As part of the newly launched NAZV project “Use of Genomic Data in Horse Breeding” (QL25020022), the team from the Department of Genetics and Breeding at the Institute of Animal Science continues extensive collection of phenotypic data, focusing on body measurements for evaluating the conformation of warmblood horses.
In cooperation with the Association of Horse Breeders’ Unions of the Czech Republic (ASCHK) and the National Stud Písek, another round of field measurements and digital photography was carried out, this time including prominent sires active in the breeding of the Czech Warmblood. This valuable dataset will be further used for software analysis of conformation traits and for developing methodology for objective evaluation of horses using photographs.
The stud’s staff were also actively involved on-site, preparing the horses with great professionalism. Special thanks go to the stud’s director, Hana Stránská, MSc, PhD, for her exceptionally supportive approach and personal commitment during the presentation of the horses.
Tomáš Brýl from the Department of Documentation and Promotion ensured technically and visually precise photography and subsequent processing for research analysis. A significant contribution during the actual measuring of the horses was also made by our colleague, experienced horseman David Vacek, MSc. The team was led and the whole event organized by Jitka Kyselová, MSc, PhD, with active participation of Fatima Elzeinová, MSc and Zuzana Sztankóová, MSc, PhD. In addition to photography and body measurements, hair samples were also collected from the photographed horses for subsequent genomic analyses.
The trip also included supplementary photography of cold-blood mares with foals, carried out during basic training tests and evaluations of breeding mares, organized by ASCHK CR under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Miroslav Maršálek, MSc, CSc. and Blahoslav Políček, MSc.
This successful field activity once again confirms the importance of close cooperation between research, breeding practice, and professional institutions in horse breeding. The results will contribute to the development of precise and modern conformation evaluation, which forms the foundation of effective selection and breeding of sport and working horses in the Czech Republic.
