Ripollés Lobo, MPerdomo González, Davinia IsabelDos Santos, RSánchez-Guerrero, M JAzor, PValera, M2025-06-302025-06-302025Ripollés-Lobo, M., Perdomo-González, D. I., Dos Santos, R., Sánchez-Guerrero, M. J., Azor, P., & Valera, M. (2025). Genetic relationship between Neck and Limb defects in Pura Raza Española Horses. Journal of equine veterinary science, 151, 105630. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.1056300737-080610.1016/j.jevs.2025.105630https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/122032Contribución de autores:; M. Ripolles-Lobo: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Supervision, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. D.I. Perdomo-Gonzalez: ´ Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. R. Dos Santos: Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Supervision, Investigation. M.J. Sanchez-Guerrero: ´ Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Supervision, Investigation. P. Azor: Writing – review & editing, Supervision, Investigation. M. Valera: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Supervision, Project administration, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, ConceptualizationBackground: Neck and limb conformational defects can impair functionality and performance in Pura Raza Española (PRE) horses. However, their potential genetic relationship has not been previously explored. Aims/objectives: To estimate the genetic correlations between two types of neck defects (Cresty neck -CN-, Ewe neck -EN-) and twelve conformational limb defects: Forelimb (Buck knee -BUK-, Calf knee -CK-, Bench knee -BEK-, Knock knee -KK-, Splay-footed forelimb -SFF-, Pigeon-toed forelimb -PTF-), rear limb (Closed hock -CH-, Open hock -OH-, Convergent hock -CVH-, Divergent hock -DVH-, Splay-footed rear limb -SFR-, Pigeon-toed rear limb -PTR-). We hypothesized that a genetic relationship exists between neck and limb morphology. Methods: This study analyzed 56,644 PRE horses evaluated between 2012 and 2023. Neck and limb conformation traits were scored using two approaches: A) two-class scale (0-no defect, 1-presence of defect); B) three-class scale for limb defects (0-no defect, 1-slight defect, 2-serious defect) and four-class scale for neck defects (0-no defect, 1-slight defect, 2-serious defect, 3-disqualifying defect). Genetic parameters were estimated, including age as a covariate, and sex, genetic origin, management of breeder's stud farm and inbreeding as fixed effects. Results: The most frequent limb defect among horses with neck defects was SFR (80.15 % in CN and 72.45 % in EN). Genetic correlations showed moderate relationships, ranging from -0.22(s.d.: 0.090) for EN-SFR to 0.44(s.d.: 0.123) for CN-DVH in approach A, and oscillating from -0.25(s.d.: 0.028) for CNCVH to 0.51(s.d.: 0.228) for CN-SFF in approach B. Conclusion: Results support the need for integrated selection strategies targeting both anatomical regionengAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/journal article1542-7412https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.10563040505788open access636.082.4636.1EquineGenetic correlationsGenetic selectionLeg defectsMorphological defectsProducción animalGanado equino3104 Producción Animal3104.05 Équidos