Heritability of foot conformation and its relationship to sports performance in a Dutch Warmblood horse population.
Authors: Ducro B J, Bovenhuis H, Back W
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Foot Conformation and Performance in Warmblood Horses Uneven feet have become increasingly prevalent in Dutch Warmblood horses, affecting over 53% of the population examined, yet the genetic basis of this conformational trait and its actual impact on athletic performance remain poorly understood—a critical gap for studbook selection programmes aiming to balance performance gains with injury prevention. Ducro, Bovenhuis and Back linked conformation assessments from nearly 45,000 horses registered with the Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook to competition records from over 30,000 dressage and showjumping competitors between 1990 and 2002, enabling genetic correlation analysis between foot structure, overall conformation grades, and verified sporting outcomes. Heritability estimates for foot traits proved moderate (ranging from 0.16 for heel height to 0.27 for hoof shape), indicating that selection could meaningfully reduce uneven feet; however, the genetic correlation between asymmetrical feet and competition performance was weak and negative (−0.09 for dressage, −0.12 for showjumping), suggesting the condition carries less performance penalty than traditionally assumed. Notably, the rising prevalence of uneven feet over the 12-year study period was not driven by selection for improved sports performance, but possibly by indirect selection pressure on conformation traits—potentially a disproportionate relationship between withers height and neck length—which inadvertently favours uneven foot development. For equine professionals involved in breeding decisions or pre-purchase evaluation, this research demonstrates that systematic selection against uneven feet is genetically feasible without compromising athletic potential, warranting consideration in studbook criteria and individual selection strategies.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Uneven feet are heritable and can be effectively reduced through selective breeding programs without sacrificing competition performance
- •The weak negative genetic correlation with sports performance means horses with uneven feet can still perform well athletically, though there is slight disadvantage overall
- •Studbook selectors and breeders should monitor foot conformation separately from general conformation scoring, as selection on conformation grade alone may inadvertently increase uneven feet prevalence
Key Findings
- •Prevalence of uneven feet was 53% on average and increased from 4.5% in early recording years to over 8% from 2000 onwards
- •Heritability of foot conformation traits was moderate, ranging from 0.16 (heel height) to 0.27 (hoof shape)
- •Genetic correlation between uneven feet and sports performance was weak and negative: -0.09 with dressage and -0.12 with showjumping
- •Uneven feet prevalence is not directly caused by selection for better sports performance, and can be reduced through targeted selection without compromising athletic outcomes