EHS Estonian Horsebreeders Society 07-th Nov.2015 Riga. Ph.D. Heldur Peterson

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1 EHS Estonian Horsebreeders Society 07-th Nov.2015 Riga Ph.D. Heldur Peterson

2 In 1992, the Estonian Horse Breeders Society was restored as a legal successor to horse breeding societies founded in the 1920s. Logo of the Estonian Horse Breeders Society

3 EHS Until year 2000, the society included representatives of all breeds; in 2001 a separate Estonian Sport Horse Breeders Society was established. The core activities of EHS are: *maintaining stud books *horse performance testing and calculation of breeding value *management and coordination of breeding-related activities. The activities of the society are organised through branch societies: *Branch Society of Estonian (Native) Horse Breeders *Branch Society of Tori Horse Breeders *Branch Society of Estonian Heavy Draught Horse Breeders *Branch Society of Trakehner Horse Breeders *Branch Society of Arabian Horse Breeders.

4 In 2008, the society had 357 members that mainly breed Estonian, Tori, Estonian Heavy Draught and Trakehner breed horses. To a small extent, there are also breeders of Shetland ponies, English and Arabian Thoroughbreds, Hannover, Holsteiner and other breeds. In 2015 there are nearly 380 members in EHS. EHS Holsteini tõugu täkk Holsteiner stallion

5 EHS The number of horses is in Estonia nearly (in 2014), but the number was highest in 1927, when there were 229, 530 horses. There are in EHS in 2015 Estonian Native Horses 2427 Tori Horses 1247 Estonian Heavy Draught Horses 361 Trakehner 367 Arab 75

6 Horse Breeding History Horse Breeding For ancient Estonians, horses were the most important animals that were almost considered to be family members. Horses were highly valuable for transportation and fieldwork in peacetime as well as fast and strong in war. From the 2nd half of 20 th century, horses lost their old functions do the mechanisation of agriculture and development of transportation. Today, horses mainly offer a sporting opportunity, entertainment or therapeutic riding.

7 Distribution of holdings engaging in horse breeding by breeds Hobusekasvatusega tegelevate majandite jagunemine tõugude järgi aastal Estonian Draught Trakhener trakeen; 1,70% eesti raskeveo; 19,30% Distribution of holdings engaging in horse breeding by breed, 1979 Estonian eesti; 5,30% tori; 73,70% A new field was added in the 1970s vocational school and rural equestrianism and equestrian tourism. In 1981, 52 holdings had sport horses, 24 holdings were involved in competitive sports. The major equestrian centres were at: Viljandi Experimental State Farm, Luunja State Farm, Sommerlingi State Farm, Gagarini Vocational School of Agriculture, Kehtna Vocational School of Agriculture, Vinni Vocational School of Agriculture, Tartu State Farm.

8 Estonian Republic (new independent time), 135 Anniversary of the Tori Horsebreeding Station

9 Tori horse breeding - 9 historical periods: Estonian mares x Ardenne, Arabian purebred, Finnish, Norwegian Fjord transition to race type: Orlov, Anglo- Arabian, English Thoroughbred etc Norfolk Roadster ʼHetmanʼ in Sangaste and Tori ( ) * East Friesian; land reform in 1919; demand for all-purpose horses backcrossing of Tori Norfolk to Estonian Horse; lines of ʼHetmanʼ; TA ja TB demand for heavier horses (marshy soil); first Postier Bretons in 1937; WW collectivization (kolkhozy); decrease in Postier Breton bloodiness; new pulling records, TB and TA merge into T Equestrian clubs at state and collective farms; T mares x old Hannoverian stallions; T mares x Trakhener stallions

10 * Estonia regained independence; Estonian Horse Breeders Society established; new regulations and performance tests (e.g. Free jumping ability, rideability); English Thoroughbred and Holstein crosses in addition to those of Hannoverians and Trakheners; new Hannoverian stallions from Germany as a gift; ʼPremiumʼ jumping line, ʼHermelinʼ dressage; Estonia joined the EU. * 2004 New regulations to protect endangered horse breeds (sires shall be born in Estonia, dams shall be born before 1995); new breeding and conservation programmes.

15 The main purpose of horse evaluation in Estonia is estimation of the breeding value of horses. Certificates of matings and birth and other pedigree data as well as the horse passport are basic documents used. The breed is determined by the breed of the dam in Estonia (excluding crossbred sport and race horses). As a rule, horses are evaluated based on selection traits on a 10-point scale three times during their lifetime.

16 In the first stage, expression of the breed type, conformation/exterior (I part head, neck and body, II part limbs), measurements and movement characteristics are considered. In the second stage (3 years), work capacity/performance, and in the third stage the value of the offspring (8 in sires, 2 in dams) is evaluated.

17 1) Visual evaluation There are several criteria to evaluate when examining a horse s conformation: balance, structural correctness, way of going, muscling, and type. The evaluator(s) appraise the horse from the distance of 5-6 m, following the generalto-specific pattern. Conformation and breed/sex character (type) should be evaluated against a standard of excellence. Most breed associations establish a standard of excellence for their own breed. Geldings are typically not evaluated. The evaluator should palpate the skin for thickness, limbs and ligaments for calluses and other possible defects. Jaws can be palpated for width.

18 Horse's motion is assessed from all angles, including the front, side and rear The movement /way of travel/way of going/gait in walk and trot is evaluated, including the correctness of walk, length of stride, frequency and rate of the walk and trot, etc. The horse should walk and trot a m triangle. The ability to gallop and jump is evaluated as free jumping ability in young horses. In adult horses an independent test rider is used.

19 The following equipment is needed: an official measuring stick, a soft measuring tape, caliper, note pad and pencil. Typical measurements: a) Height at withers: measure from the ground to the highest point of the withers. Keep the tape taut and straight and perpendicular to the ground.

20 *b) Diagonal body length: measure diagonally from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock. c) Circumference at base: settle the tape just in front of the withers. Let it rest on the chest and curve comfortably around the base of the neck. d) Fore cannon midpoint circumference: measure around the cannon bone halfway between the knee and the ergot.

21 On breeding value of Tori Breed Horses in Estonia The most important qualities have been considered: general index of stallions, indexes of type, body, feet, pace, trot and free jump as well as average indexes of different horse breeds have been calculated. The indexes of stallions have been calculated according to the following formula: I = b 1 x (EL 1 - VG 1 )+ b 2 x (EL 2 - VG 2 )+...+b 6 x (EL 6 -VG 6 ), Where EL 1 estimate of horse in trait 1, VG 1 comparison value in trait 1, b 1 share of index for trait 1, EL 6 estimate of horse in trait 6, Share of index was calculated as follows: b 1 = relative share of index phenotypical standard deviation of trait Determination of relative share has been based on major qualities in horse-racing, according to which the relative share comprised: type 1, body 1, feet 1.5, pace 2, trot 2, free jump 2.5. The present paper focuses on the results of the experiments carried out using the horses of the Tori riding sport type Horse (T RSPH ). For Tori universal type Horse (T UNH ) we used extra another test+ (a tractive power test) and these horses are not in this investigation.

22 TYPES OF HIGHER NERVOUS ACTIVITY IN LOCAL HORSE BREEDS PRELIMINARY RESULTS Triin Lepik Heldur Peterson Mirjam Vallas

24 Types of higher nervous activity (THNA) Characteristics of nervous processes : Strength Balance Mobility Page 24

25 Types of higher nervous activity THNA in horses Levels of strength of the Types of higher nervous system activity nervous system Strong well-balanced Strong well- Strong Weak movable balanced inert unbalanced Outstanding ( + ) I + II + IIIA + (different variants of the nervous system strength) High I II IIIA, IIIB Insufficient ( - ) I - II - IIIB - (weak version of the strong type) Weak IV Pathologically weak IV - Page 25

26 Types of higher nervous activity Type of higher nervous activity strong well-balanced movable type (I) inert type (II) strong unbalanced type (III) weak type (IV) Temperament type sanguine phlegmatic choleric melancholic Page 26

27 Test site Page 27

28 Test day 4 1. Free choice; 2. Independent approach to the chosen trough (A) (2 times); 3. Feed to another trough (B); 4. 3 independent approaches; 5. Feed to another trough (A); 6. 3 independent approaches; 7. (continue if necessary). Page 28

29 Results Distribution of THNA Estonian Native Horses Tori Horses Estonian Heavy Draught Horses Crossbred horses Page 29

30 Results Effect of sire and damsire on the level of nervous system strength 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Elkar 598 E Lakmus T Poedinok T Wodevil T Outstanding strength High strength Insufficient strength Weak 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Aku 684 E Hiirik T Hüpik T Outstanding strength High strength Insufficient strength Weak Frequency of the level of NS strength of offspring of 4 sires (P 0.001) Frequency of the level of NS strength according to the data of 3 maternal grandsires (P 0.01) Page 30

31 Results Effect of gender on THNA Stallion Gelding Mare Distribution of THNA by gender Stallion /gelding Mare Page 31

32 Results Effect of age on THNA Distribution of THNA by age Page 32

33 Summary and conclusions THNA or at least the level of nervous system strength is inheritable. Horse gender and age have no impact on THNA. Strength of nervous system in Estonian Native Horses was expressed on the following levels: outstanding (25%), high (62.5%) and insufficient strength level (12.5%). A high percentage (42%) of horses with insufficient level of NS strength was observed in Tori Horse. A total of 75% of the Estonian Heavy Draught Horses under investigation had insufficient NS levels. A total of 50% of crossbred horses had a weak NS. Page 33

34 Recommendations THNA should be determined in breeding horses. Determination of THNA in breeding stallions should be obligatory. THNA should be determined before buying a horse. Estonian local breeds should be kept pure-bred. Page 34

36 Horse Passport in EHS

37 Year-book

38 Booklet about Estonian Native Horse in common with Estonian Native Conservation Society

39 Estonian Native Horse today Estonian Native Horse is an aboriginal breed coming back from islands and West-Estonia to saddle clubs for children and young people throughout Estonia. In recent years Estonian Native Horse is a popular horse for ponysport, the average size of Estonian Native Horse is 144 cm. The most important day for breeders is the young stallions and mares performance test every year in August. The total number of horses is in EHS studbook Including 950 breeding mares and 52 breeding stallions in foals were born in 2014.

40 Estonian Native Tostan from Pihtla Horsebreeding Station (the best stallion in 2015) and Estonian Native Rumba (the best young mare in 2015), owner Mari-Anna Marttila

41 Tori Horse today Tori Horse is a universal horse with extensive usage. Tori horse is of middle size (heigh cm), mostly chestnut colour, desired is dark chestnut with few white markings. Tori Horse has good characteristics and has great will and spirit to work. Tori Horses studbook is two parts since 2008: - Tori Horses breeding program (used component breeds Hannoverian, Holstein, Trakehner, English Throughbred), the horses have letters TB in UELN (Universal Equine Life Number)- Tori Horses breeding program with Tori Horse conservation program, population based on Tori breed mares and stallions included in the program, the horses have letters TA in UELN.

42 Tori Horse today The total number of horses is 1320, including 160 breeding mares in the breeding program (TB) and 15 breeding stallions in 2015, and foals born 23 in In Tori horses conservation program (TA) there are 230 breeding mares and 39 foals born in 2014.

43 Tori Horse Breed best stallion Opaal rider Andrus Kallaste

44 Estonian Heavy Draught Horse today Estonian Heavy Draught Horse belongs to the group of cold blooded horses. The population is a located mainly in North-East Estonia. They are mainly used in home gardens and only a few of them for work in the forests, also the new field of usage is hobby horses. Estonian Heavy Draught horse is popular among young breeders and every summer they organize the Heavy Draught Horse day, (2015 XXI HDH day). The total number of horses is 360, including 145 breeding mares and 13 breeding stallions. 29 foals were born in 2014.

45 Estonian Heavy draught Horses Novella, best mare from Aaviku farm in 2015, Breeder Hannes Kivili and Enn Rand

46 Estonian Heavy Draught Horses Estil and Extrim in driving - owner and driver Urmas Saks

47 Trakehner today Trakehner Horses are mainly originated from the Russian Trakehner horses. The biggest Trakehner Stud is Heimtali stud. Estonian Trakehnes have very good results in ridingsport. Mostly trakehner horses has sold all over Europe and some in America, best marketing way is to Finland. We have good teamwork with Trakehner societys, especially with German Trakehner Union, but also with breeders in Lithuania, Poland.

48 Trakehner today The total number of horses is nearly 360, including 80 breeding mares and 6 breeding stallions in About 20 foals are born in last every year.

49 Trakehner stallion Peron and Kairi Dräbtsinskaja

50 Arab The Arabian Horses studbook in Estonia got approved in 2009 and the total number of Arabian Horses in the studbook is 72. Since 1970 Estonians have imported Arabian horses, stallions in addition to breed, from Russia. The first of them were Posol ox and Põl ox. (Posol ox was used at the Estonian Native Horse) Arabian horses are used in Trakehner breed. Arabian horses branch society organises an Arabian horse day every year (2015-VII) and awards the best Arabian Horse in Estonia Best in Show title. About 2-7 Arabian foals are born in year.

51 Brahman ox

52 Thank you for attention!

What is an Irish Sport Horse? IRISH SPORT HORSE REGISTER

What is an Irish Sport Horse? Traditionally a cross between an Irish Draught and a thoroughbred The resultant offspring has the speed and stamina infused by the thoroughbred and the good temperament, soundness