• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1345-1352
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• 2016

The hindgut of horses is an anaerobic fermentative chamber for a complex and dynamic microbial population, which plays a critical role in health and energy requirements. Research on the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses has not been reported until now as far as we know. Mongolian horse is a major local breed in China. We performed high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes V4 hypervariable regions from gut fecal material to characterize the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses and compare them to the microbiota in Thoroughbred horses. Fourteen Mongolian and 19 Thoroughbred horses were used in the study. A total of 593,678 sequence reads were obtained from 33 samples analyzed, which were found to belong to 16 phyla and 75 genera. The bacterial community compositions were similar for the two breeds. Firmicutes (56% in Mongolian horses and 53% in Thoroughbred horses) and Bacteroidetes (33% and 32% respectively) were the most abundant and predominant phyla followed by Spirochaete, Verrucomicrobia, Proteobacteria, and Fibrobacteres. Of these 16 phyla, five (Synergistetes, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, TM7, and Chloroflexi) were significantly different (p<0.05) between the two breeds. At the genus level, Treponema was the most abundant genus (43% in Mongolian horses vs 29% in Thoroughbred horses), followed by Ruminococcus, Roseburia, Pseudobutyrivibrio, and Anaeroplasma, which were detected in higher distribution proportion in Mongolian horses than in Thoroughbred horses. In contrast, Oscillibacter, Fibrobacter, Methanocorpusculum, and Succinivibrio levels were lower in Mongolian horses. Among 75 genera, 30 genera were significantly different (p<0.05) between the two breeds. We found that the environment was one of very important factors that influenced horse gut microbiota. These findings provide novel information about the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses and a foundation for future investigations of gut bacterial factors that may influence the development and progression of gastrointestinal disease in horses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.784-788
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• 2006

Microsatellite polymorphism and the genetic relationship were estimated using genotype information of 305 horses from 11 microsatellite loci. The breeds include the indigenous Korean breeds, Korean native horse (102) and Jeju racing horse (56) together with Japan Hokkaido horse (5), Mongolian horse (19), Thoroughbred horse (108), Quarter horse (11) and Przewalskii horse (4). Allelic frequencies, the number of alleles per locus were estimated by direct counting from observed genotype, and genetic variability was computed using the CERVUX software and DISPAN. The number of alleles per locus varied from 6 (HMS6) to 18 (ASB17) with an average value of 10.45 in horse breeds. The expected total heterozygosity ($H_T$) and coefficient of gene differentiation ($G_{ST}$) ranged 0.764-0.921 (the average value was 0.830) and 0.102-0.266 (the average value was 0.180) in horse breeds, respectively. Four populations (Przewalskii horse, Japan Hokkaido horse, Quarter horse, Thoroughbred horse) showed lower heterozygosity than the average value (the average value was 0.710). The expected heterozygosity within breed ($H_S$) and mean no. of observed alleles ranged from $0.636{\pm}0.064$ (Japan Hokkaido horse) to $0.809{\pm}0.019$ (Mongolian horse), and from 2.73 (Przewalskii horse) to 8.27 (Korean native horse), respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.490 (Przewalskii horse) to 0.761 (Mongolian horse) with an average value of 0.637 in horse breeds. The results showed three distinct clusters with high bootstrap support: the Korean native horse cluster (Korean native horse, Mongolian horse), the European cluster (Przewalskii horse, Thoroughbred horse), and other horse cluster (Jeju racing horse, Japan Hokkaido horse, and Quarter horse). A relatively high bootstrap value was observed for the Korean native horse cluster and European cluster (87%), and the Korean native horse and Mongolian horse (82%). Microsatellite polymorphism data were shown to be useful for estimating the genetic relationship between Korean native horse and other horse breeds, and also be applied for parentage testing in those horse breeds.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1696-1702
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• 2008

In order to learn the origin of the Chinese Mongolian horse, we analyzed polymorphisms within the mtDNA D-loop variable region in 305 horses of 6 types of 3 different breeds, including one imported breed, one cultivated breed and 4 types of one local breed. We detected 13 different haplotypes, and subsequent sequence analysis showed that all 6 horse types were genetically diverse. By constructing a cladogram of mtDNA D-loop sequences from the 6 horse types along with homologous sequences from several other horse types obtained from GenBank, we showed that Chinese Mongolian horses have a close genetic relationship with other horse types from Mongolia. We also speculate that several Chinese Mongolian horses descended from Przewalskii horse. Additionally, the 13 haplotypes were dispersed throughout the cladogram, suggesting that Chinese Mongolian horses likely originated from multiple female ancestors. A phylogenetic map of the 6 horse types showed that the genetic relationship between the local Wuzhumuqin and Wushen types were the closest. The Xinihe and Baerhu were also closely related to each other, and slightly more distantly related to the cultivated Sanhe breed. All five of the local Chinese horse types had a much more distant relationship with the imported Thoroughbred breed.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2004

To investigate genetic features and the allele distribution of transferrin gene in three Cheju horse groups (group I, 137 horses of Jeju institute; group II, 107 horses of farms; group III, 89 racing horses) and three foreign breeds(l03 Thoroughbred, 10 Mongolian and 5 American Quarter horses), transferrin gene exons 13, 15, and 16 were analyzed by SSCP. The allele frequencies of transferrin gene of these groups and breeds were used to calculate genetic distances and to test population differentiations. The Fst values were 0.067 between Cheju horse groups I and II, 0.070 between Cheju horse groups I and group III, 0.091 between Cheju horse group I and Mongolian breed, and 0.189 between Cheju horse group I and Thoroughbred breed. Cheju horse group I showed significant population differentiation from other two Cheju horse groups and three foreign breeds while Cheju horse group III showed significant population differentiation only from Cheju horse group I and Thoroughbred breed(p <0.05). Results indicate that three Cheju horse groups showed population differentiation between each other, suggesting genetic heterogeneity of Cheju horses.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1226-1236
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• 2022

Mongolian horses are one of the oldest horse breeds, and are very important livestock in Mongolia as they are used in various fields such as transportation, food (milk, meat), and horse racing. In addition, research and preservation on pure Mongolian breeds are being promoted under the implementation of the new Genetics of Livestock Resources' act in Mongolia. However, despite the implementation of this act, genetic research on Mongolian horses using microsatellites (MS) has not progressed enough. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the genetic polymorphism of five breeds (Gobi shankh, Tes, Gal shar, Darkhad, and Undurshil) using 14 MS markers recommended by International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). The mean number of alleles (MNA) was 8.29, expected heterozygosity frequency (H_Exp) was 0.767, observed heterozygosity frequency (H_Obs) was 0.752, and polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.729. The Nei's genetic distance analysis showed that the genetic distance between Gobi shankh and Darkhad horses was the farthest, and the other three breeds, Tes, Gal shar, and Undurshil were found to be close to each other. Similarly, the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) showed that the Gobi shankh and Darkhad horses were genetically distinct from other breeds. On the other hand, it appears that Tes, Gal shar, and Undurshil horses, which are genetically similar, most likely interbred with each other. Therefore, it is expected that these results will help the conservation of genetic resources in Mongolia and the establishment of policies related to Mongolian horses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.696-701
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to investigate the redcell types of horse breeds. A total of 210 horses (73 Korean native horses, 118 crossbreed horses, and 19 Mongolian horses) were tested a redcell types by serological procedure, and their phenotypes and gene frequencies were estimated. The blood groups phenotypes observed with highest frequency were Aa (27.4%, 63.6%, 63.2%), Ca (97.3%, 94.9%, 89.5%), K- (97.3%, 99.2%, 84.2%), Pa (39.7%, 44.9%, 42.1%), and Ua (71.2%, 70.3%, 63.2%) in the Korean native horse, crossbreed horse, and Mongolian horse, respectively. In the D system and Q system, phenotypes observed with highest frequency were Dbcm/dghm (12.3%), Dbcm/cgm (14.4%), Dcgm/dghm (15.8%), and Qc (56.2%), Qabc (36.4%), Qc (31.6%) in the Korean native horse, crossbreed horse, and Mongolian horse, respectively Alleles observed with highest frequency were A- (0.287), Ca(0.827), Ddghm (0.226), K- (0.985), Pa (0.358), Qc (0.494), U-(0.529) in the Korean native horse, Aa (0.529), Ca (0.776), Dbcm (0.306), K- (0.995), P- (0.531), Q- (0.504), U- (0.548) in crossbreed horse, and Aa (0.421), Ca (0.895), Ddghm (0.421), K- (0.842), Pa (0.447), Qc (0.448), Ua (0.632) in Mongolian horse. Dcfgk and D- alleles were not detected in these horses. These results present basic information for estimating the genetic relationships between the Korean native horse, and developing a system for parentage verification and individual identification in these horses.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2021

Halla horse is crossbreed between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses and is used for riding, racing and meat production. Thus, molecular genetic studies are needed to establish and preserve the industrially valuable Halla horses. This study aimed to analyses the genetic diversity and population structure through 12 microsatellite (MS) markers for Halla and putatively related 3 breeds (Jeju, Mongolian and Thoroughbred horses). On average, the number of alleles, observed heterozygosity (H_obs), expected heterozygosity (H_exp), and polymorphic information content (PIC) among all horses were 10, 0.767, 0.799, and 0.771, respectively. Neighbor-joining tree and STRUCTURE analysis showed that Halla horses were between Thoroughbred and Jeju horses, tend to more influenced by Thoroughbred horses. Therefore, these results could be considered for use as the basic genetic breed relationships resource among the horse breeds (Jeju, Mongolian, and Thoroughbred horses) related to the origins of the Halla horse.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2001

It is said that the highlights of Naadam festival, the biggest festival of the year in Mongolia, are three athletic contests: wrestling, horse racing, and archery, where contestants display their courage, strength, dexterity, and marksmanship. This paper explores the characteristics of the uniforms worn in such athletic events The findings are as follows. First, wrestlers' costume is completely unique in that it consists of shuudag, snug shorts, zodog, a jacket with sleeves but with no front, a traditional hat, and gutul, traditional boots. The main material used in the costume is several pieces of embroidered red or blue silk. Second, horse riders, usually young children lighter than the adults in weight, wear a bright, colorful, and comfortable uniform of a simple jacket and a pants. Third, archers' mostly put on their traditional costume, deel and hats. The hats are of two kinds: the traditional ones or the European-style ones for men, which were introduced around 1930s.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.35
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• pp.185-214
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• 2014

This paper presents an investigation into the forms of master archer Huhdai Mergen from Mongolian mythology and his character through archery. In Mongolian mythology, master archer Huhdai Mergen is usually connected to the regulation of the sun, the moon, and the stars in Heaven and the creation of stars. Such a series of acts are conducted through archery, which used to be performed as an incantatory ritual to resolve a disaster in life, dispel an evil spirit, and pray for affluence as well as for hunting. In Mongolian mythology, Huhdai Mergen is a master archer and hunter that rises to Heaven while hunting a deer and becomes Sirius with the deer becoming Orion. The Mongolian have believed that the two constellations protect them since ancient times. While Orion is related to the deer totem, Huhdai Mergen or Sirius is related to the wolf totem faith. Huhdai Mergen takes too much pride in his archery skills and ends up causing damage to himself, which can be understood as a pattern of controlling the power of personified Huhdai Mergen through excessive natural force. He also has something to do with Polaris, which is regarded as the stake to bind his horse to by the Mongolian. They also believe that their ancestral gods reside in the horse stake or column. The stake is the residence of Huhdai Mergen protecting the Mongolian people, which reflects his aspect as an ancestral god. He is also depicted as the god of thunder and lightning born in a cow. The stones he throws and the arrows he shoots in Heaven are the embodiments of thunder and lightning. The Mongolian have understood lightning of dispelling an evil spirit and striking wicked things as the arrow of Huhdai Mergen. The god of thunder and lightning has the attributes of a fertility god such as eliminating bad devils and bringing affluence. Huhdai Mergen is also manifested as the creator to create the earth and the savior to save mankind. Such forms all derive from his archery skills.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.55 no.7 s.98
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• pp.131-141
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to correctly understand the shapes and transformation of costumes of Ching's and Mongolian. Mongolian traditional costumes are trousers and jacket, with Deel(袍) and Terlig(帖裡) pleated in the waistline, and knee-covering narrow-sleeved long dress for men and women alike. It was designed for adapting to horse riding activities and cold steppe climate. Similarity between Ching's and Mongolian nomadic costumes was used as a means of unity by Ching. Transformation of Mongolian nomadic costumes are further divided into three kinds; Ching's or Russian's details applied to Mongolian nomadic costumes(Taekeum(大襟), Majesu(馬蹄袖), white choker), Ching's court costume imported as it is for the political purpose(Kijang(기장)), resistance against foreign countries and the spirit of nomadic people and independence reflected in Mongol costumes('Teregur ushi', 'Correct bosom'). Specially, Nomadic symbols constitute Mongolian spiritual world and clothing habits, especially evident in ladies' dresses.