EXPERIENCE FROM APPLICATION OF ANIMAL BREEDING THEORY IN NORDIC HORSEBREEDING

The current status of the application of animal breeding theory in the horse breeding schemes of the five Nordic countries is reviewed. Figu res showing the breeding population size of the main breeds are given and the horse breeding organizations of each country were introduced. The genetic research work on horses, with the main emphasis on quantit ative genetics, is reviewed, and practical application of genetic rese arch results and methodology is presented. Advanced application of the animal breeding theory is found in the breeding of trotters, warmbloo d riding horses and Icelandic toelters. The need for reorganization of the breeding plans in many other horse breeds is emphasized.