Equestrian sport at high level is demanding and many aspects have to be optimized for the horse to perform well and stay sound. The underlying factors of successful performance and soundness, and the consequences of breeding for more extreme horses are still unknown. The aim of this project is to provide knowledge that can help breeders to consider both performance and health in sport horses breeding.
A responsible breeding for sustainable horse production and good horse welfare is of high importance. The specialization process towards either show jumping or dressage may result in breeding for more extreme traits, and currently we do not know what consequences this may entail.
Since 2013, more than 50 linearly described traits have been recorded at young horse tests for Swedish warmblood horses. These conformation, gait and jumping traits are assessed on a biological scale, from one extreme to the other, e.g., short to long, inelastic to elastic. These traits will be correlated to health status, collected from surveys and insurance data, as well as longevity and competition results.
Using statistical analyses, we will analyze relationships between linear traits and traits associated with performance, health and sustainability. We hypothesize that these relationships can be linear or have a potential optimum. We want to identify potential optima and investigate whether they are the same for performance as for health and longevity.
The project will provide knowledge about optimal characteristics for healthy and high-performing sport horses. The knowledge is important for individual breeders as well as for breeding organizations, and is crucial for sustainable horse production and good horse welfare.
Contact information:
Åsa Gelinder Viklund
Department of Animal Biosciences (HBIO),
Applied genetics
asa.gelinder.viklund@slu.se, +4618671967