In the breeding program for the Friesian horse the breeding goal comprises exterior, sport aptitude. character and health. These are composite traits which consists of different judged are measured traits.
The assessment of the exterior plays a major role in the breeding of Friesian horses. The conformation is judged in all age categories, from foals to older horses. Exterior assessment is the basis of the studbook registration of mares, is decisive for the priming and awarding of registers and predicates and is an important part of the stallion selection. Judging and selecting for conformation serves the following components in the breeding goal:
Breed characteristics: the assessment of a horse's breed characteristics takes place during the exterior inspection.
Sport aptitude: exterior characteristics provide information about a horse's sport aptitude. The basic gaits, assessed at the exterior inspection, are important for a sport horse. In addition, a horse is assessed for (with regard to the sport) functional characteristics, especially construction.
Durability: various exterior characteristics (construction and legs) provide information about a horse's durability. The conformation assessment consists of describing 22 linear characteristics and rating 5 main characteristics. The evaluation of the 5 main characteristics (breed type, conformation, legs, walk and trot) determines the ranking of a horse and the related register.
The character can be broadly divided into two aspects:
Work ethic: this is related to commitment, perseverance and willingness to carry out what is requested.
Ease of use: this is related to honesty, reliability, etc. of the horse.
Collecting and selecting for health characteristics is developing rapidly. In the coming years, health characteristics will play a greater role in breeding policy.
Globally, the health characteristics can be divided into:
Vitality (sustainability and maturity)
Fertility (stallions and mares)
Disease resistance
Hereditary abnormalities
Health traits are partly related to inbreeding. A two-track policy is being pursued with regard to health characteristics. On the one hand, selection is made for these characteristics and, on the other hand, the breeding policy is aimed at reducing inbreeding. Characteristics that are now included in the selection are:
Category | Feature |
Fertility | Sperm quality |
Hereditary abnormalities | Hydrocephalus |
| Dwarfism |
X-ray examination | OC/OCD |
| Hoof pulley |
| Ringhoe |
| Hoof cartilage ossification |
| Extensor process |
Other | Cornage |