The breeding program of the Purebred Menorca Horse has been working since 2008. It includes a set of actions guided to preserve and select the breed. Among these, there is a genetic test of the animals related to the merits won for each of the selection lines defined.
The genetic evaluation is a set of operations tested on the population in order to assess the output and the full registration of the available genealogy for the breed. It allows to get the individual genetic value for the analysed traits and their precision. This genetic assessment allows to classify the animals according to their genetic merits in three official categories (recommended youth stud, stud improver, elite stud) in order to select the best animals as primogenitors for the following generations.
The information obtained by the genetic evaluation is annually published on a public stud catalogue and accessible for everybody. It has a males and females list of possible studs of the breed that provides genetic and productive data for every animal. It guides the breeders about the results that can be obtained on its descendants.
This document takes part of the Program of the Breeding Dissemination and its content changes when new animals are evaluated or the data is being completed or extended. Moreover, a Stud Catalogue provides security and precision of the value of the animals used in the stud farms according to concrete and objective selection criteria. It adds value to the owner and breeder of the specimen that has the genetic category and revalues the animals in the stud farm.
As every year, the Breeders and Owners Association of Menorca Horses has been working with the staff of the MERAGEM Investigation Group (PAI AGR-158 and AGR-273) to edit and divulge the Breed Stud Catalogue, done with the information compiled until the end of the last year. New this year the Purebred Menorca Stud Catalogue 2014 includes the animals with genetic category for the Classic and Menorcan Dressage disciplines together.
Moreover, it comprises an interesting information from the point of view of the breed’s preservation. Clicking on the following link you can access to the ARCA web page (subordinated to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nourishment and Environment) where the Purebred Menorca Stud Catalogue 2014 is divulged.
The edition of this document has been possible thanks to the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nourishment and Environment and the Economy, Environment and Hunting Department of the Menorca Island Council. It is hoped the information it contains can help breeders to choose the matings for the next period.
