Breeding Value Estimation
STALLIONS
Estimation of a stallion’s potential as a sire
Every year, in order to estimate a stallion’s potential as a sire, the results of the current breeding value evaluation are published.
At the end of every breeding year each breeder is issued his breeding stock’s breeding values (stallions and mares) along with the Activated Breeding Stock Report.
The breeding value provides information about the genetic predisposition of a horse, which cannot be seen directly in the observed performance. In the breeding value estimation, environmental influences such as the age of the horse, the quality of the rider and the training are separated from the genetic predisposition. The accuracy of the breeding value estimation provides information about the certainty of the breeding value and is expressed as a percentage.
STALLIONS
Assessment of a stallion’s hereditary potential
To assess a stallion’s hereditary potential, the results of the current breeding value estimation are published annually.
At the end of each breeding year, every breeder receives the breeding values for their breeding stock (stallions and mares) along with the herd report.
The breeding value provides information about a horse’s genetic predisposition, which cannot be directly discerned from observed performance. In breeding value estimation, environmental factors such as the horse’s age, the quality of the rider and the training regime are separated from the genetic predisposition. The accuracy of the breeding value estimation indicates the reliability of the breeding value and is expressed as a percentage.
FN Estimation of Breeding Values
On the basis of all available competition sport results, the computer centre in Verden (vit) carries out an annual breeding value estimation for dressage and jumping predisposition of horses on behalf of the German Equestrian Federation (FN).
Until 2015 the breeding values were estimated in an integrated model, i.e. all information (results from the stallion performance test, the SLP and from young horse competitions) were combined with the results of the competition sport (class A to class S) to one result (breeding value).
As of 2016, the breeding value estimation for competition sport competitions will be carried out independently of the tests for young horses. The sources of information are divided into two areas: Young horse results (HLP, SLP and results from basic tests in competition sport) and competition sport results (here all national rankings of competition sport from class A to class S are included).
In 2019, a breeding value estimation based on national and international competition sport data of German horses was carried out for the first time. The trait the highest level in competion (HEK) in each of the disciplines dressage and jumping.
Further information can be found on the website of the FN
