Genetic variation in competition traits at different ages and time periods and correlations with traits at field tests of 4-year-old Swedish Warmblood horses

For many years, the breeding value estimation for Swedish riding horses has been based on results from Riding Horse Quality Tests (RHQTs) of 4-year-olds only. Traits tested are conformation, gaits and jumping ability. An integrated index including competition results is under development to both get as reliable proofs as possible and increases the credibility of the indexes among breeders, trainers and riders. The objectives of this study were to investigate the suitability of competition data for use in genetic evaluations of horses and to examine how well young horse performance agrees with performance later in life. Competition results in dressage and show jumping for almost 40 000 horses from the beginning of the 1960s until 2006 were available. For RHQT data of 14 000 horses judged between 1988 and 2007 were used. Genetic parameters were estimated for accumulated competition results defined for different age groups (4 to 6 years of age, 4 to 9 years of age and lifetime), and for different birth year groups. Genetic correlations were estimated between results at RHQT and competitions with a multi-trait animal model. Heritabilities were higher for show jumping than dressage and increased with increasing age of the horse and amount of information. For dressage, heritabilities increased from 0.11 for the youngest group to 0.16 for lifetime results. For show jumping corresponding values increased from 0.24 to 0.28. Genetic correlations between competition results for the different age groups were highly positive (0.84 to 1.00), as were those between jumping traits at RHQT and competition results in show jumping (0.87 to 0.89). For dressage-related traits as 4-year-old and dressage competition results the estimated genetic correlations were between 0.47 and 0.77. We suggest that lifetime results from competitions should be integrated into the genetic evaluation system. However, genetic parameters showed that traits had changed during the over 35-year period covered due to the development of the sport, which needs to be considered in future genetic evaluations

Factor analysis of evaluated and linearly scored traits in Swedish Warmblood horses

Assessment protocols to describe the various aspects of conformation, gait and jumping traits on a linear scale were introduced at young horse tests for Swedish Warmblood horses in 2013. The traits scored on a linear scale are assumed to be less subjective and more easily compared across populations than the traditional evaluated traits that are scored relative to the breeding goal. However, the resulting number of traits is considerable, and several of the traits are correlated. The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between the different evaluated and linearly scored traits in Swedish Warmbloods using factor analysis. In total, 20,935 horses born 1996-2017 had information on evaluated traits, and 5450 of these also had linearly scored trait records assessed since 2014 when the protocol was updated. A factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed separately for evaluated and linearly scored traits using the Psych package in R. Height at withers was included in both analyses. A total of four factors for evaluated traits and 14 factors for linearly scored traits were kept for further analysis. Missing values for individual traits in horses with linearly scored trait records were imputed based on correlated traits before factor scores were calculated using factor loadings. Genetic parameters for, and correlations between, the resulting underlying factors were estimated using multiple-trait animal models in the BLUPF90 package. Heritability estimates were on a similar level as for the traits currently used in the genetic evaluation, ranging from 0.05 for the factor for linearly scored traits named L.behaviour (dominated by traits related to behaviour) to 0.59 for the factor for evaluated traits named E.size (dominated by height at withers and conformation). For both types of traits, separate factors were formed for jumping and gait traits, as well as for body size. High genetic correlations were estimated between such corresponding factors for evaluated traits and factors for linearly scored traits. In conclusion, factor analysis could be used to reduce the number of traits to be included in multiple-trait genetic evaluation or in genomic analysis for warmblood horses. It can also contribute to a better understanding of the interrelationships among the assessed traits and be useful to decide on subgroups of traits to be used in several multiple-trait evaluations on groups of original traits

Consequences of specialized breeding in the Swedish Warmblood horse population

In many European warmblood studbooks, clear specialization toward either jumping or dressage horses is evident. The Swedish Warmblood (SWB) is also undergoing such specialization, creating a possible need for separate breeding programs and a discipline-specific Young Horse Test (YHT). This study investigated how far specialization of the SWB breed has proceeded and the potential consequences. Individuals in a population of 122,054 SWB horses born between 1980 and 2020 were categorized according to pedigree as jumping (J), dressage (D), allround (AR), or thoroughbred (Th). Data on 8,713 J horses and 6,477 D horses assessed for eight traits in YHT 1999-2020 were used to estimate genetic parameters within and between J and D horses and between different periods. Future scenarios in which young horses are assessed for either jumping or dressage traits at YHT were also analyzed. More than 80% of horses born in 1980-1985 were found to be AR horses, while 92% of horses born in 2016-2020 belonged to a specialized category. The average relationship within J or D category was found to increase during the past decade, whereas the relationship between these categories decreased. Heritability estimates for gait traits were 0.42-0.56 for D horses and 0.25-0.38 for J horses. For jumping traits, heritability estimates were 0.17-0.26 for J horses and 0.10-0.18 for D horses. Genetic correlations between corresponding traits assessed in J and D horses were within the range 0.48-0.81, with a tendency to be lower in the late study period. In the future scenarios, heritability and genetic variance both decreased for traits that were not assessed in all horses, indicating that estimation of breeding value and genetic progress for these traits could be affected by a specialized YHT. However, ranking of sires based on estimated breeding values (EBVs) and accuracy of EBVs was only slightly altered for discipline-specific traits. With continued specialization in SWB, specialization of the YHT should thus be considered

Nya avelsindex ger hjälp vid hingstvalet

Strax före jul publicerade SWB nya avelsindex. Avelsindexen är ett bra verktyg i avelsarbetet och anger hur hingstar och ston förväntas förärva sig – alltså inte i första hand hur de själva kommer att prestera/har presterat. 14 hingstar får avelsindex för första gången 2015, några unga med många avkommor testade i sina första årgångar och några lite äldre som samlat på sig några nya avkommor för varje år

Performance of Swedish Warmblood fragile foal syndrome carriers and breeding prospects

Background Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS) is a monogenetic defect caused by a recessive lethal missense point mutation in the procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 1 gene (PLOD1, c.2032G>A). The majority of homozygous WFFS horses are aborted during gestation. Clinical signs of affected horses include fragile skin, skin and mucosa lacerations, hyperextension of the articulations, and hematomas. In spite of its harmful effect, a relatively high frequency of WFFS carriers has been found in Warmblood horses, suggesting a heterozygote advantage. Thus, in this study our aims were to: (1) estimate the frequency of WFFS carriers in the Swedish Warmblood breed (SWB), (2) estimate the effect of WFFS carrier genotype on performance traits in two SWB subpopulations bred for different disciplines, and (3) simulate the potential effects of balancing selection and different selection strategies on the frequency of carriers. Methods In total, 2288 SWB sport horses born between 1971 and 2020 were tested for the WFFS mutation and had estimated breeding values (EBV) for ten traditional evaluating and 50 linear descriptive traits. Results The frequency of WFFS carriers calculated from a pool of 511 randomly selected SWB horses born in 2017 was equal to 7.4% and ranged from 0.0 to 12.0% among the whole set of tested SWB horses, starting from 1971 till 2020. The effect of the WFFS carrier genotype was significant for several EBV mainly related to movements and dressage traits and especially for horses not bred for the show jumping discipline. Using simulation, we showed that balancing selection can maintain a recessive lethal allele in populations such as the SWB breed over generations and that the frequency is expected to slowly decrease in absence of balancing selection. Finally, we showed that selection against carrier sires can result in a more rapid decrease of the frequency of the mutant allele over time. Conclusion Further research is needed to confirm the apparent association between equine performance and the WFFS carrier genotype. Identification of such associations or new causative mutations for horse performance traits can serve as new tools in horse breeding to select for healthy, sustainable, and better performing horses

Performance of Swedish Warmblood fragile foal syndrome carriers and breeding prospects

Abstract Background: Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS) is a monogenetic defect caused by a recessive lethal missense point mutation in the procollagen‐lysine, 2‐oxoglutarate 5‐dioxygenase 1 gene (PLOD1, c.2032G>A). The majority of homozygous WFFS horses are aborted during gestation. Clinical signs of affected horses include fragile skin, skin and mucosa lacerations, hyperextension of the articulations, and hematomas. In spite of its harmful effect, a relatively high frequency of WFFS carriers has been found in Warmblood horses, suggesting a heterozygote advantage. Thus, in this study our aims were to: (1) estimate the frequency of WFFS carriers in the Swedish Warmblood breed (SWB), (2) estimate the effect of WFFS carrier genotype on performance traits in two SWB subpopulations bred for different disciplines, and (3) simulate the potential effects of balancing selection and different selection strategies on the frequency of carriers. Methods: In total, 2288 SWB sport horses born between 1971 and 2020 were tested for the WFFS mutation and had estimated breeding values (EBV) for ten traditional evaluating and 50 linear descriptive traits. Results: The frequency of WFFS carriers calculated from a pool of 511 randomly selected SWB horses born in 2017 was equal to 7.4% and ranged from 0.0 to 12.0% among the whole set of tested SWB horses, starting from 1971 till 2020. The effect of the WFFS carrier genotype was significant for several EBV mainly related to movements and dressage traits and especially for horses not bred for the show jumping discipline. Using simulation, we showed that balancing selection can maintain a recessive lethal allele in populations such as the SWB breed over generations and that the frequency is expected to slowly decrease in absence of balancing selection. Finally, we showed that selection against carrier sires can result in a more rapid decrease of the frequency of the mutant allele over time. Conclusion: Further research is needed to confirm the apparent association between equine performance and the WFFS carrier genotype. Identification of such associations or new causative mutations for horse performance traits can serve as new tools in horse breeding to select for healthy, sustainable, and better performing horses

Genetic evaluation of swedish warmblood horses

The main breeding objective for the Swedish Warmblood horse (SWB) is to produce competitive horses for show jumping or dressage. The aim of this thesis was to provide information to improve the breeding programme for SWB by investigating the usefulness of different sources of data for genetic evaluation and by studying the realised selection practices and genetic trends of the SWB population. Data from three information sources were used in the analyses: competitions (in show jumping and dressage), young-horse test for 3-year-olds (YHT) and riding horse quality test (RHQT) for 4-year-old horses. At YHT and RHQT the horses are subjectively scored for conformation, gaits and jumping ability. The moderate to high heritabilities and high genetic correlations between different traits showed that all three information sources could be integrated in the genetic evaluation with a multi-trait BLUP animal model. The main objective is to breed horses that can achieve good lifetime competition results, and results from YHT and RHQT provide early information of the horses. Multiple information sources allow many horses to be tested, leading to accurate breeding values (EBVs) and opportunities for high selection intensity. Competition and RHQT data go back to the early 1970’s and the traits have changed over time due to development of the sport, change in the population and breeding objective, and change in judging at RHQT. The analyses showed that all data can be used in the genetic evaluation to estimate reliable and unbiased EBVs. The genetic progress in both dressage and show jumping increased considerably in the mid 1980’s due to stronger selection of stallions at the improved stallion performance test in the late 1970’s, importation of superior stallions, introduction of young-horse testing at RHQT, and the beginning of predicting EBVs based on RHQT data with a BLUP animal model in 1986. The genetic trend of broodmares followed the same trend as non-selected horses, and the achieved genetic progress was primarily a result of stallion selection. In the future, emphasis should be put on more effective use of EBVs for selection of stallions and mares, both at young age and when progenies of stallions have been tested

Nationell Säkerhet, Genderiserad Osäkerhet : Feministiska Perspektiv på Militarism, Maskuliniteter & Säkerhet

I denna uppsats granskas militariserad säkerhet i relation till kvinnors osäkerhet. Uppsatsen genomsyras av ett genusperspektiv och berör skadliga sociala normer såsom våldsuttryck knutna till maskulinitetsideal, nationens betydelse, maskuliniseringen av den säkerhetspolitiska arenan och hur den Amerikanska armén använde sig av feminisering som förhörsmetod i det skandalomsusade Irakiska fängelset Abu Ghraib. Uppsatsen finner att militariserad säkerhet utgör ett hot mot kvinnors säkerhet i och med den könsmaktsordning som upprätthålls och förstärks i samband med konflikt och militär närvaro och som resulterar i specifikt våld riktat mot kvinnor och feminiserade grupper

Maktelitens nätverk : En kartläggning över formella och informella nätverk i Piteå

Inom svensk samhällsvetenskap återfinns få elitstudier. Däremot har det varit vanligare i andra länder som USA, och i en känd studie av det amerikanska samhället hävdas att makten innehavs av en liten enhetlig grupp med starka inbördes band. I Sverige har en maktutredning genomförts där man har kartlagt de finmaskiga nätverk som sammanbinder regeringen med myndigheter, riksdagsutskott, politiska partier, intresseorganisationer, företag etc. Resultatet visar att maktutövning sker idag inte minst genom personliga och informella kontakter. Även en sociologisk undersökning av eliten i Katrineholm visar på liknande resultat, att de informella kontakterna är mycket viktiga när det gäller maktutövning. De formella beslutsordningarna fungerar mer som ett kvitto på att allt har gått rätt till. I Sverige är tiotusentals inflytelserika svenskar medlemmar i olika former av slutna nätverk som Rotary, Lions, Odd Fellow, Frimurare och andra ordenssällskap. Eftersom det är eliten i samhället som träffas i dessa slutna nätverk får de tillgång till ett helt oöverträffat kontaktnät, vilket förstärker deras makt och inflytande. Syftet med denna undersökning var att studera och kartlägga de informella och formella nätverken hos makteliten i Piteå. Studien baserar sig på nätverkskartor som åskådliggör maktelitens informella och formella förbindelser, samt sju semistrukturerade intervjuer med strategiskt valda representanter ur makteliten. Med hjälp av nätverksteorier har analyser och tolkningar av de olika relationernas mönster genomförts. Främst genom att studera graden av centralitet och densitet, förekomsten av olika catnets, samt om relationerna är svag eller stark i sin karaktär. Slutsatser som dragits är att Piteå består av en liten enhetlig grupp med starka inbördes band. Politiken och näringslivet är inte så uppdelat som man kan förvänta sig, utan flera personer som sitter med makt och inflytande har en fot i varje läger. Dessutom har de flesta av Piteås maktelit en gemensam organsiation som knyter dem samman; det slutna ordenssällskapet Merkur

Åtgärdsvalsstudie Skolskjuts Norrbottens län

En åtgärdsvalsstudie (ÅVS) har genomförts i Norrbottens län för att tydliggöra hanteringen av skolskjutsfrågan. Trafikverket har beställt åtgärdsvalsstudien i syfte att, tillsammans med andra berörda aktörer, finna samsyn i processen att hantera skolskjutsrelaterade frågor och skapa ökad trafiksäkerhet och trygghet för de barn som varje dag åker skolskjuts till och från skolan med buss. Detta har genomförts mot bakgrunden av att Trafikverket under många år upplevt att just skolskjutsfrågan tenderar att skapa otydlighet inom såväl den egna organisationen som i kontakter med andra intressenter så som till exempel kommuner och bussentreprenörer. Denna otydlighet leder till långa ledtider och dålig service mot kunder, i detta fall oroliga föräldrar och deras barn som åker skolskjuts