Important parts of this include recording of each horse and their traits. One must judge and evaluate horses included in the breeding program. Then these records need to be analyzed, so that genetic versus non-genetic traits can be weeded out and the result can be analyzed. Of course, adjustments then need to be made and the method refined. In this process, statistics can be an essential tool.
Stallions have a large effect on the horse population, so stallion testing is essential.
Fifty or so stallions in Sweden are performance tested twice a year. Their ages range from 3.5 years to 5.5 years. This age range is important, since some stallions are quite large and slower to mature. Free jumping is a very important part of the stallion testing. Free jumping not only evaluates a stallion's talent, but also his temperament.