Breeding Assessment Tour

WHAT IS AN ANCCE BREEDING ASSESSMENT? 

ANCCE is responsible for developing the Purebred Spanish Horse Breeding Program. The main objective of this program is to maintain the integrity of the breed and improve the morphology, conformation and functionality of PRE horses. 

To meet this objective, a series of performance tests are carried out, and horses are genetically assessed for each of the aptitudes contemplated in the Breeding Program. Conformation-Functional performance tests are conducted on horses as of three years of age using Linear Conformation Score methodology during performance tests at stud farms (Assessment for Basic Aptitude as Breeding Stock). Phenotypic data for conformation is collected on forms approved by the Association; these, in turn, are computerised for genetic-statistic processing, as well as other information regarding the horse including the assessor performing the test and other environmental factors. Furthermore, zoometric measurements (length, height, angles, perimeters, etc.) are collected, which allow the subsequent conformation characterisation of horses, as well as their functional capacity for dressage. These are then published as a part of the PRE horse pedigree papers in the studbook. 

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For more detailed information on the genetic assessment of the lineal morphological traits
CLICK HERE

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WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE BREEDING ASSESSMENT?​

The term "Assessment" highlights important concepts such as Analysis, Valuation, Review, and Opinion. Each of these elements is essential in the assessment of horses in breeding program. Additionally, assessment underscores the importance of having a well-defined breeding goal; without this goal, the process and its effectiveness may not achieve optimal results and its functionalities will fade. Presenting your horse for breeding assessment provides an opportunity to use the results to assist in decision making such as - Should you keep him as a stallion or geld him? Shall they be retained as breeding stock at the stud or sold? What type of horse would you like to breed depending on its performance? The veterinarian assessor is experienced in the breed and can offer honest valuable advice of your horses being presented, and although not there to answer your breeding goals, your assessment sheets will assist you in making those decisions and being able to compare them to other PRE horses when researching matings.​  At the conclusion of breeding assessment, you may receive praise and have a sense of happiness, and other times you may also receive good constructive criticism on what you might like to improve in the future.

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CAN ANY HORSE PARTICIPATE?

Only PRE horses with a ANCCE passport that are either female or entire are able to participate in the breeding evaluation program. Furthermore, below are the minimum requirements for a horse to be eligible to participate in the breeding assessment program: 

* Horses being presented must be three (3) years old at the time of assessment

* Stallions must be a minimum height at the withers of 154cm

* Mares must be a minimum height at the withers of 152cm

* Stallions MUST have both testicles at the time of assessment

* Horses presented must not have a fallen crest 

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PREPARATION FOR REVISION (BREEDING ASSESSMENT)

​Horses

- All participating horses should be well handled and be comfortable to be felt across the whole body. The assessor will use a measuring device to obtain a series of body measurements as well as a measuring stick to measure the height of the horse at the withers. They must be comfortable with the feeling of a stick being waved nearby and on their withers. 

- Horses should be able to run in hand at all gaits, walk, trot and canter. The more prepared the horse is at the time of assessment, the more confident they will be in their natural gaits and relaxed during assessment.

- Horses should be neatly presented to the assessor, clean and free of mud, naturally groomed and tidy. (It is NOT a requirement to shape the mane or tops of tails of females at assessment) although it maintains the lovely traditional PRE horse breed characteristic of female turnout.

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Owners/Handlers

- Each horse that is nominated must be registered have an ANCCE passport physically present with the horse at the time of assessment.

​- Ensure that you have made a booking for assessment for each horse nominated to be presented 

- All payments must be made at the time of booking. No payment = No assessment.

- All stallion owners and handlers should adhere to the Equestrian Australia (EA) Stallion safe practice guidelines. Available here. 

- Handlers should be dressed neatly with suitable footwear and display professional etiquette to the assessor.  

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Taking some time to prepare for the assessment will assist the handler and the horse to enhance their performance during the assessment. This in an opportunity to showcase your horse to an international ANCCE approved assessor and the work that you have put into your horses. 

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Horses that have passed their breeding assessment will be awarded a broad sash and a copy of the assessment to retain, and their passport filled in with the ANCCE BASIC APTO/APTA approved for breeding label. All resulting progeny from approved breeding parents are eligible to be registered in the PRE ANCCE studbook. To learn more on the registration process of an eligible foal/horse into the studbook read more here. ​

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Horses that have not passed their breeding assessment will be provided with feedback from the assessor along with their assessment sheet. A horse that has not passed their assessment on the day, may be presented an additional opportunity at the next revision depending on the nature of the results. ​​​​​​​