45/year) and the mean EBV of all proven stallions in a given year of genetic evaluation (mean no. of 483/year). Young stallions born between 1999 and 2005 were used, following each generation (i.e., birth year) from 2 to 7 subsequent yearly genetic evaluations. In comparison with the best reproductive success of second foaling at 4 years in stable systems, the greatest risk of unsuccessful reproduction was at 3 years in feral (+167%) and 3 years in semi-feral conditions (+91%). Young stallions showed a 0.50 s.d. greater EBV at the first evaluation than proven stallions, with a mean annual decrease in EBV of 0.07 s.d./year on proven stallions. Optimal breeding management could be obtained in stud farms by limiting foaling at 3 years, particularly in feral and semi-feral rearing systems, and using young stallions for 3 to 4 years to maintain a perceptible selection differential with older proven stallions and to reduce cost of services. Later, the selection differential with proven stallions become less consistent and genetic improvement could be slowed down.
Publication Date: 2013-03-11 PubMed ID: 23473302DOI: 10.1017/S175173111300027XGoogle 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.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study examines breeding management approaches for the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed with a focus on mare reproduction efficiency and stallion ‘genetic lifespan’. Different stud rearing systems and various mare and stallion ages are analyzed to determine the optimal conditions for successful breeding and genetic superiority.
Objective
The research is aimed at improving breeding management efficiency of Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed at stud farm level.
- The first purpose of the study was to assess the risk of unsuccessful mares reproductivity that had their first foal at early (3 years) or normal age (4 years) in conjunction with various stud rearing systems.
- The second objective revolved around the evaluation of the duration young 2-year-old stallions maintain a genetic superiority over older stallions. This helped to determine a ‘genetic lifespan’ that assures young stallions can be used effectively for reducing the cost of services.
Methods
- A retrospective analysis of reproductive performance of 1513 mares at their first and second foaling was conducted. Mares had their first foal either at 3 or 4 years of age at stud farms with different rearing systems (stable, feral, or semi-feral).
- The risk of unsuccessful reproduction in the next season was modeled using logistic regression analysis. The variables involved were the interaction of the mare’s age at first foaling and the rearing system used.
- The ‘genetic lifespan’ of young stallions was estimated by comparing estimated breeding values (EBVs) of young stallions and the mean EBV of all proven stallions in a particular year. This analysis involved looking into individual differences and annual EBV decrease rate.
Findings
- In comparison with the second foal birth at 4 years in a stable system, the greatest risk of unsuccessful reproduction was at age 3 years in both feral (+167%) and semi-feral conditions (+91%).
- Young stallions demonstrated a 0.50 s.d. higher EBV at the first evaluation than proven stallions. They had a mean annual decrease in EBV of 0.07 s.d./year on proven stallions.
- Optimal breeding management in stud farms could be achieved by limiting foaling at age 3 years, especially in feral and semi-feral rearing systems, and by using young stallions for 3 to 4 years to maintain a solid selection differential with older proven stallions while also reducing the cost of services.
Implications
The research indicates that successful breeding management in Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed is dependent on both the mare’s age at first foaling and stallion ‘genetic lifespan’. By combining age and rearing system considerations with a stallion’s ‘genetic lifespan’, farms can continue to advance genetically while also reducing costs. However, a reduced selection differential with older stallions over time may slow genetic improvement. The findings offer important insights into how to optimize breeding management in stud farms.
Cite This Article
APA
Mantovani R, Sartori C, Pigozzi G.
(2013).
Retrospective and statistical analysis of breeding management on the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed.
Animal, 7(7), 1053-1059.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S175173111300027X Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Agripolis, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy. roberto.mantovani@unipd.it
MeSH Terms
- Age Distribution
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Breeding
- Female
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / physiology
- Italy
- Longevity
- Male
- Reproduction
- Retrospective Studies
- Seasons
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Mancin E, Ablondi M, Mantovani R, Pigozzi G, Sabbioni A, Sartori C. Genetic Variability in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse from Pedigree Data and Genomic Information. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jul 30;10(8).
- Folla F, Sartori C, Mancin E, Pigozzi G, Mantovani R. Genetic Parameters of Linear Type Traits Scored at 30 Months in Italian Heavy Draught Horse. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 25;10(6).
- Mantovani R, Folla F, Pigozzi G, Tsuruta S, Sartori C. Genetics of Lifetime Reproductive Performance in Italian Heavy Draught Horse Mares. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 23;10(6).
- Lancioni H, Cardinali I, Giontella A, Antognoni MT, Miglio A. Mitochondrial DNA variation in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse. PeerJ 2020;8:e8996.
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