Geometric morphometry as a new method of differentiation of intrabreed types in horse breeding

Assessment of type severity and exterior correctness is a necessary breeding measure in breeding work with breeds. Traditionally assessed features demonstrate subjectivism. The assessment of the type severity and the exterior correctness was initially based on the opinion of experts on whether the animal corresponds to a certain type of breed or not. The new method of geometric morphometry, based on comparing objects by their shape without considering differences in size, is of undoubted interest for research aimed at studying the physique features of horses of various intrabreed and breeder types. The key task of the geometric morphometry method is to evaluate the distinctive features of objects in shape, excluding the influence of their differences in size. It is based on the concept of a multidimensional space of forms. The article presents the results of testing the application of the geometric morphometry method for the differentiation of intrabreed horse types of purebred Arabian and performance horse breeds. It is revealed that geometric morphometry within the framework of a theoretical approach can be used as an additional tool to traditional methods of assessing the phenotypic characteristics of horses of various intrabreed types

Digitalization - mainstream in optimizing the solution of breeding problems

In the Strategy of Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation, technical and technological modernization of all sectors of the national economy is defined as a strategic condition for the effective development of the Russian economy. Along with other branches of animal husbandry, horse breeding is also subject to modernization, especially in terms of optimizing the solution of breeding problems. The assessment of typicality and conformation becomes extremely important for those breeds where breeding work has been focused on maintaining an authentic type of constitution for a long time. The purpose of the research was to analyze alternative methods for assessing the conformation of horses of different breeds and productivity directions, to develop a method for photographing animals with subsequent image processing using digital technologies. The article discusses the actual problem of the subjectivity of horse conformation evaluation. It has been determined that obtaining sufficiently reliable data is possible both from a photograph taken with a camera with a long-focus lens and using a smartphone camera. Significant conformation differences have been established between the original and Russian populations of Shetland ponies. The expediency of using an innovative assessment method that meets the modern needs of horse breeding was shown