Mares can obtain the Elite predicate via the PROK predicate or the D-OC predicate. As of March 1, 2026, mares must score at least 99 to meet the D-OC requirements. Until then, a score of 96 was still sufficient. Tightening the minimum required D-OC value will result in stricter selection based on health. After all, this will mean that slightly more mares will not meet the set requirements, causing the average level to rise.

Stricter selection
After extensive deliberation within the breeding councils, it has been decided that the requirements for the D-OC predicate for mares will be raised to 99, allowing them to obtain the Elite predicate (or via the PROK predicate). Currently, mares obtain the D-OC predicate when they score at least 96. “By slightly tightening the requirements, we as a studbook can continue to select better based on health. This new rule takes effect on March 1, 2026, which means that all mares scoring between 96 and 98 will obtain the D-OC predicate up to and including the end of February, after which the new threshold value will be decisive. It is important to note that March 1 applies as the date of the result, and not as the date for the application,” explains Senior Inspector Floor Dröge.

Stallions

There will be no changes within the stallion selection. Stallions must meet the PROK requirement before the second viewing and must possess a D-OC value; this value is (re)calculated before the start of the second viewing. Within the stallion selection, several scenarios are possible regarding health:

• The stallion holds the PROK predicate and has a D-OC value of at least 96 (the D-OC predicate is visible from 99)
• The stallion holds the PROK predicate and has a D-OC value below 96; this stallion will have to prove himself extra convincingly to be approved
• The stallion is not PROK-worthy, but may compensate for this according to the veterinary regulations with a D-OC value of at least 99, and therefore holds a D-OC predicate

Subject to slight change

“For the stallions, the new breeding values ​​for D-OC are therefore (re)calculated prior to the second viewing, whereby it may occur that they no longer meet the requirements while they did as a foal. This can arise if more data on family members has become available in the intervening period, and we therefore have more information about the heritability of that particular DNA. The situation is somewhat different for the mares, because once they have obtained the predicate, it cannot be taken away. However, the score may turn out slightly higher or lower at a later stage, as more and more data becomes available and is included in the calculations.”

Source: KWPN 

Learn more about the D-OC in THIS article or on the KWPN website, click HERE.