Horse breeding - mating decisions by computer? Online lecture genomic selection

Searching for foal sires by computer – find out more about genomic selection

Scene 30.05.2026

from Jan Tönjes

Breeding based on computer recommendations is not yet commonplace. However, genomic selection is becoming more and more interesting for horse breeders. Genetic loci have been identified and inheritance priorities assessed on the basis of a broad range of data. There will be an online lecture in June that will shed light on the topic.

Genomic selection – this term is becoming increasingly important in modern horse breeding. It refers to a process in which gene loci are recognized and associated with certain traits. PD Dr. habil. Kathrin Friederike Stock, VIT Verden, explains in an online lecture.

Lots of data, one goal: breeding progress thanks to genomic selection

Genomic selection in sport horse breeding? No, the dream foal at the click of a mouse, possibly with the help of AI, is – still – a dream of the future. But genomic selection is on the rise.(We have published a detailed article on this topic here). 28 conformation, 19 movement and 12 jumping traits have already been genomically analyzed. This was based on the profiles of around 84,000 horses, which were described linearly.

PD Dr. habil. Kathrin Friederike Stock in an online lecture organized by the Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaft um das Pferd (GWP) under the motto “Exciting science and practice around the horse”.

At the same time, Thursday, June 11, 2026, 6.30 pm, the expert Prof. Dr. Gerald Schusser will also give a lecture on the horse’s ear.

Key data for registration for the online lecture

This virtual event is free of charge. Anyone wishing to support the GWP with a donation can do so via IBAN no. DE20 2605 0001 0053 3011 23. An annual membership of the GWP costs just 30 euros(you can join here).