Phenotypic relationship between test results of Swedish Warmblood horses as 4-year-olds and longevity

The relationship between longevity and different traits scored in the Swedi sh Riding Horse Quality Test (RHQT) was studied to evaluate their use as pr edictors of survival. Data comprised 1815 Warmblood horses born between 196 9 and 1982 that had participated in the RHQT as 4-year-olds. Survival infor mation was obtained via a questionnaire sent to owners of horses that had p articipated in the RHQT between 1973 and 1986. All phenotypic values of tra its scored at 4 years of age were adjusted for the effect of place/year (ev ent). Survival analysis was performed taking into account censoring. Traits having significant effects on longevity were: conformation, legs (included in conformation), orthopaedic status, jumping ability, and the horses' com bined classification score for dressage and jumping talents, respectively. Orthopaedic health had the greatest influence on longevity, and demonstrate d the importance of judging health traits in young sports horses. The resul ts of this study confirmed that there is a significant phenotypic relations hip between many of the RHQT traits and longevity, and thus the possibility of using them as predictors of survival. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.