Our Projects

Scientific Advisory Committee

Welcome to the WBFSH Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) project page

An introduction to SAC

Scientific Advisory Committee

The Scientific Advisory Committee was established to foster and support information, sharing, collaboration, and cooperation among WBFSH member studbooks in the areas of linear profiling, breeding evaluations, and genomic selection. It provides direct access to scientific expertise, which is very beneficial to the organisation and its members.

We are delighted with the development of sophisticated efforts by many of our member studbooks, to identify the best possible genetics for the future of sport horse breeding.

To move these efforts to the next level of value to our breeders three areas have been identified where SAC can facilitate cooperation and support for WBFSH member studbooks:

    • Background
    • Get Involved
    • DNA Testing
    • Workshops & Webinars
    • Meet the team
      • SAC - Background

        In 2017 the WBFSH formed a committee for Collaborative Implementation of Genomic Applications in Sport Horse Breeding (CIGA) was set up to create a platform for scientists, evaluators and studbook representatives to come together to share their knowledge and experience and to set up initiatives and projects to support research in and implementation of scientific initiatives and advances to support sport horse breeding.

        To reflect the broader development of the Committee and its activities, which have grown over the years, it was recently renamed the WBFSH Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The committee works very closely with the newly created Department of Science.

        Find out more

      • SAC - How to get involved

        If a WBFSH member studbook needs support to implement linear profiling, breeding evaluations or genomic selection, SAC can connect you with an expert who can help you.

        Contact us

      • SAC - Useful DNA testing information

        Right now, parentage testing is done by an analysis of microsatellite markers (STR testing).

        In the future more studbooks will likely use genomic data from analyses of SNP markers on a routine basis. Interest in implementing genomic selection to improve performance, conformation and health traits is an important driver of extending SNP analyses, which can also be used for parentage testing.

        The transition from microsatellite to SNP markers in parentage testing is not trivial and will require some efforts. To help keep the cost for DNA analyses low and support efficient work towards large-scale SNP analyses in the future, our factsheet can give you useful information.

        Download Factsheet

      • SAC - Workshops & Events

        Every year, we are organising numerous workshops and events focused on linear profiling and genomic selection. You can find useful information about them in our different topic sections. Copies of presentations and information materials are available also via our Virtual Library.

        Webinar: “How to bring genomic development to horse breeding"

        In the future, new technologies and methods such as genomic selection based on SNP genotype data provide great opportunities. Today, most studbooks use microsatellite markers for parentage testing. Markers tested by SNP chips can also be used for parentage testing, but the transition from microsatellite to SNP markers will require some efforts. Different transition strategies exist and have allowed moving towards SNP-based parentage testing in the Netherlands, Germany, and France. The aim of this webinar is to share experiences from routine and advanced research with the practice and to learn from each other.

        • Video Thumbnail

          Watch Presentation

          Watch Webinar on Genomic Development in Horse Breeding

          Play Webinar

        • PDF Downloads

          Downloads

          Download webinar presentation PDF files

          Download Files

        • SAC - Meet the team

          Studbooks representatives:
          Chairman - Karina Christiansen (DWB)
          Anja Lüth (ZVCH)
          André Hahn (OLD)
          Arancha Rodrigues (ANCCE)
          Sonja Egan (HSI)

          Scientific representatives:
          Kathrin F. Stock (VIT and Representatives of the EAAP Horse Commission)
          Anne Ricard (French National Institute for Agricultural Research)
          Åsa Viklund (The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU)