Inbreeding and reproductive performance in Standardbred horses

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Abstract
The relationship between inbreeding and both conception and foaling rates in Standardbred horses (trotters and pacers) was examined for 1194 breeding years. There was a statistically significant (P<0.05) trend for conception and foaling rates to decrease with increased inbreeding; however, this relationship accounted for less than 2 percent of the variation. Additionally, the relationship between reproductive performance and in breeding was not consistent between trotters and pacers. For trotters (F = 0.103) there was a trend for an increase in conception and foaling rates with increased inbreeding, while for pacers (F = 0.074), reproductive performance decreased with increased in breeding. Overall, inbreeding does not appear to be a significant factor influencing reproductive performance of Standardbred horses.