COMPARISON OF INBREEDING COEFFICIENTS IN POLISH HALFBRED AND HOLSTEIN STALLIONS

The aim of this study was to compare the inbreeding coefficients (F) in Polish Halfbred (PH) and Holstein (H) stallions in the area of their Associations’ activity in 2004 and 2012. A total of 184 PH and 209 H stallions covering in 2012 in Poland and the area of Holstein Horse Breeders Association were investigated. The calculated F values were compared depending on the stallion’s breed. In addition, all the stallions were assigned to one of the four groups depending on the F value. The mean F value for the PH stallions (0.22%) was significantly lower than that for the H stallions (0.89%). Most animals of both breeds (88.59% and 69.38%, respectively) were not inbred. The F values in 2004 and 2012 for the H stallions did not differ significantly, whereas those for the PH stallions were significantly higher in 2012 compared with 2004. It can be concluded that using a greater kinship level in order to increase horses’ performance value becomes popular.