Selective breeding programs that assess musculoskeletal soundness are reducing the prevalence of heritable conditions that cause welfare problems in working horses.
Breeding programs that systematically screen for and select against heritable musculoskeletal conditions are investing in future horse welfare. Every generation that reduces the prevalence of OCD, navicular predisposition, or other heritable conditions reduces the number of future horses who experience pain and early career limitation from these problems. The welfare benefit of breeding selection programs operates at the population level and over long time horizons, but the cumulative impact is substantial. The short-term cost of screening and selection is a welfare investment for horses yet to be born.