Status quo of the personality trait evaluation in horse breeding: Judges' assessment of the situation and strategies for improvement

An exploration of stakeholder perceptions to inform the development of an evidence-based classification system in para dressage

In dressage, horse-rider combinations must demonstrate harmony whilst performing a test of gaits and movements, scored by judge(s) using predetermined criteria. The para dressage governing body is working towards compliance with the International Paralympic Committee's mandate for evidence-based classification, which requires a comprehensive understanding of key performance determinants. This study aimed to explore stakeholder perceptions surrounding the key determinants of, and impact of impairment on, para dressage performance. Semi-structured interviews with 30 para dressage stakeholders (athletes, classifiers, judges, coach) were analysed using the Framework method. Themes relating to the equine and human athlete were associated with overall dressage performance and discussed within the context of impairment and horse-rider partnership. Key performance determinants were summarised as the athlete's ability to maintain dynamic postural control for absorbing the horse's movement and coordinating leg, hand, and seat aids, which directly influence the horse's quality and accuracy of movements during dressage. Thus, muscular coordination, joint mobility that influences rider posture, and personality traits that influence the horse-rider partnership were considered performance determinants. These themes will inform the development of an evidence-based classification system, through the establishment of standardised, sport-specific performance measures for assessing the relationship between impairment and activity limitation in para dressage.

Brazilian Sport Horse: genetic parameters for approval of Brasileiro de Hipismo stallions

The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic parameters for subjective scores given at the Brazilian Sport Horse (BSH) Stallion Approval by estimating heritability (h²) for morphological, gait, and jumping traits and genetic correlations (γ_g) among the functional ones and by verifying selection feasibility. The analysis included 1179 complete evaluations from 294 horses, by 4.26 ± 0.96 judges. Each trait was evaluated using mixed models in SAS® v9.2, considering the individual as a random effect. Variance components and genetic parameters were obtained by single and two-trait animal models in a derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood analysis. Since many jumping traits were not described in Breed Regulation, mixed model results were used to enlighten the criteria adopted in the assignment of scores. Balanced bodies and conformations that favor collection were preferred by judges and presented moderate heritabilities. Additive variation was found for most jumping traits, with heritability equal to 0.74 (se = 0.04) for overall jump, and estimates for the separate aspects of the jump movement ranging from near null to 0.43 (se = 0.07) for temperament. Morphological scores had little effect over gait and jump scores while trot may be indicative of some additive value for jump distance and canter for hind limb mechanics. Conformation evaluations of separate body regions presented heritability estimates similar to previous studies and may provide more informative breeding values.

Alternatives to conventional evaluation of rideability in horse performance tests: suitability of rein tension and behavioural parameters

Rideability, i.e. the ease and comfort with which a horse can be ridden, is considered to be one of the most important traits in riding horses. However, at present rideability is evaluated rather subjectively in breeding horse performance tests. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role horse behaviour as well as degree and quality of rein tension might play in judges’ evaluation of horses’ rideability. Mares (n = 33) and stallions (n = 13) from two different mare- and one stallion-testing station were observed twice during their performance test dressage training. During these rides, rein tension was measured continuously, and frequency of behaviour patterns such as head-tossing, tail swishing, and snorting was recorded. Rein tension parameters showed reasonable repeatabilities within horse-rider pairs (e.g. mean rein tension: r² = 0.61±0.11; variance of rein tension: r² = 0.52±0.14). Regression analysis revealed that a larger proportion of variance in rideability scores could be explained by maximum (17%), mean (16%) and variance (15%) of rein tension compared to horses’ or riders’ behavioural parameters (tail-swishing: 5% and rider’s use of hands: 5%, respectively). According to mixed model analysis, rideability scores dropped (all P<0.05) with increasing mean, maximum and variability in rein tension (e.g. −0.37±0.14 scores per additional 10 Newton in mean tension). However, mean rein tension differed between testing stations (P<0.0001) ranging between 9.1±1.6 N in one station and 21.7±1.3 N in another station. These results indicate that quantity and consistency of rein tension is either directly or indirectly an important factor for judges to derive rideability scores. Given the importance of rein tension parameters to both rider comfort and horse welfare, potentially, measurements of rein tension along with behaviour observations assessing the quality of rein contact (e.g. distinguishing a light contact from attempts to evade contact) might be used to make the assessment of rideability more impartial.