Breed Composition Averages: Insights from Ancestry Testing

Welcome to our guide on breed compositions found in the Ancestry, Composition, and Breed Analysis Test! Understanding your horse's genetic makeup is like uncovering a story written in DNA. Here, we’ll break down the key elements of breed composition, helping you interpret your horse’s unique ancestry.

Genetic Composition Key

Etalon’s analysis uses seven distinct equine breed populations to determine ancestry. These groups, derived from global genetic studies, represent historically well-documented breeds with distinct genetic markers. Many modern breeds, like the American Quarter Horse and American Paint Horse, share ancestry, making precise classification more challenging.

By focusing on these seven well-studied populations, Etalon provides the most accurate insights into your horse’s genetic background. Let’s explore each of these key breed groups in more detail.

Breed Composition Overview

Etalon’s breed composition analysis categorizes horses into seven distinct genetic groups based on historical breeding records and genetic clustering. These groups help accurately trace your horse’s ancestry.

Thoroughbred

Thoroughbreds have a unique genetic signature due to centuries of selective breeding for racing. Originating in 17th–18th century England, they influenced many modern breeds, including stock horses and Warmbloods. Their well-documented lineage makes them an essential reference population in genetic analysis.

Iberian

This group includes Andalusians, Lusitanos, and related breeds from the Iberian Peninsula. With bloodlines dating back to the 18th century, their distinct genetic cluster reflects a long history of regional breeding.

Carriage Horse

Encompassing breeds like the Saddlebred and Standardbred, this group descends from Thoroughbred crosses developed in the Americas for racing and carriage driving. Many exhibit unique gaits due to selective breeding.

Exmoor

Exmoor ponies form their own genetic category due to centuries of isolation in the British Isles, which preserved their distinct genetic traits without outside influence.

North Sea

This group includes Norwegian Fjords, Icelandic horses, Shetlands, and North Swedish breeds. These ancient breeds developed through natural selection and controlled breeding, creating a well-defined genetic cluster.

Near East

Arabians, Akhal-Tekes, and Caspians make up this category, known for their speed, stamina, and resilience. With histories dating back thousands of years, these breeds have a well-established genetic identity.

European Heavy Horse

Including Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons, and others, these horses share ancestry from medieval war and draft horses. Their genetics reflect centuries of selective breeding for strength and endurance.

Composition Map

The Composition Map visually represents your horse’s genetic ancestry, linking each breed category to its historical origins. Think of it as a global family tree, offering a fascinating look at how your horse’s lineage connects to different regions of the world.

Understanding the PCA Chart

The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) chart visually represents your horse’s genetic heritage by comparing it to known breed populations. Each static dot represents an individual horse from the original study, allowing for a clear comparison within Etalon’s Ancestry database.

Breeds with well-documented histories, like the Clydesdale and Shetland Pony, form distinct genetic clusters due to centuries of separate development. Many modern breeds lack this depth of historical data, making genetic clustering less defined.

The scatter plot shows how your horse aligns with these reference populations. Closer groupings indicate shared ancestry, while more distant placements suggest genetic divergence. This visualization helps interpret your horse’s lineage and potential suitability for specific disciplines.

Genomic Inbreeding Coefficient Averages

Genomic inbreeding measures the degree of genetic similarity within a breed, reflecting how closely related an individual is to its ancestors. Breeds with long histories of selective breeding, such as Thoroughbreds and Arabians, tend to have higher inbreeding averages due to closed studbooks and limited genetic diversity. In contrast, breeds with more genetic variation, like Warmbloods or mixed-origin breeds, typically show lower inbreeding levels. Understanding these averages helps breeders make informed decisions to maintain genetic health and diversity within their breeding programs.

Breed Composition Averages

Below are the breed composition averages by breed, providing insight into the typical genetic makeup found within each category. These averages help illustrate how different breeds cluster based on historical lineage and genetic data. Scroll to learn more about how each breed group is represented in DNA results.

References

¹ Petersen, J. L., Mickelson, J. R., Cothran, E. G., Andersson, L. S., Axelsson, J., Bailey, E., Bannasch, D., Binns, M. M., Borges, A. S., Brama, P., Machado, C., Distl, O., Felicetti, M., Fox-Clipsham, L., Graves, K. T., Guérin, G., Haase, B., Hasegawa, T., Hemmann, K., . . . McCue, M. E. (2013). Genetic Diversity in the Modern Horse Illustrated from Genome-Wide SNP Data. PLOS ONE, 8(1), e54997. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0054997