Traditional Horse Research Articles

СТРУКТУРЫ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ПАХОТНЫХ ЗЕМЕЛЬ В ЛЕСОСТЕПНОЙ ЗОНЕ БАШКИРСКОГО ЗАУРАЛЬЯ СО ВТОРОЙ ПОЛОВИНЫ 20 ВЕКА

We analyzed modern use of arable lands of 1985 in forest-steppe zone of Post-Ural of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Climate is temperate continental. An average annual temperature is 1.6℃ and an average annual precipitation of 427.9 mm. The hottest month is July with an average temperature of 17.5 and the coldest month is January with an average temperature of -14.8℃. Modern agricultural lands usually are used as a hay (43%). Use can be caused with local cattle breeding as traditional horse breeding. Overgrowth captures by 25% of Pinus silvestris. Scot’s pine is growing better on dry lands because it captures more area of overgrowth.

Indigenous Subsistence Practices of the Sakha Horse Herders under Changing Climate in the Arctic

This article provides, firstly, an overview of Arctic traditional horse herding as one of the Indigenous subsistence practices of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It discusses the origins, characteristics, and spiritual and material importance of Sakha horses and horse herding practices to inform the overall understanding of this traditional subsistence activity, which remains largely unexplored. Secondly, by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with Indigenous Sakha horse herders, this study explores the ways in which Indigenous subsistence practices are evolving and reacting to the climate and environmental changes. Results show that climate change is altering the local ecosystem and introducing new challenges to communities in Central Yakutia. Local herders describe climate change as a complex interplay of diverse transformations rather than a singular phenomenon. While historical adaptation strategies relied on the flexibility of traditional practices, today, this flexibility is often hindered by non-climatic factors. This article further discusses adaptability of Indigenous practices to climate change and offers recommendations for their development, particularly traditional horse herding. Future research related to climate change and Arctic Indigenous communities should encompass deeper and broader aspects, covering historical, cultural, social, and economic contexts and the worldviews of Indigenous peoples, distinct from Western perspectives.

Dual Enclavity and Nomadicity. Life Trajectories of Kyrgyz Horse Racing Riders Working in Poland

In recent years (since 2019), a professional niche formed by Kyrgyz men has rapidly risen to dominate the horse racing ranking in Poland. This article explores their life trajectories and proposes a theoretical framework describing their mode of mobility. It is based on interviews with Kyrgyz riders, complemented by interviews with horse racing trainers. The study reveals details of their life trajectories and identifies some common features and sequences in their experiences. These are: the usage of unique cultural capital acquired in childhood and physical capital to transition from traditional horse racing to English-style racing, the gradual shift from transregional occupational networks to transnational ones in which Poland serves as a waiting zone, and unspecified (but related to the global horse racing industry) plans for the future. This case study is analysed from the perspective of translocality and transnational migration. I argue that the socio-economic circumstances in the migrants’ country of origin and the vocational pathway they undertook as teenagers within the horse racing, result in the permanent temporality of their mobility between enclaves of horse racing centres. The article proposes the concept of dual enclavity and nomadicity to capture the particular nature of this form of mobility.

Fusion of Target and Keypoint Detection for Automated Measurement of Mongolian Horse Body Measurements

Accurate and efficient access to Mongolian horse body size information is an important component in the modernization of the equine industry. Aiming at the shortcomings of manual measurement methods, such as low efficiency and high risk, this study converts the traditional horse body measure measurement problem into a measurement keypoint localization problem and proposes a top-down automatic Mongolian horse body measure measurement method by integrating the target detection algorithm and keypoint detection algorithm. Firstly, the SimAM parameter-free attention mechanism is added to the YOLOv8n backbone network to constitute the SimAM–YOLOv8n algorithm, which provides the base image for the subsequent accurate keypoint detection; secondly, the coordinate regression-based RTMPose keypoint detection algorithm is used for model training to realize the keypoint localization of the Mongolian horse. Lastly, the cosine annealing method was employed to dynamically adjust the learning rate throughout the entire training process, and subsequently conduct body measurements based on the information of each keypoint. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of the SimAM–YOLOv8n algorithm proposed in this study was 90.1%, and the average accuracy of the RTMPose algorithm was 91.4%. Compared with the manual measurements, the shoulder height, chest depth, body height, body length, croup height, angle of shoulder and angle of croup had mean relative errors (MRE) of 3.86%, 4.72%, 3.98%, 2.74%, 2.89%, 4.59% and 5.28%, respectively. The method proposed in this study can provide technical support to realize accurate and efficient Mongolian horse measurements.

Investigating the Motivational Priorities Underlying Equestrians’ Horse-Keeping and Training Practices

ABSTRACT Many traditional horse keeping and training practices can result in poor horse welfare. To assist reform and identify novel opportunities to facilitate improvements in horse welfare, this study sought to gauge the motivations underlying equestrians’ horse-keeping and training practices. Nineteen amateur equestrians were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Systems thinking and self-determination theory, which proposes humans are intrinsically motivated by three psychological needs (competence, autonomy, and relatedness), provided the theoretical framework for the study. Using reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (1) achieving equestrian goals is the primary motivator; (2) equestrians work hard to develop their equestrian knowledge and skills; (3) equestrians are highly motivated to compete and/or participate in club activities; and (4) achieving a financial return on investment is important to many equestrians. Findings suggest that equestrians do not prioritize the three psychological needs proposed by self-determination theory equally. Competence (goal achievement) was the highest priority for equestrians, followed by the need for autonomy (control), and then relatedness (horse–human partnership). The spectrum of equestrians’ motivational priorities suggests that there is an imbalance between horse needs and human needs when selecting horse-keeping and training practices. These insights can be leveraged to develop initiatives that engage all stakeholders, so that meeting human needs and horse needs is more equitably balanced. We also found that equestrians’ practices were highly influenced by their desire to participate in competitive equestrian sport, emphasizing the important role equestrian organizations can play in improving horse welfare through the rules of their sports. These findings contribute to the multifaceted reform needed to solve the complex challenge of improving horse welfare, the outcome of which will determine the long-term future of equestrian sport.

A Case Study Comparing the Life Skills Development and Knowledge in Youth Participants of Horseless and Traditional Horse Programs in Utah

This study compared four horseless and seven traditional horse participants from Washington County 4-H in Utah for horse knowledge gained and for the development of 10 life skills from Hendricks’s Targeting Life Skills Model: leadership, teamwork, self-responsibility, personal safety, problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, communication, and concern for others. This study’s mixed methods design employed interviews to learn about life skill development and quantitative data from a 20-item horse knowledge quiz and demographic survey. The traditional horse youth showed greater development of leadership, self-responsibility, decision-making, goal setting, and communication than the horseless youth. Roughly half of the participants in both groups experienced having concern for others in their program, but both programs lacked the development of critical thinking and problem-solving. As for horse knowledge, traditional horse participant scores were 15% to 40% better than horseless participants. The horseless participants lacked knowledge on the parts of a western saddle and horsemanship. Recommendations for future research include observational research in addition to participants’ self-perceived data, perspectives of the adult leaders, and pre-post test data to track the growth of life skills and horse knowledge in horseless and traditional horse participants.

Genetic structure of the Lipizzan horse breed in Hungary through the mare families

Modern animal husbandry has drastically changed the genetic structure of some domestic species. The varieties, genotypes that we think we do not need at the moment can only be saved from extinction with the help of gene conservation. Traditional Hungarian horse breeds have a long history (more than 200 years) and a demonstrably different genetic structure from other horse breeds in Europe and the rest of the world. Consequently, their enormous genetic value is undoubted. The subject of our research was to study the structure of the mare families found in the population of the Lipizzan horse breed and the genetic structure of the Hungarian population. Out of the total 61 mare families in the world, 35 are present in Hungary. There are 11 Hungarian, 12 families of Fogaras, 7 original, 4 Croatian and 1 Slovenian mare families in the Hungarian population. The proportion of mare families in Hungary and Fogaras is almost the same. The proportion of Croatian and Slovenian families is negligible. In terms of their number, they are not significant in Hungary. For this reason they have little effect on the Hungarian Lipizzan population. Except one of the original mare families are in the same situation as the Croatian and Slovenian families. The Presciana / Bradamanta mare family is the most populous of all families due to their long stay in Hungary. The proportion of families is unbalanced. Seven mare families accounting for 56.36% of the total population. Given the basic requirements of gene conservation work, this condition is far from optimal.

Evaluation of Traditional and Indigenous Horse Breeds for Wider Intended Use: Case Study from Slovenia

In this work, a new multi-criteria model for the evaluation of traditional and indigenous horse breeds, the HORQUAL model, was developed by applying the DEX (Decision Expert) method. The idea for this study culminated from brainstorming among researchers who had the importance of conserving traditional and indigenous horse breeds in Slovenia and their universal uses (recreative and sport) in mind. The conservation of native domestic animal breeds is one of the important indicators of sustainable agricultural development in particular countries. Here, the assessment process considered the horse breeds in terms of lifestyle, expectations, requirements and experiences. The development process was based on the multi-criteria decision analysis approach, and it was applied to seven traditional and indigenous Slovenian horse breeds. The horse breeds were classified into four groups of breed ratings according to the chosen criteria. The horse breeds were categorised as follows: “does not correspond to the criteria”, “less correspondence with the criteria”, “corresponds to the criteria” and “completely corresponds to the criteria”. The results of the HORQUAL model clearly show that it is easier and more effective to choose the most suitable breeds for specific purposes (i.e., recreative/sport horses with the potential for breeding along with acceptable costs, favourable temperament and suitable price) as they can easily be analysed or compared with each other, according to the criteria chosen in this paper. The rating by group takes the criteria for the multi-attribute evaluation that were identified by an expert group into account and balances between the assessment of recreational and sports needs for riders and the life expectancy for breeders. Additionally, incorporating the Plus-minus-1 analysis proved to be a useful support tool to analyse the assessments and to further improve horse breeding plans.

Jockey's interest in traditional horse racing sports championships in central aceh district

The purpose of this study was to determine the interest of jockeys in traditional horse racing championships in Central Aceh Regency. This type of research is descriptive research with a qualitative research approach. The sample in this study amounted to 30 people. Data collection techniques by conducting observations, closed interviews and distributing questionnaires. The research instruments used were observation, interviews, and questionnaires. Data processing techniques using the percentage formula. The results showed that the jockey's interest in horse racing was in the high category with a percentage of 100%. The conclusion of the research is that the support from various parties, both from the family, the environment, and the government, makes the children develop their interest in becoming horse racing jockeys.

Horse Racing: A Traditional Game to Improve Children’s Motor Gross Skill (Ethnopedagogy study on Dompu Tribe)

Gross motor encompasses all abilities of coordination, flexibelity, and balance. Children are given opportunities to play more energetically activities such us horse racing tradional game. Yet, the study aims to investigate the stages of early childhood Gross motor skill transition using traditional horse racing activities in the Dompu community of Indonesia. This research employs a qualitative approach by ethnographic methods. The research subjects consisted of six young jockeys aged 4-8 years old and seven horse owners. The data were gathered through observation, interviews, and documentation, then analyzed using domain, taxonomic, compound and theme analysis techniques. The researchers found that the child jockeys go through three stages as their gross motor abilities improve and mature. The development of children's gross motor abilities begins with horse cleaning, river riding, and regular training in the horse racing arena. All of these stages are completed by youngsters with supervision of professionals or parents. Past research have shown that horseback riding may be used as a physical motor therapy intervention for children with special needs, such as autism and down syndrome.

Attitudes of the Equestrian Public towards Equine End-of-Life Decisions.

Simple SummaryDelayed death has been identified as a key welfare concern for the U.K. horse population, leading to prolonged suffering. Previous studies have identified common reasons for delaying euthanasia, including financial cost, emotional attachment, peer pressure, negative attitudes towards killing and poor recognition of behavioural indicators of equine pain and stress. The Five Freedoms is a welfare framework that can be used to assess quality of life. We used this framework to create a survey, compiling a list of hypothetical—yet common—scenarios that would have an impact on the overall quality of life of a horse. Participants were asked to indicate to what extent each scenario would have a bearing on an overall decision whether or not to euthanise a horse, or whether it would have had no bearing at all. Participants were also asked if they had had a horse euthanised and to give the reason for such a decision. We received responses from 160 participants and found that the predominant attitude was that most scenarios had no bearing on a decision to euthanise. Principal Component Analysis collected the scenarios into a series of factors that could be labeled according to their themes, the most prominent of which were “Ethology-informed Management”, “Traditional Management”, “Emotional issues” and “Physical Issues”. Participants were most likely to consider euthanasia for physical issues and this was supported by the experiences of participants who had had their horses euthanised. Only a small number of responses also included consideration of affective and/or ethological factors, suggesting that welfare issues concerning affective state and/or behaviour are at risk of being omitted from an end-of-life decision.A key welfare concern for the equine population in the U.K. has been identified as delayed death, leading to prolonged suffering of horses. Reasons why some horse owners fail to have their horses euthanised include financial cost, emotional attachment, peer pressure, negative attitudes towards killing and poor recognition of behavioural indicators of equine pain and stress. The Five Freedoms framework of welfare was used to build a Likert-style survey to investigate the factors underlying attitudes of horse owners towards welfare measures in an end-of-life decision. Participants were asked to respond to hypothetical welfare scenarios and to give details of any horses they had had euthanised. The survey was conducted predominantly via equestrian Facebook groups and obtained 160 participant responses. Reliability of the scale was acceptable, with Cronbach’s . Principal Component Analysis was used to load the hypothetical scenarios onto seven factors containing 62.2% of the variance. The first four factors could be categorized according to “Ethology-informed Management”, “Traditional Horse Management”, “Emotional Issues” and “Physical Issues”. Participants were more likely to consider euthanasia for physical issues, compared with issues relating to affective state and/or ethology, although it was not clear whether this was due to disregard for welfare issues relating to mental health or failure to recognise them as such. A large number of responses stated that the scenario had no bearing on whether a horse should be euthanised, again suggesting a lack of recognition of welfare issues and their implications. When asked to state their reasons for euthanising their horses, participants cited almost exclusively physical reasons, with the exception of those citing dangerous behaviour. Only a small number of responses also included consideration of affective and/or ethological factors, suggesting that welfare issues concerning affective state and/or behaviour are at risk of omission from end-of-life decisions.

Prevalence and degree of gastrointestinal nematode infection of horses (Equus caballus) used as public transport in Mataram city, Indonesia

Horses of Equus caballus species which are used as public transportation in the form of Cidomo (traditional horse cart) in Mataram City need to be considered about their welfare and health. A common problem in horses is gastrointestinal nematode worms that can induce negative health effects on horses. Furthermore, the infective larvae of nematodes can survive in the environment under optimum conditions of temperature and humidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and degree of infection of gastrointestinal nematodes in horses used as public transportation (Cidomo) in Mataram City. The cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2020 to collect feces of Cidomo horses at 8 traditional markets in Mataram City. A total of 131 feces of horses as Cidomo were taken directly from the rectum of Cidomo horses by the purposive method. The Morphology, prevalence of nematode egg, and Egg per gram (EPG) for a degree of infection were used examined using the floating McMaster technique. Morphological data and the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in horses (Equus caballus) as Cidomo were presented descriptively, and the EPG value was analyzed by the Anova test, while the degree of infection has been categorized as low, medium, and high levels. The eggs of gastrointestinal nematodes (Trichosstrongylus spp, Strongylus spp, and Capillaria spp) have been found in feces of horses as Cidomo at 8 traditional markets in Mataram City with a prevalence of 74.04% (97/131). The EPG value of the gastrointestinal nematode of feces of horses as Cidomo between 8 traditional markets in Mataram City showed no significant difference with p > 0.05 (p-value = 0.227). Overall the degree of infection of gastrointestinal nematodes in horses (Equus caballus) as Cidomo in Mataram City was a medium level with a mean value of EPG = 547.628 ± 82.059 The results showed that the gastrointestinal nematodes have been infected horses as Cidomo in 8 traditional markets in Mataram City with a medium level of infection degree.

Research on the Current Situation and Practice of the Integration of National Traditional Horse Racing Festival and Tourism

National traditional sports events carry the task of developing the history and culture of ethnic minorities and are the soul of the development of tourism. National traditional sports events, cultural industries, and tourism industries interact and intersect each other, and the three are integrated and developed. The national traditional sports tourism industry is an important development direction for developing local culture, improving the tourism industry, promoting economic restructuring, and leveraging the local economy. The integration of national traditional sports and tourism is a new growth point for the national economy, which is not only conducive to the improvement of the local economic level, but also improves the development of the industrial structure, thereby promoting the sound development of the national traditional sports industry. In view of this, this research focuses on an in-depth and systematic study of the current situation and practice of the integration of national traditional horse racing festival and tourism, mainly discussing the following six aspects: The first is the analysis of the necessity of the integration of national traditional sports and tourism. The second is the analysis of the mechanism power, policy support and economic basis for the integration and development of national traditional horse racing and tourism. The third is the analysis of the development of Tibetan horse racing festival. The fourth is the analysis on the value and predicaments of the integrated development of Tibetan horse racing festival and tourism. The fifth is a case study of the practice of integrated development of Tibetan horse racing festival and tourism

Purification of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from horse gluteal muscle

We have analyzed protein expression and enzyme activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-transporting ATPase (SERCA) in horse gluteal muscle. Horses exhibit a high incidence of recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis, with myosolic Ca2+ proposed, but yet to be established, as the underlying cause. To better assess Ca2+ regulatory mechanisms, we developed an improved protocol for isolating sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles from horse skeletal muscle, based on mechanical homogenization and optimized parameters for differential centrifugation. Immunoblotting identified the peak subcellular fraction containing the SERCA1 protein (fast-twitch isoform). Gel analysis using the Stains-all dye demonstrated that calsequestrin (CASQ) and phospholipids are highly enriched in the SERCA-containing subcellular fraction isolated from horse gluteus. Immunoblotting also demonstrated that these horse SR vesicles show low content of glycogen phosphorylase (GP), which is likely an abundant contaminating protein of traditional horse SR preps. The maximal Ca2+-activated ATPase activity (Vmax) of SERCA in horse SR vesicles isolated using this protocol is 5‒25-fold greater than previously-reported SERCA activity in SR preps from horse skeletal muscle. We propose that this new protocol for isolating SR vesicles will be useful for determining enzymatic parameters of horse SERCA with high fidelity, plus assessing regulatory effect of SERCA peptide subunit(s) expressed in horse muscle.

Dairy pastoralism sustained eastern Eurasian steppe populations for 5,000 years.

Dairy pastoralism is integral to contemporary and past lifeways on the Eastern Eurasian Steppe, facilitating survival in agriculturally challenging environments. While previous research has indicated that ruminant dairy pastoralism was practiced in the region by c. 1300 BC, the origin, extent and diversity of this custom remains poorly understood. Here we analyze ancient proteins from human dental calculus recovered from geographically diverse locations across Mongolia and spanning 5,000 years in time. We present the earliest evidence for dairy consumption on the Eastern Eurasian Steppe by c. 3000 BC, and the later emergence of horse milking at c. 1200 BC, concurrent with the first evidence for horse riding. We argue that ruminant dairying contributed to the demographic success of Bronze Age Mongolian populations, and that the origins of traditional horse dairy products in Eastern Eurasia are closely tied to the regional emergence of mounted herding societies during the late second millennium BC.

Natural enzyme-free colorimetric immunoassay for human chorionic gonadotropin detection based on the Ag+-triggered catalytic activity of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-coated gold nanoparticles

The usage of nanozyme as label to establish immunoassays offers merits of low cost and high robustness. However, the catalytic activity of nanozyme is usually passivized by the modified layer of bio-recognition molecules. The peroxidase-mimicking activity of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@CTAB) is recovered by Ag+ ions. Herein, AuNPs@CTAB with Ag+-triggered catalytic activity was first designed as signal transducer to construct colorimetric immunoassay for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) detection. Silver nanoparticles were used as labels which can release numerous Ag+ ions by hydrogen peroxide corrosion and thus enhance the catalytic activity of AuNPs@CTAB. To achieve the highest detection sensitivity, we synthesized three kinds of AuNPs@CTAB with similar size but different shapes including nanospheres (AuNSs@CTAB), nanorods (AuNRs@CTAB), and nanocubes (AuNCs@CTAB). The morphology-dependent catalytic properties of AuNPs@CTAB were evaluated. Under optimum conditions, the proposed method using AuNSs@CTAB, AuNRs@CTAB and AuNCs@CTAB using AuNSs@CTAB, AuNRs@CTAB and AuNCs@CTAB gave LOD of 7.8, 15.6 and 31.2 mIU/mL, respectively. The developed immunoassays also showed good accuracy, high reproducibility and high robustness for detecting HCG in serum samples. In summary, the developed immunoassay is a promising bioanalysis platform which can provide similar sensitivity and enhanced robustness compared with traditional horse radish peroxidase-based immunoassays.

The Influence of Railways on the Economy of the North East of the Don Host Region (60s – 90s of the 19th Century)

Introduction. The article deals with the issue of the influence of the railways built in the 1860s – 1890s in the northeast of the Don Cossack Host Region on the economic development of this region. Methods. Published reports of railway joint-stock companies and archival statistical materials, observations of contemporaries show that this influence was ambiguous. Analysis and results. Gryaz-Tsaritsyn railway, which passed through the densely populated and fertile areas of Khopyorsky and Ust-Medveditsky districts, had the most positive impact on the economy. As a result, grain and livestock production significantly increased, agricultural marketability increased, old major trade and industry centers (Uryupinskaya stanitsa) were developing and new ones (Mikhaylovka sloboda, Privokzalny khutor) appeared. At the same time, the very first Volga-Don railway was mainly transit and had no noticeable impact on the development of the surrounding area, except for Kalach terminal station. Tsaritsyn- Tikhoretsk and East-Donetsk railways passed through the sparsely populated and infertile margin of the region, far from large settlements. Their influence on the local economy at first was rather negative and led to the collapse of the traditional horse carriage. The old trade centers, Nizhne-Chirskaya stanitsa and Kalach-on-Don khutor, were put in unfavorable conditions, which led to the slowdown in their development and the outflow of goods and traders to Oblivskaya and Morozovskaya railway stations.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD TRHOUGH HORSE RACING AT DOMPU TRIBE

This study aims to examine the role of traditional horse racing games in the tribes of the Dompu tribe, Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative approach with ethnographic methods. The subjects of the study were five young jockeys aged 4-8 years and seven horse owners. Data were collected through observation, interviews, documentation and focus group discussion (FGD). Data were analyzed using domain analysis techniques, taxonomic analysis, componential analysis and theme analysis. The results of the study indicate that the transformation of enviromental education in early childhood through horse racing games is done by growing children's concern for the environment and caring for animals, such as horses. During the process of horse racing, children are not permitted to damage nature and hurt animals. Therefore, horse racing becomes a means of enviromental education for children for the sake of the preservation of nature. Horse racing is also one of the most environmentally cared tourist destinations for local people. Another important finding is that the traditional horse racing game in the Dompu tribe has become a medium of transformation of enviromental education of for early childhood. This study informs that the transformation of environmental education can be done since children are aged 4 years through traditional horse racing games. This research can also be a reference for early childhood education practitioners to create a special school for children who have a hobby of riding horses.

Evaluation of a Novel System for Linear Conformation, Gait, and Personality Trait Scoring and Automatic Ranking of Horses at Breed Shows: A Pilot Study in American Quarter Horses

The study compared results of the traditional horse judging system (T) using subjective grades with those of a novel system of linear scoring (LS) using an application (“Breed Show App”). The horse's quality in relation to the total breeding aim was evaluated based on weighting factors for 57 individual traits commonly regarded in T, thus allowing immediate ranking of the horses. Results were stated as total grade in percent for both systems. One thousand nine hundred nine American Quarter horses were judged at regular breed shows with either T (n = 883), LS (n = 1,026), or both systems (n = 17). In addition, suitable traits for personality evaluation using LS were selected (n = 559 horses). Mixed-model analysis (F-test throughout) and Pearson correlations were used to assess agreement between systems and to identify highly correlated personality traits. Mean total grade was slightly greater in T (83.3 ± 0.2%) than LS (81.7 ± 0.3, P < .0001). Overall grades showed a wider range with LS, thus likely better reflecting phenotypic variance and improving comparability between horses without affecting overall horse ranking (r = 0.95, P < .00001) and thresholds for licensing minimum standards. Most personality traits deviated from a normal distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov: P < .01), potentially indicating that genetic or phenotypic preselection took place in the participating horses. Foals that were perceived as more “bright” by the observers kept a larger distance from their dam (r = 0.4) and showed more exploration of the environment (r = 0.2, all P < .01). Especially with more complex traits, including personality traits, variation of results and thus possibilities for differentiating between horses seem to be increased in horse judging using LS.

Genetic diversity and population structure of three traditional horse breeds of Bhutan based on 29 DNA microsatellite markers.

The genetic variability and population structure of three Bhutanese traditional horse breeds were assessed through genotyping of 74 horses (Boeta 25, Sharta 14 and Yuta 35) for 29 microsatellite DNA loci. Altogether, 282 alleles were detected across 29 polymorphic loci. The allelic diversity (NE) (Boeta 4.94; Sharta 4.65; Yuta 5.30) and gene diversities (HE) (Boeta 0.78; Sharta 0.77; Yuta 0.79) were high. None of the breeds deviated significantly from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no sign of significant population bottleneck for all the breeds. The inbreeding estimates (FIS) of the breeds were low (Boeta 0.023; Sharta 0.001; Yuta 0.021). Analysis of molecular variance showed 0.6% of the total genetic variation among breeds, 1.9% among individuals and 97.5% within individuals. The global FIT, FST, and FIS estimates for the population were 0.025, 0.006 and 0.019 respectively. The analysis of population structure failed to distinguish subpopulations in traditional horses and this was supported by a high genetic exchange among the breeds. Overall, the results of this study suggest a rich genetic diversity in the traditional horse despite a very low genetic differentiation among the breeds in Bhutan.