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Heritability Estimates of Traits Assessed in Field Performance Tests of Polish Warmblood Mares
Background/objectives: Knowledge of the genetic background of evaluated traits has been the basis for genetic progress in every horse-breeding population and is essential for precise breeding and up-to-date decision-making. The study aimed to estimate the heritability coefficients for field performance traits in mares. Methods: The research was based on 1408 evaluations of mares conducted during the years 2002–2021 in 51 training centers in Poland. The preliminary analyses of the effects, significant for the investigated traits, were obtained using analysis of variance, and these additional data are also presented (SAS program, GLM and Mixed procedures). The final statistical model for the AI-REML procedure of the DMU program included a fixed effect of the training center-season-year of evaluation, a random effect of the animal, and a regression on age in years. Results: The heritability coefficients of the performance traits were moderate to high (0.32–0.60) with the SE within the range of 0.06–0.08. The highest heritability was estimated for the free jumping, trot, and overall results. The lowest heritability was achieved for the rideability. Conclusions: The level of heritability estimations allowed for the population progress in the evaluated traits.
Comparison of the training and gait parameters of sport and leisure warmblood horses using the Seaver device
Carnivora consists of two large groups, namely Feliformia and Caniformia. These two large groups of animals clearly differ from each other morphologically and behaviourally. They are primarily predators whose hunting habits have led to the development of specific appearance traits. The locomotor apparatus, which is a key system in the hunting process, is controlled by the nervous system. The part responsible for the thoracic limb is the brachial plexus (PB). As indicated in domestic mammals, the structure of the PB has a general pattern that is subject to modifications depending on the species. Among Carnivora, there is similarity in PB structure, but crucial differences are also present. In this article, the ventral branches of the spinal nerves, nerve trunks, nerve cords and peripheral nerves are discussed along with their branches in the arm and antebrachium. The main aim of this paper is to demonstrate the structure of the brachial plexus specific to Carnivora and to distinguish the modifications that occur in this group of animals. Due to the high phylogenetic diversity of the species, the plexus structure was analysed against the current taxonomy of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.