Estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree-based relationship matrix

Literature provides indications that the personality and temperament of a horse are sufficiently genetically determined. This background was the impetus to continue collecting phenotypic information on the temperament in the South Tyrolean Haflinger horses, not only to have marketing tools but also...

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Main Authors: Thomas Zanon, Birgit Fuerst-Waltl, Sarah Gruber, Matthias Gauly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:Italian Journal of Animal Science
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2023.2247013
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author Thomas Zanon
Birgit Fuerst-Waltl
Sarah Gruber
Matthias Gauly
author_facet Thomas Zanon
Birgit Fuerst-Waltl
Sarah Gruber
Matthias Gauly
author_sort Thomas Zanon
collection DOAJ
description Literature provides indications that the personality and temperament of a horse are sufficiently genetically determined. This background was the impetus to continue collecting phenotypic information on the temperament in the South Tyrolean Haflinger horses, not only to have marketing tools but also to be able to estimate genetic parameters for a future genetic evaluation. The latter should open the possibility to include temperament traits in the breeding goal. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to consider for the very first-time phenotypic information from character testing for estimating genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses. For the present study, data from routine character testing of 210 South Tyrolean Haflinger mares between 2019 and 2021 were considered. A multivariate estimation of heritability (h2) and genetic correlations (r) was carried out for the criteria ‘Interest’, ‘Activity’ and ‘Excitement’. In addition, univariate and bivariate estimation runs were also carried out. The pedigree-based heritability for the behavioural trait Interest was lowest with 0.07 and a standard error of ±0.04. For the other two criteria, Activity and Excitement, h2 was 0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.21 ± 0.04, respectively. The genetic correlation between Interest and Activity and between Interest and Excitement was in both cases negative with −0.52 and −0.61, respectively while the genetic correlation between Excitement and Activity was positive (0.99). Results of the present study highlight the potential of considering temperament traits in breeding of Haflinger horses.
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spelling doaj-art-a0c7d2179b894b68b040844a4491b6f02025-08-20T03:31:11ZengTaylor & Francis GroupItalian Journal of Animal Science1594-40771828-051X2023-12-0122179880410.1080/1828051X.2023.22470132247013Estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree-based relationship matrixThomas Zanon0Birgit Fuerst-Waltl1Sarah Gruber2Matthias Gauly3Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of BolzanoInstitute of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesFaculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of BolzanoFaculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of BolzanoLiterature provides indications that the personality and temperament of a horse are sufficiently genetically determined. This background was the impetus to continue collecting phenotypic information on the temperament in the South Tyrolean Haflinger horses, not only to have marketing tools but also to be able to estimate genetic parameters for a future genetic evaluation. The latter should open the possibility to include temperament traits in the breeding goal. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to consider for the very first-time phenotypic information from character testing for estimating genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses. For the present study, data from routine character testing of 210 South Tyrolean Haflinger mares between 2019 and 2021 were considered. A multivariate estimation of heritability (h2) and genetic correlations (r) was carried out for the criteria ‘Interest’, ‘Activity’ and ‘Excitement’. In addition, univariate and bivariate estimation runs were also carried out. The pedigree-based heritability for the behavioural trait Interest was lowest with 0.07 and a standard error of ±0.04. For the other two criteria, Activity and Excitement, h2 was 0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.21 ± 0.04, respectively. The genetic correlation between Interest and Activity and between Interest and Excitement was in both cases negative with −0.52 and −0.61, respectively while the genetic correlation between Excitement and Activity was positive (0.99). Results of the present study highlight the potential of considering temperament traits in breeding of Haflinger horses.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2023.2247013temperamentbreedinghaflingerhorsecharacter testing
spellingShingle Thomas Zanon
Birgit Fuerst-Waltl
Sarah Gruber
Matthias Gauly
Estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree-based relationship matrix
Italian Journal of Animal Science
temperament
breeding
haflinger
horse
character testing
title Estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree-based relationship matrix
title_full Estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree-based relationship matrix
title_fullStr Estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree-based relationship matrix
title_full_unstemmed Estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree-based relationship matrix
title_short Estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in Haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree-based relationship matrix
title_sort estimation of the genetic parameters for temperament in haflinger horses based on the results of a character test using a pedigree based relationship matrix
topic temperament
breeding
haflinger
horse
character testing
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2023.2247013
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AT birgitfuerstwaltl estimationofthegeneticparametersfortemperamentinhaflingerhorsesbasedontheresultsofacharactertestusingapedigreebasedrelationshipmatrix
AT sarahgruber estimationofthegeneticparametersfortemperamentinhaflingerhorsesbasedontheresultsofacharactertestusingapedigreebasedrelationshipmatrix
AT matthiasgauly estimationofthegeneticparametersfortemperamentinhaflingerhorsesbasedontheresultsofacharactertestusingapedigreebasedrelationshipmatrix