The use of new technologies in horse selection
2018
Potočnik, Klemen
Most successful selection strategies are not in use in horse selection. This study describes the use of current strategies of selection in horse breeding and tries to answers why well known, scientifically proven selection strategies are still not implemented. In the era of genomic selection (GS) in animal breeding, decision making in horse selection, even classical breeding values (BV), are not fully taken advantage of. Breeding organizations (BO) which implement BVs as selection criteria in their breeding programs show great success in genetic gain. However, a horse‘s achievements and the popularity of its relatives still plays an important role in selection level. Genomic based selection tools in horse breeding have limitations in quantitative traits since it is difficult to establish reference population. Mendelian traits have been studied for several years, especially those related to horse health and functional longevity (long sport or race careers), yet there are still only a small number of validated mendelian traits offered for horses. The important benefit of GS is the prevention of related mating based on genomic data, in addition to pedigree data. The specialty in horse breeding is the use of cloning. From the point of view of genetic variability, cloning is useful in enabling geldings or non-genetically infertile animals to carry genes to next generations. In sport and race BOs, breeding stallions from foreign BOs are frequently used. In such cases a need for comparable BVs exists. These factors were the motivation behind the establishment of Interstallion 20 years ago. Due to difficulties in BO collaboration, Interstallion has not been as successful as planned. On the whole, it is expected that the sector of horse selection will need to change considerably in the future.
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