Genetic parameters and trends of morphometric and dynamic characteristics and competition ratings in the Mangalarga horse breed

• Grant number: 24/14293-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Genetics and Improvement of Domestic Animals
• Principal Investigator: Josineudson Augusto Ii de Vasconcelos Silva
• Grantee: Gustavo Henrique Alberto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study is to estimate the genetic parameters, correlations, and trends of morphometric and dynamic traits in the Mangalarga horse breed. Various databases will be analyzed, including a file of scores and measurements from the definitive registry, containing 1,346,049 scores for morphometric and dynamic traits, obtained between 1977 and 2019, and belonging to 65,101 animals; an annual rankings file with 20,467 scores from the years 2002 to 2023; and a pedigree file with 215,441 animals born between 1925 and 2021. The morphometric traits include withers height, cannon perimeter, and thoracic perimeter, while the dynamic traits include displacement, dynamic postures, canter, and comfort. In the annual classification, four groups will be evaluated: ridden mare and gaited mare, ridden stallion and gaited stallion. Contemporary groups will be determined based on the systematic effects of breeder, year, season of birth, and sex, and will use the fixed effect of birth origin (natural or artificial reproduction) and the random additive genetic and residual effects. Estimates of (co)variance components will be obtained using univariate and bivariate animal models, executed via AIREML. Subsequently, genetic values and trends for the analyzed traits will be obtained. The results will identify trait variability and provide crucial information to support the association, breeders, owners, trainers, and technicians in designing genetic improvement programs, offering previously unknown insights. (AU)