Genetic Influence on Jumping Ability in Horses

A study in Germany has indicated that jumping ability in horses has some heritable aspects.

Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover analyzed DNA from 115 stallions at Germany’s National State stud facility. Using six stretches of DNA that are known to be related to athletic performance, they correlated each stallion’s jumping in show-jumping competitions with these quantitative trait locations.

Results suggested that the genes that control muscle structure, development, and metabolism are important in elite performance.