Inbreeding occurs when two horses with common ancestors are combined. The closer the relationship, the higher the inbreeding coefficient. A limited degree of relatedness exists in every population, but excessive inbreeding poses risks to the health, fertility, and longevity of horses. A too narrow genetic base can lead to:

  • an increased likelihood of passing on hereditary defects;
  • reduced vitality and sporting performance;
  • decreased genetic diversity within the population.

For this reason, it is advisable in breeding to aim for sufficient genetic diversity. The KWPN supports breeders with an online tool that provides insight into inbreeding and relatedness percentages of potential combinations.

Inbreeding in stallion selection

Within the stallion selection process, inbreeding and relatedness percentages are taken into account as part of the overall evaluation. A higher or lower degree of relatedness to the population can contribute either positively or negatively to the assessment, in the context of population development and genetic diversity.

Inbreeding in mare selection

For mares, the inbreeding or relatedness percentage in itself does not affect the awarding of predicates or studbook entry; predicates are granted based on the applicable conformation, performance, sport, and health criteria.