A10: Technology of sport horse breeding. Traits, and genetic improvement of sport horses.

Question 1

What new breeding methods are available in the sport horse industry?

Answer 1

-> ICSI
-> oocyte transfer
-> embryo transfer

Question 2

what is ICSI?

Answer 2

INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION.
a single sperm is injected into an eggwhich has been extracted form a mare. the embryo then develops for a week before being implanted in the mare.

Question 3

What is Oocyte Transfer?

Answer 3

A technique that involves oocytes (eggs) being collected from a donor mare and then transplanted into a surrogate female before being fertilised.

Question 4

What is embryo transfer?

Answer 4

The technique of removing (flushing) an embryo from the uterus of one mare (the biological dam) and placing it into the uterus of the recipient mare. The recipient carries the foetus, births and raises the foal until weaning.
This process allows high class mares to continue performing in competition.
One or more foals can be bred forma certain mare each season.

Question 5

What is the most typical breed type in sport horses?

Answer 5

• TBX are common, although depends on level & type of competition (TBX → Thoroughbred cross = 1
  Thoroughbred parent & 1 parent of another breed).
• Bred for performance / ability, not necessarily appearance / pedigree.

Question 6

What traits are common for each equine discipline?

Answer 6

• Dressage: Movement, aesthetics, elegance, correctness of gaits, good learning capacity.
• Show Jumping: Precision riding with obstacles, jumping ability.
• 3-Day Event: Good combination of all skills from all disciplines (well-rounded ability).
• Endurance: Stamina, ability over range of terrains.
• Hunting: Ability to comprehend unpredictable routes, speed, agility, stamina, courage.
• Western: Starting, stopping, turning ability (agility).

Question 7

Genetic Improvement: What are EBVs?

Answer 7

ESTIMATED BREEDING VALUES:
used to determine the likelihood of a dam to pass on their traits to their offspring.

Question 8

What is an equine database and what is it good for?

Answer 8

Brings together breeding info, comp results, details of evaluations and gradings gives breeders optimum knowledge for choosing mates when breeding.

Question 9

What is genomic selection?

Answer 9

the use of DNA info of the whole genome or as much that is available to select horses.

Question 10

What DNA tests are being designed and what are their uses?

Answer 10

DNA info is being used as a tool for selection.
Tests are being designed to detect carriers of defects caused by only one gene e.g. osteochondrosis.
A reference population is tested for such defects and a DNA test is created.
These tests are x3 more reliable than observations from xrays.
Advantage: much more cost effective for breeder, much quicker.

Question 11

What general traits should a breeder look for when selecting a stallion or mare?

Answer 11

1) Conformation (shape/structure of a horse and how it can impact its athletic ability):
◦ Neck should be one and a half times the length of the head.
◦ Neck should tie into the horse’s body fairly high to provide good chest space.
2) (Good) Temperament:
◦ Measured from 1-10 (with 1 = very calm demeanor, referred to as “bombproof” & 10 = horse is very “hot” or hot-blooded and easily spooked.
3) Ability (depends on discipline).
4) Movement.