Foal scores from the International Sporthorse Registry and Oldenburg Registry North America were used for statistical and genetic analysis. Scored traits include type and conformation (TC), athletic ability of movement (AM), overall development as related to age (OD), and total score (TS) calculated as a weighted average of TC, AM, and OD. Premium status (PS) was analyzed as a binary trait. Preliminary statistical analysis determined significant fixed effects of sex, year of birth, dam breed, and inspection period. Offspring of stallions with only one offspring in the dataset and non-warmblood sires were deleted. Non-warmblood or non-Thoroughbred dams were also removed. Variance components were estimated using ASReml methodology to obtain genetic parameters. Traits were moderately to highly heritable with heritabilities of 0.45, 0.47, 0.49, and 0.55 for TC, AM, OD, and TS, respectively. PS had a heritability of 0.32 on a binary scale and 0.51 when transformed to the normal scale. Genetic correlations between TC, AM, OD, and TS were all high and favorable, ranging from 0.80 to 0.99. Genetic correlations with PS were inestimable. Foal inspection scores are heritable and should respond to selection. Selection for improvement in one trait should result in improvement in all traits. If genetic parameters can be correlated to data obtained in older horses, incorporating foal scores in selection decisions could improve warmblood breeding programs. Utilizing foal inspection scores should be beneficial to breeding objectives of the International Sporthorse Registry and Oldenburg Registry North America. / Master of Science

The objectives of these two studies were to characterize normal growth and resultant changes in conformation and walk kinematics of warmblood foals. The first study quantified linear and angular conformation changes of 13 warmblood foals during the first 9 mo of growth. An objective photographic method of evaluating conformation was used to obtain all data. All linear measurements increased significantly over the investigated ages and growth rates were highest in the first 2 mo of growth. Total percentage of growth during the study was greatest for neck and back length. Distal limb growth was minimal over the investigated ages. Metacarpal growth slowed earlier than many other traits. Length of the metatarsus increased minimally during the studied ages with significant growth occurring only between 23 wk and post-weaning measurements. Increasing wither heights were positively associated with increases in scapula, humerus, radius, ilium, femur, tibia and metatarsal and metacarpal lengths. Angular conformation also changed significantly during growth. Trends in angular changes were generally less clear than those for linear variables. Scapula, femur and hock angles significantly increased and humerus angle decreased with age. Utilizing a plumb line from the hock upward, the distance of the hindlimb behind the body was quantified. The distance out behind decreased significantly between 1 and 15 wk. Distance out behind was positively correlated with tibia angle at all ages. The second study quantified linear and temporal kinematics of the walk in growing foals. Nine warmblood foals from the first study were filmed as they walked over a uniform concrete surface covered in 13mm thick rubber matting. Speed was controlled through the use of a uniform handler with a metronome. Trait means at ages 3, 11, 21 wk and post-weaning were compared. Length variables were standardized to percent of total stride length. Temporal variables were standardized to percent of stride duration. Stride length and duration increased significantly with age. Step lengths, stance duration and protraction and retraction durations did not change across ages. Over-stride decreased significantly with age, potentially due to increased back length in older foals. Linear distance between diagonal hooves during stance increased with age, and was negatively correlated to the decrease in over-stride. While older foals appeared to display a more regular, 4-beat walk rhythm, timing between lateral and diagonal footfalls remained significantly different at all ages. Both conformation and kinematics changed during growth. Characterizing conformational changes due to growth can allow a better understanding of how foal conformation and gait change during growth and may predict these traits in adults, thus allowing selection of top performance prospects at a younger age. / Master of Science

This thesis presents with analysis of significant blood-lines from Czech Warm-blooded horse Netolice breed. The purpose of this thesis is to identity the Netolice breed from the population of the Czech warm-blooded horses, analyze the breeding structure of the population of mares and present an overview of the exterior features, sport performance and present an evaluation of broodmares fertility. The data was taken from the Breeding documentation of the Czech Warm-blooded horse Union and from surviving records of breeding kept in stud Netolice. Data and results were processed in MS Excel. Indicators of 799 mares were observed and classified intro thirty families of Netolice. From the total number of listed mares in the statistical ensemble, only 401 are still alive. It is evident from results that The Netolice families still exist in the Czech Warm-blooded horse breeding as its important part. Between the mares born in Netolice stud and the mares born outside of it, statistically significant differences in the formation of the exterior were found, mainly in the index of cardinality and boniness.

The objective of this thesis is to compare methodologies of judging the exterior and performance of three-year-old (possibly older) mares of warmblood breeds in the Czech republic and in selected European horse breed associations. The mare exterior and performance assessment results can be used as reference material in breeding programmes. The subject of comparison is methodologies of assessing mares of Czech Warmblood, Holsteiner horse, Hanover horse, Oldenburg horse, SF, KWPN, and Austrian Warmblood. The attributes and properties being the subject of evaluation have been divided into certain groups and these groups have been compared based on their percentages made up of overall scores among individual breed associations. In the thesis, a set of 2197 mares of Czech Warmblood entered in the studbook and having passed performance tests in the period of 2005 ? 2012 is investigated. Fundamental statistic characteristics are determined such as a number, score average, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum. In order to evaluate possibilities for selection intensity, decile bands have been identified for selected attributes and properties - such as exterior in entering in the studbook, performance tests, trot, and canter of entries in the studbook. Inasmuch as the values determined in each decile considerably vary, especially in reference to judging the trot and canter mechanisms in entering mares in the studbook, it is necessary to weight the successfulness of using these indicators as selection criteria. The variability in values being determined and their levels that do not correspond to normal distribution, indicate lack of objectivity in assessing the horse movement mechanism in entering mares into the studbook. Average scores are for exterior = 7.50, performance = 7.70, walk = 7.49, and for trot = 7.50.

The thesis evaluates the performance testing system of Czech Warmblood stallions. Data acquired from basic stallion preformance test were analysed. Analysed data covered figures of 302 stallions from 9 test stations, taken in years 2007 to 2010. 12 traits of each stallion were analysed. Only basic statistic characteristics were used. Traits were compared by years, testing stations and especially by preferred sirs. The statistic evaluation of traits pointed the best sirs for breeding. Average marks and variability of offspring were taken into acount. Best sirs were Le Patron (x? = 7,84; variability = 2,5 %, Porter (x? = 7,73; variability = 3,0 %) Catango Z (x? = 7,86; variability = 4,4 %) and Przedswit XVI - 12 (x? = 7,85; variabiliy = 4,7 %). Suggestions for improvment of objectivity in performance testing system of Czech Warmblood were given on basis of evaluation component trait/overal score relations. Frequent usage of foreign stallions in Czech Warmblood breeding is common. It is importatnt, for breeders to be familiar with performance testing of foreign breeds. Therefore short description of stallion performence testing across Europe is included in thesis.

The goal of this work was to work up the survey about usage and fertility of stallions using in Czech warmblood breeding. All data originate from breeding evidence of Czech warmblood Breeders Association, Association of Horse Breeder´s Unions of the Czech Republic and Czech Equestrian Federation (years 2002 {--} 2008). It has been evaluated frequency of stallion using in each period, the numbers of fertilized mares and the numbers of foals borning after each stallions. Frequency of using the stallions was compared with achieved level their sports performance. The results of the numbers of borning foals in each years were in interval 917 {--} 1360 and gradually falls. In average 6 foals were born to one stallion. Natality was in interval 32,3 % - 74,4 %, 11 fertilized mares to one stallion in average. From 13 to 21 % stallions used in breeding have no offspring. It was made out that the using of stallions with hight performance grow up from 11,4% to 21,1 % by sports performance T and from 3 % to 7,1 % by sports performance TT. Detected rates from the analysis of stallions usage in breeding Leeds to conclusion, that the number of present stallions should be lower, but the frequency of usage should be higher.

This thesis is dealing with evaluation of a Czech Warmblood mare performance test system. Mare performance tests have become an important measure in the Czech Warmblood breed and most newly registered mares undergo them. The mare performance test does not only indicate the mare{\crq}s own disposition but it is also a valuable source of information on the sires of the mares taking part. The main reason for mare performance testing is to obtain a performance record to use as a tool in making breeding decisions. Within the tests the best sire of the mares are evaluated. This thesis examines the system of mare performance tests and compares it with systems of organizing mare performance tests in other European countries. In the conclusion all the achieved results are assessed and discussed.

The purpose of this thesis was to examine the growth and the growth curve of the Czech warmblooded horse stallions during rearing. Background materials were obtained based on its investigation of an examination horse rearing stable Czech warmblooded in Nový Dvůr (part of Municipal's stables in Pisek, sp). Stallions were measured in the years 2009 - 2010 in the age of 7 - 32 months. During this time it was measured 13 physical proportions, including four basic proportions ? height at withers (KVH) and height at withers measured by a tape (KVP), girth of a chest (OH) and girt of a shin (OHol). The growth curve and the behaviour of growth have been ascertained of the particular measurements. Then it was compared with literature. The greatest differences at results were observed in comparison with growth standards for height of withers. It was found that most of the measured stallions is classed in a growth zone + 1 (90.6% of cases). The remaining 9.4% of cases were included in the range + 2. The problem is also in the way, of definitiv of current standard, the current standard is determinated by one specific number (average value) and not spread within a certain range. The direct relationship with KVH also increased height at withers measured by tape. Based on the results we can conclude that the growth curve of the Czech warm-blooded stallions have changed and it should speculate about updating and modification of the standard for dispersion zone.

Das Ziel des Fütterungsversuches war es, zu ermitteln, wie sich das Wachstum von Reitpferdehengsten in der Aufzucht im Alter von 11 bis 27 Monaten, abhängig von der Energie- und Proteinversorgung darstellt. Die Tiere wurden in zwei Gruppen mit je sechs Tieren in Laufställen mit täglichem Auslauf gehalten. Die Aufwertung der Proteinversorgung im Sinne des Idealproteinkonzeptes erfolgte in der Supplement-gruppe über ein pelletiertes Ergänzungsfuttermittel in welchem hochwertige Proteinträger sowie kristalline Aminosäuren eingesetzt wurden. Die Trocken-substanzaufnahmen waren in allen Rationen in beiden Gruppen identisch. Gemäß Versuchsziel war die Protein- und Aminosäurenversorgung der einzige unterschiedliche Versuchsfaktor, die Energieaufnahme beider Gruppen war ausgeglichen. Effekte der optimierten Versorgung wurden durch Wachstums-, Gewebe- und Stoffwechselparameter über einen Zeitraum von 72 Wochen im Vergleich der Gruppen erhoben und ausgewertet. Die Zunahmen an Lebendmasse und in der Widerristhöhe waren über den gesamten Versuchsverlauf in der Supplementgruppe höher. Bei Betrachtung von kürzeren Zeiträumen waren signifikante, rationsabhängige Effekte in diesen, aber auch mittels anderer Wachstumsparameter, nachweisbar. Der Zuwachs im Muskelumfang war im entsprechenden Betrachtungszeitraum signifikant erhöht, die weiteren Gewebeparameter BIA und Röntgen lieferten dem Alter der Tiere entsprechende Ergebnisse. Im Parameter des Harnstoff-Stickstoff im Serum wurde an einem Zeitpunkt des Versuches im Mittel der Tiere der Supplementgruppe ein signifikant niedrigerer Wert ermittelt. An weiteren Zeitpunkten und auch bei der Indikatorsubstanz 1-Methyl-Histidin waren keine Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen nachweisbar. Eine höhere Absorption der unentbehrlichen Aminosäuren aus dem Ergänzungsfutter in der Supplementgruppe wurde durch die Analyse der freien Aminosäuren im Blut in mehreren Versuchsabschnitten nachgewiesen. Die verbesserte Proteinqualität in der Ration der Supplementgruppe beeinflusste das Wachstum der Tiere positiv. Eine Verwendung von hochwertigen Proteinträgern und kristallinen Aminosäuren gemäß Idealproteinkonzept konnte in Ergänzungs-futtermitteln für die Aufzucht von Pferden und für Zeiträume erhöhter Leistungsabforderungen empfohlen werden. Weiterer Forschungsbedarf zum Idealprotein Pferd für zukünftige Untersuchungen wurde im Bereich der knappen relativen Versorgungslage an Methionin, Histidin und den verzweigtkettigen Aminosäuren nachgewiesen.