Testing young Swedish riding horses for sport and for genetic evaluations

In order to get information on young horses to be selected for sport and for genetic evaluations according to more specialized sport breeding objectives, a system for testing Swedish Warmblood horses has been set up. A one day field test for 4-year old riding horses of both sexes was introduced in 1973. The test includes assessment of health, conformation, gaits under rider, jumping ability and temperament. To date nearly 17,000 horses have been tested. The information is used for genetic evaluations based on a BLUP Animal model, which was adopted in 1986. Genetic analyses show moderate heritabilities (0.15-0.35) for conformation and performance traits, and high genetic correlations (0.7-0.9) with competition results at mature age. Based on the experiences of this test the performance tests for stallions were modernized and expanded during the 1980-ies. A simplified one day performance field test for 3-year old horses was developed in the late 1990-ies. Today about half of all young horses are tested at either 3 or 4 years of age. Analyses show that large genetic progress has been achieved. Present activities aim at integrating all sport horse information into the genetic evaluations.