• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.245-247
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• 2019

Taylorella equigenitalis (T. equigenitalis), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) are sexually transmittable bacteria known to cause venereal diseases (VD) in horses. T. equigenitalis causes contagious equine metritis (CEM), which is a considerable concern for equine breeding industry. K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa may cause endometritis and infertility in susceptible mares. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of these bacteria among breeding Thoroughbreds in South Korea. External genital swabs were collected from 178 breeding Thoroughbreds, including 11 stallions and 167 mares. The samples were tested using a commercial multiplex real-time PCR kit. T. equigenitalis, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae were present in 5.6%, 7.3%, and 5.6% of tested Thoroughbreds, respectively. The results highlight the need for regular testing of South Korean Thoroughbreds, particularly those used for breeding, for these bacteria. The regular pre-breeding test for these bacteria will prevent health complications for the horse and financial losses for the owner as a result of VD.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.28.1-28.6
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• 2014

This study was conducted to estimate the effective population size using SNPs data of 240 Jeju horses that had raced at the Jeju racing park. Of the total 61,746 genotyped autosomal SNPs, 17,320 (28.1%) SNPs (missing genotype rate of >10%, minor allele frequency of <0.05 and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test P-value of < $10^{-6}$) were excluded after quality control processes. SNPs on the X and Y chromosomes and genotyped individuals with missing genotype rate over 10% were also excluded, and finally, 44,426 (71.9%) SNPs were selected and used for the analysis. The measures of the LD, square of correlation coefficient ($r^2$) between SNP pairs, were calculated for each allele and the effective population size was determined based on $r^2$ measures. The polymorphism information contents (PIC) and expected heterozygosity (HE) were 0.27 and 0.34, respectively. In LD, the most rapid decline was observed over the first 1 Mb. But $r^2$ decreased more slowly with increasing distance and was constant after 2 Mb of distance and the decline was almost linear with log-transformed distance. The average $r^2$ between adjacent SNP pairs ranged from 0.20 to 0.31 in each chromosome and whole average was 0.26, while the whole average $r^2$ between all SNP pairs was 0.02. We observed an initial pattern of decreasing $N_e$ and estimated values were closer to 41 at 1 ~ 5 generations ago. The effective population size (41 heads) estimated in this study seems to be large considering Jeju horse's population size (about 2,000 heads), but it should be interpreted with caution because of the technical limitations of the methods and sample size.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.515-521
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• 2011

There are increasing demands for the producing and breeding new domestic riding horses for the vitalizations of horse riding industry in Korea, according as 'Horse Industry Support Act' became. In this study, we were to develop the functional relation through the conformation comparison & body composition analysis. 76 heads of 5 breeds utilized for riding horses in Korea were used and their body measurements on 12 items were measured and cluster analysis was conducted to determine the correlation relation among them. The measurements were standardized that (height, croup height, pelvis length), and (hip width, width of pelvis) were highly correlated. In these results of the decision tree, we confirmed to classify the breed type determination by their body measurements (hip height, hip width, head length, croup height). This result can be used as basic data for the development of horse type determination (racing, riding, Riding for the Disabled, Working, or fattening) through the analysis of body composition, and be utilized as the basic data for the producing and breeding new domestic riding horses through the 3D Stereosocpic image system analyze.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.325-330
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• 2013

Providing an adequate environment for horses is important to minimize the level of stress for domesticated horses. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the effect of living conditions on stress level of horses, 2) to observe the effect of one month confinement on self-maintenance behavior and stereotypic behavior of horses. The experiment was conducted at National Institute of Animal Science, Equine Field Station (Seonghwan-eup, Korea). Horses were staying in the paddock prior to the experiment. On day 1, five horses were randomly selected and housed in metal fence panels stall. Six horses remained in the same paddock. The ratio of neutrophil to lymphocyte (on day 15) and cortisol (on day 1 and 29) from stalled horses were significantly higher than horses in the paddock. Duration or frequency of self-maintenance behaviors such as feeding, drinking, resting, walking was not significantly different between day 1 and day 29. However, the frequency of urination significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 29 compared with day 1. The frequency of stereotypic behaviors was not different between day 1 and 29. Our data indicate that horses may be more stabled when they are staying in the paddock rather than staying in the stall, but the stress level of horses in the stall during one month confinement was not effective for horses to adapt stereotypic behavior. In conclusion, providing an adequate environment and stress-less horse management techniques can minimize the stress level of horses.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.8
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• pp.355-363
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• 2017

Jeju-do was designated as the 'first horse industry special zone' in 2014, followed by additional designation of horse industry special zones in Icheon, Yongin of Gyeonggi-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2015. As a result, horses have become no more synonymous with Jeju-do. Jeju-do may see its competitive edge becoming blunt, compared to other local governments, due to its environmental characteristics and accessibility. The Korean proverb, "Send people to Seoul and horses to Jeju-do", has become an old saying that does not match reality. However, Jeju-do, designated as the first horse industry special zone, is expected to play a leading role in cultivation of domestic horse industry and faces a challenge of creating exemplary cases of success in transforming horse industry into the senary (6th) industry. In addition, KRW 114.2 billion is planned to be invested into 35 projects covering 9 sectors, including supply of elite domestic racing horses, expansion of demand basis for horse-riding, cultivation of horse meat industry, etc., by 2017 as envisioned by the horse industry special zone promotion plan. Despite expansion of facilities and demand base for horse-riding, those at the sites point out that government support at policy level has not come home to their hearts and criticism has been mounting that project efficiency remains low. Factors hindering the growth of horse industry, which have come to the fore, include inadequate supply of horse-riding facilities, limitation to expansion of demand for horse-riding, etc., due to excessive regulation. Advancement of horse industry requires wide-ranging deregulation on investment related to horse industry, including horse breeding and horse-riding facility installation, etc. Regulation which is deemed to be the biggest stumbling block to advancement of horse industry is related to the regulation requiring formation of farmland at horse-riding facilities in farming and fishery villages. Along with improvement in such regulations, horse-riding facilities without license should be legalized to promote qualitative growth of horse-riding industry. Moreover, efforts should be made to develop and deploy instructors with horse-riding license in order to develop horse-riding into a full-fledged leisure beyond simple experience auxiliary to tourism, thus ensuring that people can enjoy leisure style horse-riding regularly in safe and healthy manners. It would be necessary to add fresh momentum into efforts to turn Jeju-do into the hub of well-being leisure horse-riding by pooling our wisdom.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.3 s.70
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• pp.474-478
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• 2005

This study was conducted to analyze genetic characteristics and to develop the specific marker for Cheju native horse (Coo) at the level of sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs). We collected blood samples from Cheju native horse and Thoroughbred horse (Th) and obtained genomic DNA from the blood of 50 individuals randomly selected within the breeds. Seven hundred primers were chosen randomly and were used to examin the polymorphism and 40 kinds of primers showed polymorphic RAPD band patterns between two breeds. Thirty primers of them showed horse specific bands. With the primer MG 30, amplified band of 2.0 kb showed the specificity to Cheju native horse (Cnh). Additionally MG 53 detected the thoroughbred horse (Th) specific markers at size of 2.3 kb. As the next, 2.3 kb band from MG 53 was checked with the all individuals from all the breeds of this study, and it maintained the reproducible breed specificity to thoroughbred horse (Th). With this results, 2.3 kb band was cloned into plasmid vector and sequenced bidirectionally from both ends of the cloned fragment. With the obtained sequences 10 nucleotide extended primers including the original arbitray primer were designed as a SCARs primer. Finally, the primer with extended sequence showed the reproducible breed differentiation pattern and it was possible to identify Cheju native horse (Cnh) from other breeds. The SCARs marker 2.3 kb from MG 53 could be used to identify Cheju native horse (Cnh) for not only registration but also horse breeding programe.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1590-1599
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigates the expression patterns of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and intracellular mediators in horse muscle cells after exercise, and the relationship between TLRS expression in stressed horse muscle cells and immune cell migration toward them. Methods: The expression patterns of the TLRs (TLR2, TLR4, and TLR8) and downstream signaling pathway-related genes (myeloid differentiation primary response 88 [MYD88]; activating transcription factor 3 [ATF3]) are examined in horse tissues, and horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and muscles in response to exercise, using the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Expressions of chemokine receptor genes, i.e., C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), are studied in PBMCs and PMNs. A horse muscle cell line is developed by transfecting SV-T antigen into fetal muscle cells, followed by examination of muscle-specific genes. Horse muscle cells are treated with stressors, i.e., cortisol, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and heat, to mimic stress conditions in vitro, and the expression of TLR4 and TLR8 are examined in stressed muscle cells, in addition to migration activity of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells. Results: The qPCR revealed that TLR4 message was expressed in cerebrum, cerebellum, thymus, lung, liver, kidney, and muscle, whereas TLR8 expressed in thymus, lung, and kidney, while TLR2 expressed in thymus, lung, and kidney. Expressions of TLRs, i.e., TLR4 and TLR8, and mediators, i.e., MYD88 and ATF3, were upregulated in muscle, PBMCs and PMNs in response to exercise. Expressions of CXCR2 and CCR5 were also upregulated in PBMCs and PMNs after exercise. In the muscle cell line, TLR4 and TLR8 expressions were upregulated when cells were treated with stressors such as cortisol, H₂O₂, and heat. Migration of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells was increased by exercise and oxidative stresses, and combinations of these. Treatment with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an antioxidant on stressed muscle cells, reduced migration of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells. Conclusion: In this study, we have successfully cultured horse skeletal muscle cells, isolated horse PBMCs, and established an in vitro system for studying stress-related gene expressions and function. Expression of TLR4, TLR8, CXCR2, and CCR5 in horse muscle cells was higher in response to stressors such as cortisol, H₂O₂, and heat, or combinations of these. In addition, migration of PBMCs toward muscle cells was increased when muscle cells were under stress, but inhibition of reactive oxygen species by MSM modulated migratory activity of PBMCs to stressed muscle cells. Further study is necessary to investigate the biological function(s) of the TLR gene family in horse muscle cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.771-781
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• 2015

Thoroughbred, a relatively recent horse breed, is best known for its use in horse racing. Although myostatin (MSTN) variants have been reported to be highly associated with horse racing performance, the trait is more likely to be polygenic in nature. The purpose of this study was to identify genetic variants strongly associated with racing performance by using estimated breeding value (EBV) for race time as a phenotype. We conducted a two-stage genome-wide association study to search for genetic variants associated with the EBV. In the first stage of genome-wide association study, a relatively large number of markers (~54,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) were evaluated in a small number of samples (240 horses). In the second stage, a relatively small number of markers identified to have large effects (170 SNPs) were evaluated in a much larger number of samples (1,156 horses). We also validated the SNPs related to MSTN known to have large effects on racing performance and found significant associations in the stage two analysis, but not in stage one. We identified 28 significant SNPs related to 17 genes. Among these, six genes have a function related to myogenesis and five genes are involved in muscle maintenance. To our knowledge, these genes are newly reported for the genetic association with racing performance of Thoroughbreds. It complements a recent horse genome-wide association studies of racing performance that identified other SNPs and genes as the most significant variants. These results will help to expand our knowledge of the polygenic nature of racing performance in Thoroughbreds.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.87-109
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• 2019

In the Iranian epic $K{\bar{u}}shn{\bar{a}}ma$, there is a rather interesting story that recounts how the inhabitants of $B.s{\bar{i}}l\bar{a}$ cross-breed their domesticated horses with a magical horse living in the sea in order to obtain fine-bred ones. What is even more interesting is that similar accounts are also seen in many of other classical Perso-Arabic works and Chinese sources. The regions that such events took place in mainly spread over Central Asia and western China while in $K{\bar{u}}shn{\bar{a}}ma$, the story happens in $B.s{\bar{i}}l\bar{a}$, a legendary kingdom with its historical prototype being Silla. By sorting out certain records of how ancient people sought fine horses by cross-breeding domesticated horses with wild horses that inhabited mountains and waters within Chinese sources and classical Muslim works, and comparing these accounts with similar plot lines as depicted in $K{\bar{u}}shn{\bar{a}}ma$, this paper attempts to elucidate that the story in $K{\bar{u}}shn{\bar{a}}ma$ is a result of flourishing land and maritime exchanges between East Asia and West Asia during ancient and medieval times, rather than a purely literary fiction. It was not only influenced by the horse culture that thrived over the Eurasian Steppe, but the story is also coincidentally in accordance with the fact that the nomadic zone which lies within the central Eurasian continent extends as far as the Korean Peninsula in northeast Asia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1090-1094
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• 2015

The aim of the study was to select traits that may constitute a prospective criterion for breeding value prediction of young horses. The results of 1,232 starts of 894 four-, five-, six-, and seven-year-old horses, obtained during jumping championships for young horses which had not been evaluated in, alternative to championships, training centres were analyed. Nine traits were chosen of those recorded: ranking in the championship, elimination (y/n), conformation, rating of style on day one, two, and three, and penalty points on day one, two, and three of a championship. (Co)variance components were estimated via the Gibbs sampling procedure and adequate (co)variance component ratios were calculated. Statistical classifications were trait dependent but all fitted random additive genetic and permanent environment effects. It was found that such characteristics as penalty points and jumping style are potential indicators of jumping ability, and the genetic variability of the traits was within the range of 14% to 27%. Given the low genetic correlations between the conformation and other results achieved on the parkour, the relevance of assessment of conformation in four-years-old horses has been questioned.