Parâmetros e tendências genéticas para características morfofuncionais em equinos da raça crioula participantes da competição freio de ouro

Abstract

The Crioula horse breed is considered as a symbol of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and has considerable economic importance for the State. Originating from the Andalusian breed is considered an extremely docile and multifunctional animal, used in activities with livestock and in sport activities like polo, races and other activities. However, little is known about breeding programs in this breed. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic trend and the heritability coefficients for the biometric and morphofunctional characteristics, height of the withers (AC), thoracic perimeter (PT), circumference of cannon bone (CC), morphology (MOR), gait proof (AND), figure proof (FIG), turns on legs and to sliding stop proof (VSPESB), separate cattle proof (MAN) and field proof (CAM), as well as the genetic correlation between them, for a population of Crioula horse breed. Informations from 350 animals (170 males and 180 females), born between the years 1989 and 2011, participants of the Freio de Ouro (golden brake) competition in the years 1998-2015 were used. To estimate the components of (co)variance an animal model and the methodology of Bayesian Inference using the Gibbs sampler method were used. The heritability coefficients for AC, PT, CC, MOR, AND, FIG, VSPESB, MAN and CAM were 0.42, 0.39, 0.55, 0.40, 0.37, 0.25, 0, 33, 0.38, and 0.17, respectively and suggest that is possible to obtain genetic gains through phenotypic selection for the following traits: AC, PT, CC, MOR, AND, VSPESB and MAN. The genetic correlation coefficients estimated ranged from -0.76 (MOR and MAN) to 0.91 (AC and CC). The negative correlation between morphology and high hose suggest that special attention must be pay at the selection process because to improve of one can promote deterioration of the other. The estimated genetic trends practically null for the biometric and morphofunctional traits studied, suggest that the genetic gain was irrelevant over the years.