Better hoof, better horse − genetic correlations between ability to race barefoot and performance in trotting horses
Authors: Berglund P., Andonov S., Strandberg E., Eriksson S.
Journal: animal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Swedish and Swedish-Norwegian Coldblooded trotters demonstrate meaningful genetic links between hoof soundness and racing performance, with the ability to race barefoot showing moderate-to-strong correlations (0.42–0.62) with key performance indicators including racing times, earnings and placings. Researchers analysed nearly 26,000 Standardbreds and over 4,000 Coldbloods across multiple decades, estimating genetic correlations between two barefoot traits (proportion of races run barefoot and probability of running barefoot in any given race) and established performance metrics using animal model methodology. A notable finding emerged: the proportion of barefoot races proved a more consistent predictor of overall performance than instantaneous barefoot status, with genetic correlations ranging from 0.42–0.50 in Standardbreds and 0.41–0.62 in Coldbloods. The practical implication is significant—selecting for improved barefoot racing capacity may simultaneously improve performance traits whilst reducing reliance on protective shoeing, potentially lowering hoof-related welfare concerns and racing costs. For breeding programmes, incorporating barefoot traits into genetic evaluation could accelerate gains in both soundness and athletic ability across trotter populations.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Horses with naturally stronger hooves capable of barefoot racing tend to have superior racing performance genetics; selecting for barefoot ability may simultaneously improve overall performance traits
- •The proportion of races run barefoot is a more genetically informative indicator than occasional barefoot racing ability, and could be incorporated into breeding evaluations for trotting breeds
- •Hoof quality enabling barefoot competition is a heritable trait with direct genetic links to racing success, making it a practical selection criterion for breeding programs
Key Findings
- •Genetic correlation between proportion of barefoot races and performance was 0.42-0.50 in Swedish Standardbreds and 0.41-0.62 in Swedish-Norwegian Coldblooded trotters
- •Proportion of barefoot races showed stronger genetic correlation with performance traits than barefoot status in both breeds
- •Heritability of barefoot ability ranged from 0.07-0.28, indicating low-to-moderate genetic influence
- •Barefoot traits could add genetic information beyond traditional performance measures for breeding selection