Conformation traits and their genetic and phenotypic associations with health status in young Swedish warmblood riding horses

• Published in: Livestock science Vol. 163; pp. 12 - 25
• Main Authors: Jönsson, Lina, Näsholm, Anna, Roepstorff, Lars, Egenvall, Agneta, Dalin, Göran, Philipsson, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2014
• Subjects: adverse effects; animal models; Clinical finding; forelimbs; Genetic correlation; genetic improvement; genetic traits; genetic variation; Genetics and Breeding; Genetik och förädling; health status; Heritability; hock; Hoof; horses; Limb deviation; linear models; locomotion; neck; Orthopaedic health; phenotype; Swedish Warmblood; trotting; withers; PALP; Clinical finding; Orthopaedic health; Genetic correlation; H2; Heritability; LOCO; Limb deviation; HOOF; RHQT; SWB

Health in horses is thought to be influenced by conformation traits, including limb deviations. As few studies on the subject are available, the relevance of selecting for specific conformation traits to improve health is uncertain. The objective was to determine the genetic variation in conformatio...