Novel Insights in Horse Breeding and Genetics

Dear Colleagues, 

The aim of horse breeding programs is to attain genetic improvement of the breeding stock, but its application is challenging because of some equine particularities, such as long generation interval, difficulties for the early prediction of breeding values, low heritability traits, and consequent low selection intensity. The selection objectives included in these programs, as in other species, have evolved together with traditional sport performance and conformation to other characters related to fertility, health, longevity, and behavior. 

Modeling horse performance using genetic–statistical approaches to design the best model to carry out the genetic assessment is difficult because of the inclusion of specific environmental factors (e.g., the rider–horse interaction), the existence of crossbreeds (non-additive effects) or the nature of the traits. Optimized selection strategies with appropriate methodology that may combine genealogical and genomic information in a selection or conservation scenario could help to address the specific issues of this species.

In this context, and to promote the application of novel research in this species, original manuscripts that address recent research and novel insights into horse breeding and genetics are invited for this Special Issue. 

Dr. Isabel Cervantes
Dr. María Dolores Gómez Ortiz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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