Heritability Estimates of Traits Assessed in Field Performance Tests of Polish Warmblood Mares

Background/objectives: Knowledge of the genetic background of evaluated traits has been the basis for genetic progress in every horse-breeding population and is essential for precise breeding and up-to-date decision-making. The study aimed to estimate the heritability coefficients for field performance traits in mares. Methods: The research was based on 1408 evaluations of mares conducted during the years 2002-2021 in 51 training centers in Poland. The preliminary analyses of the effects, significant for the investigated traits, were obtained using analysis of variance, and these additional data are also presented (SAS program, GLM and Mixed procedures). The final statistical model for the AI-REML procedure of the DMU program included a fixed effect of the training center-season-year of evaluation, a random effect of the animal, and a regression on age in years. Results: The heritability coefficients of the performance traits were moderate to high (0.32-0.60) with the SE within the range of 0.06-0.08. The highest heritability was estimated for the free jumping, trot, and overall results. The lowest heritability was achieved for the rideability. Conclusions: The level of heritability estimations allowed for the population progress in the evaluated traits.