• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.130-139
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• 2018

In ancient times, horse racing was done in ancient European countries in the form of wagon races or mountain races, and wagon racing was adopted as a regular event at the Greek Olympic Games. Thoroughbred horse has been bred since 17th century by intensive selective breeding for its speed, stamina, and racing ability. Then, in the 18th century, horse racing using the Thoroughbred species began to gain popularity among nobles. Since then, horse racing has developed into various forms in various countries and have developed into flat racing, steeplechasing, and harness racing. Thoroughbred racehorse has excellent racing abilities because of powerful selection breeding strategy for 300 years. It is necessary to maintain and maximize horses' ability to race, because horse industries produce enormous economic benefits through breeding, training, and horse racing. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods which process large amounts of genomic data have been developed recently. Based on the remarkable development of these genomic analytical techniques, it is now possible to easily carry out animal breeding strategies with superior traits. In order to select breeding racehorse with superior racing traits, the latest genomic analysis techniques have to be introduced. In this paper, we will review the current efforts to improve race performance for racehorses and to examine the research trends of genomic analysis. Finally, we suggest to utilize genomic analysis in Thoroughbred racehorse and Jeju horse, and propose a strategy for selective breeding for Jeju horse, which contributes job creation of Korea.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.113-122
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• 2018

In this paper, we will discuss planning and production of VR contents for effective racing drone steering training. In the real world, direct racing drone training training is obviously a space and economic limit. We propose through the production of VR-based drone infiltration action game as a solution to these limitations and try to improve effective drone handling ability. Especially, we designed the virtual reality contents in a similar environment by using the similarity of FPV goggles and HMD based VR, and designed virtual drones, maps and obstacles considering the characteristics of the structures used in racing drone and drone racing. Also, we tried to increase the user's immersion and presence by increasing difficulty level of obstacles.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.190-194
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• 2018

Recently, the horse racing industry in Korea has developed rapidly with good betting turnover. One of the most important factors in enhancing the performance of racehorses is the study of equine exercise physiology. This study was performed to analyze the results of pre-race blood test on race day and evaluate its correlation with the race performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Twenty-one, healthy 3- to 6-year-old Thoroughbred horses were used to collect blood samples and hematological and biochemical measurements were performed. Results were analyzed to identify its correlation with racing performance. Analysis of hematological profile of pre-race blood of the racehorses revealed that red blood cell indices including RBC, Hb, and PCV levels were elevated. Additionally, levels of AP, AST, and GGT were also elevated in pre-race blood of horses on race day. RBC, Hb, and PCV levels of high performance racehorses were significantly lower than those of low class racehorses. Moreover, the analysis of correlation between blood test results and racing ability-related categories have shown negative correlations for rating, placing strike rate, prize money per race, RBC, Hb, and PCV and positive correlations for G3F and PCV. Additionally, AST value was positively correlated to prize money per race. Thus, the results of this study show that red blood cell indices and AST are good parameters for evaluating racing performance of horses before the race.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.425-437
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• 2024

Exercise plays an important role in regulating energy homeostasis, which affects the diversity of the intestinal microbial community in humans and animals. To the best of the authors' knowledge, few studies have reported the associations between horse gut microbiota along with their predicted metabolic activities and the athletic ability of Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds living in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the association between the gut microbiota and athletic performance in horses. This study sequenced the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the partial 16S rRNA genes obtained from racehorse fecal samples and compared the fecal microbiota between high- and low-performance Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds. Forty-nine fecal samples were divided into four groups: high-performance Jeju horses (HJ, n = 13), low-performance Jeju horses (LJ, n = 17), high-performance Thoroughbreds (HT, n = 9), and low-performance Thoroughbreds (LT, n = 10). The high-performance horse groups had a higher diversity of the bacterial community than the low-performance horse groups. Two common functional metabolic activities of the hindgut microbiota (i.e., tryptophan and succinate syntheses) were observed between the low-performance horse groups, indicating dysbiosis of gut microbiota and fatigue from exercise. On the other hand, high-performance horse groups showed enriched production of polyamines, butyrate, and vitamin K. The racing performance may be associated with the composition of the intestinal microbiota of Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds in Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1609-1613
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for racing performance traits of thoroughbredracehorses, using a total of 58,124 racing records of 4,200 horses at Gwacheon Racing Park collected from January 2002 to December 2006. This study measured start one furlong time, last three and last one furlong times, and the resulting furlong time averages were 14.2 seconds, 39.9 seconds and 13.9 seconds, respectively. Furlong time means a split time measured based on a 1/8-mile (or approximately 201 m) distance and finished time means total racing time measured from start position to finish line. In the shortest distance races of 1,000 m, the average last three and last one furlong time was fastest at 38.7 seconds and 13.6 seconds, respectively. The correlation between finished time and start one furlong time decreased as the race distance increased, and the same trend was recognized from the correlation between finished time and last three furlong time. In short distance races of 1,400 m or less, the starting ability was found to be an important trait. The average speed was highest at 56 km/h for a 1,000 m race and lowest at 53.2 km/h for a 1,700 m race. Heritabilities of the start one furlong time, the last three and last one furlong time were estimated to be 0.337, 0.245 and 0.210, respectively; and repeatabilities for them were 0.452, 0.353 and 0.309, respectively. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between the start and the last one furlong time were negative at -0.141 and -0.155, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.855-867
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• 2016

The horse is relatively earlier domesticated animal species. Domesticated horses have been selected for their ability of racing, robustness, and disease-resistance. As a result, the thoroughbred horse genome has been condensed many genotypes related to exercise ability. In recent years, with the advent of NGS technologies, many studies were concentrated on finding superior genetic species in the horse genome in terms of genomics. Consequently, GWAS (Genome-wide Association study) is applied to horse genome, then genetic marker is revealed for superior racing ability. In addition, RNA-Seq is utilized as a method for analyze of whole transcript profiling in specific samples. By using this approach, specific gene expression patterns and transcript sequences can be revealed in various samples such as each individual, before and after exercise state, and each tissue. DNA methylation, a strong factor that regulate gene expression without the change of DNA sequence, have got a lot of attention. In horse genome, exercise- or individual-specific DNA methylation patterns were detected, and could be useful to develop selective marker of superior horses. MicroRNAs inhibit gene expression, and transposable elements accounted for half of the mammalian genome. These two elements are the crucial factors in functional genomics, and could be applied to the selection of superior horses. As the functional genomics and epigenomics advance, then these technologies introduced in this paper were applied to select superior horses. In this paper, the studies for selection of superior horses through genetic technologies, and development possibilities of these studies were discussed.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2020

A 6-year-old Thoroughbred mare presented to the Korea Racing Authority Equine Hospital with dropping of the left front fetlock due to an injury sustained while racing. Radiographic examination revealed a comminuted fracture of both proximal sesamoid bones of the affected fetlock. Arthrodesis of the fetlock joint using a broad dynamic compression plate with a tension band wire was performed as a salvage procedure for the future use as a broodmare. After surgery, however, a delayed union of the bones and surgical site infection was present for a prolonged period. Staphylococcus aureus was persistently identified from the surgical site, and antimicrobial therapies were based on antibiotic sensitivity tests, including regional perfusions. The removal and replacement of surgical implants associated with seropurulent discharge was based on coordinating the development of fetlock ankylosis and infection control over 13 months. Firstly, seven screws associated with surgical drainage were replaced and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and local antibiotics were placed into the surgical site to accelerate bone fusion at postoperative month 7. Further six screws, along with drainage, were removed at postoperative month 10. The plate and screws were removed from the limb due to the progression of bone fusion at postoperative month 13; BMP-2 and local antibiotics were also used. Delayed healing of arthrodesis due to surgical site infection and implant instability were treated by implant removals and antibiotic therapies, and the horse eventually showed improved weight-bearing ability of the affected limb.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.1077-1082
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• 2013

To improve cycling performance, the power output of the rider and the sources of resistance (e.g., air resistance, frame stiffness, and cycle mass) must be considered. From a mechanical viewpoint, we consider how the bike frame performance can be increased while decreasing the resistance. First, to improve the competitive ability of a racing track cycle, we should consider the stiffness of the bike frame including the pedal loading and aerodynamic effects when riding. Therefore, we obtained the cross-sectional area of each part of the bike frame and then aimed to minimize the drag force through an aerodynamic parametric study. In addition, the frame should remain safe under the loading applied by the rider. Under the guidelines of the UCI (union Cycliste Internationale) regulations, the bike frame has been evaluated under the proposed loading condition, and we developed a racing track cycle for elite cyclists.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.571-573
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• 2011

The primary means of heat dissipation in horse results from the evaporation of sweat. Anhidrosis refers to a decreased ability or loss of ability to sweat in response to appropriate stimuli. This disease is fatal and causes poor performance, increased body temperature, collapse, convulsion and even death. There are some reports about this disease abroad but not in Korea. We performed intradermal epinephrine test to investigate the prevalence of anhidrosis in Thoroughbred racehorses (n=50). The prevalence was 22% and it was similar to that of other countries. There does not appear to be sex, foaling country, coat color, age or pedigree of dam predispositions. In this study, we found the presence of anhidrosis in Korea. Anhidrosis should be prevented for economical purposes and general animal welfare.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2019

This study was performed to apply the measurement of heart rate and velocity in training horses for assessing race performance. Additionally, we aimed to identify parameters that can be used to evaluate the training level and exercise capacity. Eleven healthy 2- to 6-year-old Thoroughbreds were trained by the standard training program and heart rate and velocity were measured by using heart monitoring system and GPS. Regression analysis in heart rate and velocity data was performed to calculate velocity parameters. The mean maximal heart rate in gallop was $214{\pm}11bpm$. The mean $V_{140}$, $V_{180}$, $V_{200}$ and $VHR_{max}$ were $13.8{\pm}4.3km/h$, $37.5{\pm}3.8km/h$, $49.3{\pm}4.3km/h$ and $57.4{\pm}7.1km/h$ respectively. The mean $V_{140}$ of high performance racehorses was significantly higher than that of low performance racehorses (P < 0.05). Moreover, analyzing the correlation between velocity parameters and racing ability-related categories showed that $V_{140}$ was positively correlated with rating (P < 0.05), $V_{180}$ and $VHR_{max}$ were positively correlated with prize money per race (P < 0.05). Also, $V_{140}$ was significantly correlated with G1F (P < 0.05). The results of this study have shown that the measurement of heart rate and velocity during training could be useful methods to assess fitness for races or performance potential. Especially, $V_{140}$ is a good parameter to evaluate a performance of racehorses in Korea.