Effect of paragenetic factors on race time in a small population of trotters

Abstract

Based on the information from the Trotting Association of Serbia, we analyzed the effect of paragenetic factors on the race times of trotters born between 1995 and 2005. Data consisted of 3435 observations of 141 trotters. The fixed effects of sex, racetrack, season, age, and distance were used to generate a linear regression model. All the observed factors had a highly significant influence on race times. On average, stallions, compared to mares and geldings, had statistically significantly faster race times (P < 0.01), while there was also a statistically significant difference between mares and the slower geldings (P < 0.05). Race horses produced their best results in the summer season (May, June, July, and August). The race times of trotters decreased as the age of the horses increased, i.e. between age and race time, there was a statistically significant negative correlation, while between distance and race time there was a statistically significant positive correlation. These results will aid in decision making about which fixed factors should be included in estimation of breeding values, even when the number of horses in the gene pool is relatively small. Incorporation of such data should enable better selection of trotting horses for breeding purposes, as it would be based on measured performance criteria. © TÜBITAK.