A7: Breeding goals and utilization forms in horse breeding, most important performance traits (race, sport, others) Flashcards
what are breeding goals? give an example
Main goal: correct conformation, pace and temperment to produce versatile and sound animals.
The specific breeding goals for each breed differs between studbooks/ breeding institutes.
Breeding goals are dependent on the desired purpose or use of the horse.
Example:
ISH Breeding Studbook outlines goals based on performance.
Irish Draught Horse Studbook outline breed traits.
Specific breeds and their modern day uses?
thoroughbred –> racing
warmblood –> competition (SJ, eventing)
what does purebreeding involve:
Animals within the same studbook.
Inbreeding: inbreeding coefficient should not exceed 0.1 - 0.3.
Line breeding: Repeated back crossing used for character fixation
What does cross-breeding involve?
- Blood refreshment → Crossing of individuals of same breed but different familial lines to increase
vigor.
Single crossing → One-time crossing - Grading up → Regular crossings throughout more generations to improve breed/produce new breed
- Synthetic breed → A planned gene pool of a horse breed
- Terminal crossings → Utilized heterosis
- Interspecies hybrids → Mules, etc
What are mating systems?
also known as methods of mating:
natural (stud or hand mating)
individual and AI (no AI in TB industry)
what is a measurable parameter of a sport horses performance?
cumulated prizes and prize money.
the criteria and traits are different depending on the sport.
what are the prerequisites for horse breeding?
clear breeding goal.
understand the genetic basics: mendelian inheritance, population or quantitative genetics.
what are other reasons for selection of non-sport horses?
selection for meat.
requirements and charavterisitics.
early maturity.
higher fertility.
shorter foaling period.
mil production and maternal abilities in raising a foal.
selection for milk production: amount of milk and foals weight gain.
uses of horses throughout history
TRANSPORTATION: riding (saddle horse) and driving (harness horse).
WORK— farming, carts, ploughing, cavalry, police, ranching, etc.
* FOOD— meat, milk
* COMPANIONSHIP(pleasure riding, pleasure driving)
* Therapeutic purposes
* SPORT— hunting, racing
* MEDICINE— Globulin & eCG (equine choriogonadotropin) production
* HOUSING and TOOLS — horse hair
Specific breed and uses in history
- Arabian horse → earliest documentation of breeding of horses by Bedouin people in the Middle East
- Akhal-Teke → bred for war & racing in West-Central Asia
- Nomads of Mongolian Steppes have bred horses for several thousand years
- Medieval Europe → Specific breeding of horses for war
- North Africa & Middle East → Muslim warriors bred lighter horses for speed agility
Performance traits of racehorse
thoroughbred performance testing for:
pedigree, conformation, speed, skill, stamina and jump.
different types of horse races
FLAT: 900 - 3200m, start in stalls.
HURDLE: fences, 2800 - 4000m
STEEPLECHASE: fences, 3200 - 7200m.
(National hunt racing; bumper + hurdle + chase).
Traits of harness horses
TROTTERS: 1000 - 4000m with a sulky. (1:40).
PACING: American pacers, quicker than trotters.
Primary performance trait is speed is of trot.
Traits and selection criteria of sport horses
Traits of each discipline:
Dressage: gait!
SJ: jumping ability
3 day eventing,: “ultimate test”, endurance, scope, speed.
Long distance riding: endurance.
Selection criteria:
Conformation,
Gait,
Action,
Temperament,
Memory capacity.
Traits and Selection criteria of driving horses
international 3 day driving competitions;
1) presentation and driven dressage in an arena.
2) long distance marathon.
3) obstacle course in arena.
Traits: endurance, fitness, obedience.
Criteria: conformation, gait, draught power, speed.
