Konik Horses Research Articles

Age-dependent haemogram and sex-dependent serum biochemistry values in semi-feral Konik horses.

Semi-feral, free-roaming Konik polski horses are used in some European countries for preserving semi-open pasture landscapes. The estimation of their health status is still limited by insufficient data on various blood parameters. Therefore, our study aimed at the sex- and age-dependent analysis of haemogram and selected biochemistry parameters in healthy, semi-feral Koniks. In order to reach this aim, we took blood samples from 53 female and 18 male (8 uncastrated, 10 castrated) Koniks living in two Middle German nature reserves. They were of different age (9-266 months) and without signs of illness. Blood samples were analysed by an accredited laboratory. We identified age- but not sex-dependent changes in the white blood cell count (WBC). Higher age mainly caused a decrease in lymphocytes. Therefore, WBC correlated negatively and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio positively with increasing age. Serum values of selected biochemical parameters did not depend on age but showed some sex-related differences. In this regard, serum total protein, triglyceride and the enzymatic activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and g-glutamyltransferase were higher in males than females. However, the sex dependency of these enzymatic activities was restricted to uncastrated males. They also showed higher serum values for calcium and selenium than castrated males or all females. As far as the respective group sizes permitted, we then calculated age- or sex-dependent reference interval values for all parameters analysed. These values improve now the estimation of the health status of semi-feral, free-roaming Konik horses and provide a stable basis for future studies.

Osseous pathologic changes in the thoracic region of the equine vertebral column: A descriptive post-mortem study in three breeds.

Data on equine thoracic pathology hardly exist in breeds other than Thoroughbreds. To describe pathological changes of the osseous thoracic vertebral column in Warmblood horses, Shetland ponies and Konik horses, and to compare prevalence and severity. Descriptive post-mortem study. Computed tomography was used to examine the thoracic vertebral column of 34 Warmblood horses, 28 Shetland ponies, and 18 Konik horses. Osteoarthritis (OA), periarticular osteolysis, osseous cyst-like lesions and fragments of articular processes (APJs), costovertebral and costotransverse joints, soft tissue mineralisation surrounding these joints, intervertebral disc (IVD) mineralisation, impingement of spinous processes (SPs) and spondylosis were scored. APJ aplasia (98%; 58/59) occurred in 14 Shetland ponies. OA predominated in Warmblood horses across all joints (45% vs. 29 and 32%, p < 0.001). OA and periarticular osteolysis were found in particular in the costotransverse joints (p < 0.001) across all breeds. Warmblood and Konik horses had more and severe soft tissue mineralisation than Shetland ponies (2.3%, score 1.5 and 3.2%, score 1.3, respectively, vs. 0.3%, score 0.9, p < 0.01). Mid location was most often affected with highest severity score (4.2%, 1.5, p < 0.001). Konik horses displayed the highest IVD mineralisation (20%, p < 0.001), which notably increased with age (p < 0.001) compared with Warmblood horses (4.5%) and Shetland ponies (1.1%). SPs impingement was absent in Shetland ponies, and most prevalent in Warmblood horses (11.2%, p < 0.001) compared with Konik horses (2.2%). Osseous cyst-like lesions, fragments and spondylosis were minimal in all breeds and nearly absent in Shetland ponies. Clinical histories and macroscopic and histologic examinations were unavailable. Distinct breed differences exist in prevalence and severity of thoracic vertebral column osseous pathologies. Costotransverse joint pathology is more common than APJ pathology in all breeds. Warmblood horses are prone to OA, spondylosis and SPs impingement; Konik horses exhibit significant IVD mineralisation, and Shetland ponies demonstrate a high prevalence of APJ aplasia. Periarticular osteolysis, osseous cyst-like lesions, fragments and soft tissue mineralisation are notably low in Shetland ponies.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Dülmen Wild, Liebenthal and Polish Konik Horses in Comparison with Przewalski, Sorraia, German Draught and Riding Horses.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the genetic diversity, individual-based assessment of population structure, and admixture in the Dülmen wild horse population in comparison to warmblood, coldblood, and primitive horse populations. The Dülmen wild horse is kept as a unique horse population in the Merfelder Bruch near Dülmen in Westphalia, Germany, and since 1856 has been managed by the Dukes of Croÿ. The Dülmen wild horse population is exposed to the natural conditions of the Merfelder Bruch all year round without human interventions for feeding and veterinary care. In the present study, genetic diversity was estimated for 101 Dülmen wild horses using multilocus genotypic information from a set of 29 autosomal microsatellites and compared with 587 horses from 17 different horse populations. Dülmen wild horses maintained a high degree of genetic diversity, with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.68, a mean number of 6.17 alleles, and heterozygote deficit of -0.035. Pairwise genetic distances (FST, Nei's standard, and Cavalli-Sforza distances) were closest to German coldblood breeds, Polish Konik, and Icelandic horses and most divergent from Sorraia and Przewalski's horses. Neighbor joining dendrogram and PCA plots showed a clear distinction of Dülmen wild horses from other populations, particularly from Przewalski horses. Posterior Bayesian analysis confirmed clear differentiation from other horse populations without an admixture pattern and a high membership index (0.92). It was possible to distinguish Dülmen wild horses from Dülmen and Polish Konik horses. In conclusion, Dülmen wild horses show a notable separation from other German horse breeds and primitive horse populations and may serve as a resource to study evolution of equine domestication.

Natural grazing by horses and cattle promotes bird diversity in a restored European alluvial grassland.

A challenge in grassland conservation is to maintain both the openness and the heterogeneity of the habitat to support the diversity of their animal communities, including birds-a taxon that is known to be sensitive to disturbance. An increasingly used management tool in European grassland conservation, especially in rewilding projects, is grazing by large herbivores such as horses and cattle. These grazers are believed to create and maintain patchy landscapes that promote diversity and richness of other species, but their influence on birds is often debated by conservationists, who raise concerns about the impact of disturbance by the grazers. Our aim was to examine the relationship between the abundance and species richness of birds across four foraging guilds and the area utilization patterns of Highland cattle and Konik horses in an alluvial grassland in France. We also aimed to examine the influence of land cover and season on the spatial distribution, including abundance and species richness, of different bird guilds present in the grazed area. We used GPS-collars on all grazers and recorded their positions on an hourly basis over a study period of 1.5 years, assessing patterns of area usage. We counted birds weekly along three transects to describe their distribution within the grazed area and carried out land-cover surveys to describe the habitat. To assess how species richness and abundance of birds of different guilds were related to grazer density, season, and habitat characteristics, we used GAMM models in a spatially explicit framework. We also compared bird numbers at our main study site with a nearby non-grazed control area. The number of birds in the grazed area was about twice the number in the non-grazed control area. Within the grazed area, the abundance of open-area foraging birds increased with increasing grazer density. The number of woodland-foraging birds was also positively correlated with grazer density but less so than open-area foraging birds. The number of individuals in the aerial and wetland bird guilds was not correlated with the density of grazers. Most bird species and individuals were observed on open landscapes scattered with woody patches and waterbodies, and on areas with moderate grazer density. Low-intensity grazing represents a potentially important management tool in creating heterogeneity in alluvial grasslands, thereby promoting suitable habitat for a diverse assemblage of bird species.

Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome reveal the genetic structure of the native Polish Konik horse population.

Polish Konik remains one of the most important horse breeds in Poland. The primitive, native horses with a stocky body and mouse-like coat color are protected by a conservation program, while their Polish population consists of about 3,480 individuals, representing 16 dam and six sire lines. To define the population's genetic structure, mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome sequence variables were identified. The mtDNA whole hypervariable region analysis was carried out using the Sanger sequencing method on 233 Polish Koniks belonging to all dam lines, while the Y chromosome analysis was performed with the competitive allele-specific PCR genotyping method on 36 horses belonging to all sire lines. The analysis of the mtDNA hypervariable region detected 47 SNPs, which assigned all tested horses to 43 haplotypes. Most dam lines presented more than one haplotype; however, five dam lines were represented by only one haplotype. The haplotypes were classified into six (A, B, E, J, G, R) recognized mtDNA haplogroups, with most horses belonging to haplogroup A, common among Asian horse populations. Y chromosome analysis allocated Polish Koniks in the Crown group, condensing all modern horse breeds, and divided them into three haplotypes clustering with coldblood breeds (28 horses), warmblood breeds (two horses), and Duelmener Pony (six horses). The clustering of all Wicek sire line stallions with Duelmener horses may suggest a historical relationship between the breeds. Additionally, both mtDNA and Y chromosome sequence variability results indicate crossbreeding before the studbooks closure or irregularities in the pedigrees occurred before the DNA testing introduction.

Molecular cytogenetic screening of sex chromosome abnormalities in young horse populations.

Chromosomal abnormalities occur in the equine population at a rate of approximately 2%. The use of molecular cytogenetic techniques allows a more accurate identification of chromosomal abnormalities, especially those with a low rate of abnormal metaphases, demonstrating that the actual incidence in equine populations is higher. Estimation of the number of carriers of karyotypic abnormalities in a sample from a population of young horses of various breeds, using molecular cytogenetic techniques. Cross-sectional. Venous blood samples were collected from 500 young horses representing 5 breeds (Purebred Arabian, Hucul, Polish primitive horse [Konik], Małopolska, Coldblood, Silesian). Chromosomes and DNA were obtained from blood lymphocytes and evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and PCR, using probes and markers for the sex chromosomes and select autosomes. Nineteen horses, 18 mares and 1 stallion, were diagnosed with different chromosomal abnormalities: 17 cases of mosaic forms of sex chromosome aneuploidies with a very low incidence (0.6%-4.7%), one case of a SRY-negative 64,XY sex reversal mare, and one mare with X-autosome translocation. The percentage of sex chromosomal aberrations was established as 3.8% in the whole population, 6.08% in females and 0.49% in males. Limited sample size, confined to horses from Poland. The rate of sex chromosomal abnormalities we identified was almost double that reported in previous population studies that used classical chromosome staining techniques. FISH allowed the detection of aneuploid cell lines which had a very low incidence. The FISH technique is a faster and more precise method for karyotype examination; however, it is usually focused on only one or two chromosomes while banding karyotyping includes the entire chromosome set.

Osseous pathologic changes in the lumbar region of the equine vertebral column: A descriptive post-mortem study in three breeds.

Data on equine lumbar pathology hardly exist in breeds other than Thoroughbreds. To describe pathological changes of the osseous lumbar vertebral column in Warmblood horses, Shetland ponies and Konik horses. Descriptive post-mortem study. The lumbar vertebral columns of 34 Warmblood horses, 28 Shetland ponies, and 18 Konik horses were examined by computed tomography (CT). Osteoarthritis (OA) of articular processes (APJs), OA of intertransverse joints (ITJs), intervertebral disc (IVD) mineralisation, impingement of spinous (SPs) and transverse (TPs) processes and spondylosis were scored. Breed differences in prevalence and severity of pathologies were analysed by linear regression analysis and by calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (rs). In Warmblood horses, the prevalence of OA of APJs, impingement of SPs and TPs was respectively 90%, 36%, and 35%, significantly higher than in the other breeds (p < 0.001). In Konik horses, IVD mineralisation (40%) and spondylosis (10%) were more frequent than in Warmbloods and Shetland ponies (p = 0.03). Severity score for OA of ITJs was highest in Shetland ponies (p < 0.001). For impingement of SPs, severity score was highest in Warmbloods (p = 0.03), and of TPs lowest in Shetland ponies (p = 0.003). For all parameters, except for spondylosis in Shetland ponies, there was a positive correlation between percentage of vertebrae affected and age, with IVD mineralisation scores increasing faster in Konik horses (p < 0.001). In all breeds, there was also a positive relation between scores of severity and age for OA of APJs and ITJs and for IVD mineralisation, with severity scores increasing faster in Shetland ponies (p = 0.04). Strong left/right correlations of the severity scores were seen for OA of the APJ, ITJ, impingement of TPs, and paramedian spondylosis (rs = 0.74-0.86, all p < 0.001). Clinical histories were not available. There are distinct breed differences between prevalence and severity of osseous pathologies of the lumbar spine. Warmblood horses have higher scores for most pathologies with IVD mineralisation being more important in Konik horses and OA of ITJs in Shetland ponies.

Habitat use by semi-feral Konik horses on wetlands—three-year GPS study

Free-ranging grazers are increasingly being introduced to areas of high natural value, such as wetlands. There is also growing attention that has been paid to the historical role of herbivores in shaping ecosystems and landscapes. Even though studies on the grazing of free-range horses were carried out in different regions and climates, still little is known about their habitat selection on heterogeneous marshy areas in the temperate region of Europe. The aim of this study was to investigate the habitat use by contemporary Konik horses during the growing season on the basis of three-year GPS data for a semi-feral herd kept on wetlands. Almost 68% of the occurrence of Konik horses were in open habitats. The assessment of habitat selection by the horses confirmed their strong preferences for grasslands on mid-forest dunes and forest avoidance. Konik horses somewhat preferred mowed fen meadows, but the animals displayed differences in the selection of habitat, probably depending on its humidity and weather conditions in a given year which may limit the role of grazing in protecting these communities. Horses need different habitats in wetlands such as fen meadows, forest, and grasslands on the mineral hills. This should be taken into consideration for landscape management in areas where the introduction of wild or semi-wild horse populations is planned.

Space–time interactions between free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) and grazing livestock on a fenced pasture

Livestock farming, which produces milk and meat, is practised by nearly all cultures. But in addition to this, grazing livestock fulfils other fundamentally important roles, one of which is the maintenance of open landscapes, which in turn provides habitat for many rare plant and animal species. Whether wild large herbivores, such as red deer (Cervus elaphus), benefit from the management of the open landscapes is unknown, and there are conflicting views on the nature of the interaction between livestock and wildlife. To investigate this question, we studied interactions in space and time between red deer and livestock in an 787 ha fenced pasture in eastern Germany. First, we used faecal pellet counts to determine whether red deer were using the fenced pasture and whether livestock were using the entire available pasture. Second, we fitted ten red deer, as well as eight Konik horses (Equus ferus caballus) and eight Heck cattle (Bos taurus) with GPS-collars. These data allowed us to perform analyses of space–time interactions. The faecal pellet data showed that red deer did indeed use the fenced pasture and that livestock used the entire extent of the pasture. Further, we verified a neutral space–time interaction between red deer and livestock within the pasture. Thus, there was no indication of a negative effect of the presence of livestock on red deer inside the pasture. For these reasons, we recommend that low-intensity grazing by cattle and horses can maintain open landscapes without detrimental effects on the use of the area by red deer.

Assessment of Rainwater Quality Regarding its Use in The Roztocze National Park (Poland)—Case Study

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of rainwater and the possibility of using it for various purposes in the Roztocze National Park (RNP), Poland. This study was carried out in 2021–2022. Samples of rainwater that drained from the roofs of farm buildings in the RNP were tested for their organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological qualities. The organoleptic tests were run to evaluate the water for a foreign odour and the threshold odour number. The physical and chemical tests included turbidity; colour; pH; conductivity; concentrations of ammonium ions, nitrates, nitrites, manganese, iron and chlorides; and general hardness. The microbiological tests included total microbial counts at 36 °C and 22 °C, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The rainwater quality results were compared with the quality parameters of surface water collected from the River Świerszcz, as well as with the Polish drinking water standards. The findings indicated that rainwater collected in the RNP had good organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological properties, which, in some cases, complied with the standards for potable water. Exceedances of the permissible limits, mainly for ammonium ions and microbiological indicators, were periodically observed in the tested rainwater. This was probably due to contamination of roof surfaces with bird droppings. However, these exceedances did not exclude the use of the rainwater for economic purposes, e.g., flushing toilets, washing vehicles or watering plants, which may significantly reduce the abstraction of high-quality groundwater. The rainwater that is planned to be used as drinking water for the Polish konik horses living in the park will have to be pre-treated via filtration and disinfection processes (e.g., with a UV lamp).

The Influence of Konik Horses Grazing and Meteorological Conditions on Wetland Communities

Extensive management is one of the methods used in the conservation of fen meadows. The aim of the study was to characterize grassland communities grazed by Konik horses in the Biebrza National Park and to assess the influence of short-term grazing on the sward. During a 3-year period, phytosociological studies, measurements of the sward cover and height, as well as an assessment of the botanical composition of meadows were conducted in places grazed and excluded from grazing. The grasslands were mowed once a year at the turn of July and August, with the exception of mid-forest meadows. The area studied was dominated by communities of the Molinion alliance. Horses kept at a very low stocking rate reduced the height and cover of the sward. In the short-term, weather conditions, especially the duration of floods, had an even greater impact on the species composition of communities than grazing. Therefore, in order to protect the Molinia meadows, apart from extensive mowing, it is necessary to maintain appropriate habitat conditions, especially in terms of controlling the moisture, and conduct its regular monitoring.

Occurrence of Equine Foamy Virus Infection in Horses from Poland

Equine foamy virus (EFVeca) is a foamy virus of non-primate origin and among the least-studied members of this retroviral subfamily. By sequence comparison, EFVeca shows the highest similarity to bovine foamy virus. In contrast to simian, bovine or feline foamy viruses, knowledge about the epidemiology of EFVeca is still limited. Since preliminary studies suggested EFVeca infections among horses in Poland, we aimed to expand the diagnostics of EFVeca infections by developing specific diagnostic tools and apply them to investigate its prevalence. An ELISA test based on recombinant EFVeca Gag protein was developed for serological investigation, while semi-nested PCR for the detection of EFVeca DNA was established. 248 DNA and serum samples from purebred horses, livestock and saddle horses, Hucul horses and semi-feral Polish primitive horses were analyzed in this study. ELISA was standardized, and cut off value, sensitivity and specificity of the test were calculated using Receiver Operating Characteristic and Bayesian estimation. Based on the calculated cut off, 135 horses were seropositive to EFVeca Gag protein, while EFVeca proviral DNA was detected in 85 animals. The rate of infected individuals varied among the horse groups studied; this is the first report confirming the existence of EFVeca infections in horses from Poland using virus-specific tools.

An analysis of the annual mobility of Polish Konik horses depending on habitat, season, and time of the day.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the mobility of Polish Konik horses in their natural environment. The study was conducted on a herd of 15 Polish Konik horses in 2018. The Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter was used to track the horses' movements. Two habitats (forest and meadows), four seasons (autumn, winter, spring, and summer), and four times of the day (morning, midday, evening, and night) were distinguished. Season, habitat, and time of the day as well as the interaction among them significantly () affected the mobility of Polish Konik horses. The use of the GPS device enabled tracking of horses' mobility also at night, which made the results more complete compared with other similar studies.

Changes in the Amount of Rainwater in the Roztocze National Park (Poland) in 2001–2020 and the Possibility of Using Rainwater in the Context of Ongoing Climate Variability

Data for the years 2001–2020 on changes in the amount of rainwater in the Roztocze National Park (RNP) in the catchment area of the Świerszcz River (Poland) were investigated to evaluate the possibility of using rainwater in the park for various purposes in the context of ongoing climate variability. An analysis of data from the RNP’s Integrated Monitoring of the Natural Environment showed that the average annual air temperature increased by 2.1 °C over the 20-year period, while the amount of precipitation decreased, especially in the winter seasons. These changes periodically led to a negative hydrological balance. As an effect, the groundwater table was gradually lowering, the flow of the Świerszcz River was reduced, and there were periodic shortages of water feeding the Echo Ponds. Water shortages also negatively affected the flora and fauna of the RNP. In order to quantitatively protect the Park’s water resources, a proposition was made to build a rainwater management system at the Animal Breeding Centre in Florianka to provide water for watering Polish Konik horses, flushing toilets, washing cars and agricultural equipment, and fire-prevention purposes. The excess water would be discharged to a nearby pond, which is an amphibian breeding site. It was estimated that the system was capable of meeting 100% of the demand for lower-quality water in the summer period. Moreover, it was determined that 9109 m3 of rainwater could be obtained annually from the roofs of all public utility buildings located in the RNP.

Kinetics of the Equid Herpesvirus 2 and 5 Infections among Mares and Foals from Three Polish National Studs.

Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5) are two γ-herpesviruses that are commonly detected from horses worldwide, based on several cross-sectional molecular surveys. Comparatively few studies examined the dynamics of γ-herpesvirus infection over time in a group of horses. The aim of the current study was to investigate the dynamics of EHV-2/5 infections among mares and their foals at three Polish national studs with different breeds of horses: Arabians, Thoroughbreds and Polish Konik horses. Nasal swabs were collected from each of 38 mare-foal pairs monthly for a period of 6 to 8 months. Virus-specific quantitative PCR assays were used to determine the viral load of EHV-2 and EHV-5 in each sample. All 76 horses sampled were positive for EHV-2 or EHV-5 on at least one sampling occasion. The majority (73/76, 96%) were infected with both EHV-2 and EHV-5. In general, the mean load of viral DNA was higher in samples from foals than from mares, but similar for EHV-2 and EHV-5 at most sampling occasions. There was, however, a considerable variability in the viral DNA load between samples collected at different times from the same foal, as well as between samples from different foals. The latter was more apparent for EHV-2 than for EHV-5. All foals became infected with both viruses early in life, before weaning, and remained positive on all, or most, subsequent samplings. The virus shedding by mares was more intermittent, indicating the existence of age-related differences. Overall, the data presented extend our knowledge of EHV-2/5 epidemiology among mares and foals.

ST ˛EZENIE KWASU FOLIOWEGO W SUROWICY KRWI KONIKÓW POLSKICH UTRZYMYWANYCH ˙ W SYSTEMIE TABUNOWYM I STAJENNYM

Folic acid has multi-faceted effects on the body. Its biological activity ensures genome stability and the normal course of the cell cycle. A deficiency of this acid can lead to serious consequences for health and life. Folic acid is the most oxidized form of folates taken with food. Folic acid is not produced in horses and must be ingested with food. Its bioavailability is also affected by environmental factors. The aim of the study was to analyse the content of folic acid in the blood serum of Polish Konik horses kept in a free-roaming herd system and a stable system. The folic acid concentrations in all horses were within the normal range of reference values for the species. Higher folic acid concentrations were noted in the free-roaming horses. Variation in the content of folic acid in the serum of stabled horses was higher than in the free-roaming horses. The management system was not found to significantly affect the serum content of folic acid in the horses.

Effects of extensive grazing on the vegetation of a landscape-scale restoration site

The Wicken Fen Vision (Cambridgeshire, UK) is a landscape-scale habitat restoration project that uses process-driven, open-ended approaches to develop habitats on highly degraded and drained peat soils of former intensive arable land. The project land is extensively grazed with herds of free-roaming, minimally managed herds of Highland cattle and Konik horses. In one 119 ha area, seven 25m x 25 m grazing exclosures were erected and vascular plant species were recorded from 2007 to 2017. Plant species data were analysed to (1) compare changes in plant species composition and diversity in grazed and ungrazed areas; (2) use plant species traits and plant-environment associations to explore the nature of changes in plant composition; (3) use remote sensing to explore changes in vegetation structure; (4) examine the influence of land use histories on grazing outcomes in different parts of the site.There was a clear divergence through time between grazed and ungrazed areas, attributed to significantly greater canopy height, Ellenberg L (Light) and Ellenberg N (fertility) values within the exclosures. Species richness was significantly higher in grazed compared with ungrazed areas and species assemblages separated through the study period. After ten years, extensive free-roaming grazing has had significant impacts on vegetation structure and species richness but effects varied across the study site because of differing historical land use.

Konik, Tarpan, European wild horse: An origin story with conservation implications

Horses are gaining importance in European nature conservation management, for which usually so-called primitive breeds are favored due to their claimed robustness. An increasingly popular breed, the Konik horse, is often said to be the direct descendent of the alleged European wild horse, the Tarpan. However, both the direct descent of the Konik from European wild horses and the existence of the Tarpan as a wild species are highly debated. In this review, we scrutinized both contemporary research and historical sources and suggest that the Tarpan and the Konik as its direct descendent are manmade myths that hinder effective conservation management. We did not find evidence that the Tarpan was a wild horse rather than a feral horse. We did not find any evidence either for a closer connection between the Konik and any extinct wild horse than between other domestic breeds and wild horses. We discuss three perspectives on why the myth has become widely accepted and survived to this day: a historical-political, a biological-ecological, and an emotional perspective. It seems that the origin story of the Konik and its connection to the Tarpan was shaped by personal and political interests, including nationalistic ideas. These as well as general human emotions towards horses have influenced researchers and laypeople to keep the myth alive, which has been possibly negatively impacting contemporary nature conservation. Indeed, today’s Koniks originated from a small founder population of only six male lines that were selected according to their phenotypic traits, with the aim to rebreed the ‘wild Tarpan’. Strict breeding practices have led to high inbreeding levels in recent Konik populations, which may undermine nature conservation purposes. Therefore, we suggest that mythologized origin stories should not be an argument for selecting breeds of grazers for nature conservation.

Genetic Background of the Polish Primitive Horse (Konik) Coat Color Variation-New Insight into Dun Dilution Phenotypic Effect.

Only the blue dun coat color, produced by the action of the dun allele on the background of a black base coat, is officially permitted in the Polish primitive horse (PPH, Konik) breed, yet the population is not visually homogenous and various coat color shades occur. Herein, the molecular background of PPH coat color was studied based on genotyping of known causative variants in equine coat color-related genes (ASIP, MC1R, TBX3, SLC36A1, SLC45A2, PMEL17, and RALY). Additionally, screening for the new polymorphisms was conducted for the ASIP gene coding sequence and the TBX3 1.6-kb insert (associated with the dun dilution). We did not observe the champagne, silver, or cream color dilution variants in the PPH breed. A significant association (P < 0.01) was recorded for the genotype in TBX3 gene 1.6 kb in/del and the degree of dun coat dilution, demonstrating that the dominant action of the dun mutation is not fully penetrant. In addition to the effect of the 1.6 kb in/del zygosity, variants within the TBX3 insert were significantly associated with PPH coat color variability (P < 0.01), suggesting the presence of an additional allele at this locus. Finally, we identified a high frequency (35%) of genetically bay dun-colored PPH individuals that are officially recorded as blue (black base coat) duns. We propose that the difficulty in distinguishing these 2 phenotypes visually is due to an independent locus upstream of the ASIP gene, which was recently described as darkening the typical bay pigmentation shade.

Some Genetic and Environmental Effects on Equine Asthma in Polish Konik Horses.

Simple SummaryEquine Asthma (EA) is a blanket term covering inflammatory diseases of the lower airways in horses. It includes mild-to-moderate equine asthma, which affects horses of any age, and severe equine asthma, which is typically seen in horses older than 7 years of. Relationships of the disease’s occurrence with sex or breed have been proven. However, some authors consider genetic background a predisposing factor, due to the fact that in some bloodlines a clinical form of asthma is more frequently observed. This indicates serious breeding and economic consequences. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting predisposition to severe equine asthma in the population of Polish Konik horses and some environmental and inbreeding effects on the disease. Generally, in the observed population, EA is negligibly affected by the factors analysed. Individual inbreeding effects on asthma were not confirmed by various statistical approaches, but significant maternal inbreeding effects were observed. These results are very important from the perspective of the currently implemented genetic resource conservation programme.Current knowledge of the genetic and environmental backgrounds of equine asthma seems to be insufficient, especially for primitive horse breeds. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the effects of sex, birth period, stud, parentage line and inbreeding on asthma morbidity in Polish Konik horses. Records of 274 horses (housed in two studs) were analysed. These animals were allocated to maternal and paternal lines. Individual inbreeding coefficients were extracted from the additive relationship matrix. Horses underwent diagnosis based on observation of the basic symptoms (high frequency of coughing and excessive nasal discharge). Subsequently, some horses (28 individuals) were clinically examined to confirm the earlier observations. Generally, no significant effects of parentage line on heaves morbidity were identified by the use of logistic regression, although the Pearson’s chi-squared test had shown that individuals of some maternal and paternal lines had a predisposition to severe equine asthma. It was concluded that the individual inbreeding level is not associated with the incidence of EA, but a significant effect of the maternal inbreeding coefficient may be observed. It was also found that there is some variability in the incidence of this disease between studs.