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

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.23-27
• /
• 2011

This study was conducted to provide basic information for the improvement of racing performance of Jeju pony & Halla horse, using the 85,732 racing records collected from Jeju & Kwacheon racecourses from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009. During the last 5 years, a total of 2,892 heads of horses were racing at the Jeju racecourse and 11.7% (338 heads) of them were Jeju ponies. The average body weight of Jeju pony and Halla horse were 267 kg & 287 kg, respectively, which were 58% and 62% of that of Thoroughbred (460 kg). The repeatabilities of Jeju pony, Halla horse and Thoroughbred for finishing time were estimated in the range of 0.26-0.66 (average, 0.54), 0.34-0.68 (average, 0.56) and 0.37-0.60 (average, 0.50), respectively, and as the racing distance increased, the repeatabilities decreased. In the racing distance of 1,000 m, the differences in the finishing times between Thoroughbred & Jeju pony, Thoroughbred & Halla horse, and Jeju pony & Halla horse were 24.33 seconds, 10.81 seconds and 13.52 seconds, respectively. The racing performance of Halla horse was improved by 55.6% than that of Jeju pony at the 1,000 m race.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.58 no.11
• /
• pp.40.1-40.5
• /
• 2016

Background: Currently about 26,000 horses are breeding in Korea and 57.2% (14,776 horses) of them are breeding in Jeju island. According to the statistics published in 2010, the horses breeding in Jeju island are subdivided into Jeju horse (6.1%), Thoroughbred (18.8%) and Halla horse (75.1%). Halla horses are defined as a crossbreed between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses and are used for horse racing, horse riding and horse meat production. However, little research has been conducted on Halla horses because of the perception of crossbreed and people's weighted interest toward Jeju horses. Method: Using 17 Microsatellite (MS) Markers recommended by International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG), genomic DNAs were extracted from the hair roots of 3,880 Halla horses breeding in Korea and genetic diversity was identified by genotyping after PCR was performed. Results and conclusion: In average, 10.41 alleles (from 6 alleles in HTG7 to 17 alleles in ASB17) were identified after the analysis using 17 MS Markers. The mean value of $H_{obs}$ was 0.749 with a range from 0.612(HMS1) to 0. 857(ASB2). Also, it was found that $H_{\exp}$ and PIC values were lowest in HMS1 (0.607 and 0.548, respectively), and highest in LEX3(0.859 and 0.843, respectively), and the mean value of $H_{\exp}$ was 0.760 and that of PIC was 0.728. 17 MS markers used in this studies were considered as appropriate markers for the polymorphism analysis of Halla horses. The frequency for the appearance of identical individuals was $5.90{\times}10^{-20}$ when assumed as random mating population and when assumed as half-sib and full-sib population, frequencies were $4.08{\times}10^{-15}$ and $3.56{\times}10^{-8}$, respectively. Based on these results, the 17 MS markers can be used adequately for the Individual Identification and Parentage Verification of Halla horses. Remarkably, allele M and Q of ASB23 marker, G of HMS2 marker, H and L of HTG6 marker, L of HTG7 marker, E of LEX3 marker were the specific alleles unique to Halla horses.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.138-143
• /
• 2022

A 21-year-old female Halla Horse weighing 248 kg was referred to the Jeju National University Equine Hospital with the chief complaint of anorexia accompanied by general weakness and depression for the previous three days suspected to be related to colic. Extensive diagnostic tests were performed for the following six days, including complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, gastroscopy, x-rays, and ultrasound imaging. The signalment, history, symptoms, and test results strongly suggested a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease with or without an alimentary tumor; hence, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. Almost the entire small intestine wall was severely thickened with diffuse ecchymosis on the serosa and protruded nodules on the mucosa. A presumptive diagnosis of an intestinal tumor was made, and the patient was euthanized, considering the patient's welfare with poor prognosis and low expectancy. A massive part of the small intestine was collected and submitted for macroscopic and microscopic pathology evaluations. The pathologic examination, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), indicated equine intestinal lymphoma showing strong positivity for T cell marker. This report describes the clinical signs, diagnosis and pathological features of intestinal lymphoma in a Halla Horse in detail.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2019

Horse fat was vacuum-extracted from fatty tissues of Jeju and Halla horse meat and their physicochemical properties were compared to those of commercial lard and beef-tallow. For color, ${\Delta}E$ was found to be decreased when crystallized. Although acid values of horse fat were higher than those of lard and beef-tallow, p-anisidine and totox values were lower. The iodine value of beef-tallow was the lowest (44.61), and those of horse fat and lard were similar (57.53-57.74). Only horse fat contained ${\alpha}-tocopherol$. The contents of ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ in Jeju and Halla horse fat, lard, and beef-tallow were 7.08, 4.57, 2.13, and 1.91 mg/kg, respectively. Palmitoleic acid ($C_{16:1}$) was found in horse fat. Melting and crystallization curves of horse fat displayed two endothermic and exothermic peaks which were differentiated from lard and beef-tallow. These results indicated that horse fat demonstrates different physicochemical properties compared to lard and beef-tallow, when applied to various types of lipid products.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.28-31
• /
• 2022

A 5-week old Thoroughbred foal was presented with severe left carpal valgus. Radiographs of the dorsopalmar projections confirmed the deviation was 14 degrees. Surgery using a single-position screw traversing the physis of the distal radius was performed. The limb was almost straight (2 degrees) 3 weeks after surgery. Visual/radiograph follow-up 7 months after screw removal revealed no over-correction after removal of the screw. Transphyseal bridging using a single-position screw without lateral periosteal transection of distal radius was successful for the correction of foals with this condition.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.9
• /
• pp.1460-1465
• /
• 2021

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the diversity of donkey populations by comparing with the diversity of Thoroughbred and Jeju Halla horses; identified breeding backgrounds can contribute to management and conservation of donkeys in South Korea. Methods: A total of 100 horse (50 Thoroughbreds and 50 Jeju Halla horses) and 79 donkeys samples were genotyped with 15 microsatellite markers (AHT4, AHT5, ASB2, ASB17, ASB23, CA425, HMS1, HMS2, HMS3, HMS6, HMS7, HTG4, HTG10, LEX3, and VHL20), to identify genetic diversity and relationships among horses and donkeys. Results: The observed number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 (ASB17, HMS1) to 14 (AHT5), with a mean value of 4.87, 8.00, and 5.87 in Thoroughbreds, Jeju Halla horses, and donkeys, respectively. Of the 15 markers, AHT4, AHT5, ASB23, CA425, HMS2, HMS3, HTG4, HTG10, and LEX3 loci had relatively high polymorphism information content (PIC) values (PIC>0.5) in these three populations. Mean levels of genetic variation were H_E = 0.6721 and H_O = 0.6600 in Thoroughbreds, H_E = 0.7898 and H_O = 0.7100 in Jeju Halla horses, and H_E = 0.5635 and H_O = 0.4861 in donkeys. Of the 15 loci in donkeys, three loci had negative inbreeding coefficients (FIS), with a moderate mean FIS (0.138). The FIS estimate for the HTG4 marker was highest (0.531) and HMS6 marker was lowest (-0.001). The total probability of exclusion value of 15 microsatellite loci was 0.9996 in donkeys. Conclusion: Genetic cluster analysis showed that the genetic relationship among 79 donkeys was generally consistent with pedigree records. Among the three breeds, donkeys and Thoroughbred horses formed clearly different groups, but the group of Jeju Halla horses overlapped with that of Thoroughbred horses, suggesting that the loci would be suitable for donkey parentage testing. Therefore, the results of this study are a valid tool for genetic study and conservation of donkeys.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.7
• /
• pp.1165-1176
• /
• 2019

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), produced by Clostridium botulinum, are the most toxic substances known. However, the number of currently approved medical countermeasures for these toxins is very limited. Therefore, studies on therapeutic antitoxins are essential to prepare for toxin-related emergencies. Currently, more than 10,000 Halla horses, a crossbreed between the native Jeju and Thoroughbred horses, are being raised in Jeju Island of Korea. They can be used for equine antitoxin experiments and production of hyperimmune serum against BoNT/A1. Instead of the inactivated BoNT/A1 toxoid, Halla horse was immunized with the receptor-binding domain present in the C-terminus of heavy chain of BoNT/A1 (BoNT/A1-HCR) expressed in Escherichia coli. The anti-BoNT/A1-HCR antibody titer increased rapidly by week 4, and this level was maintained for several weeks after boosting immunization. Notably, $20{\mu}l$ of the week-24 BoNT/A1-HCR(-immunized) equine serum showed an in vitro neutralizing activity of over 8 international units (IU) of a reference equine antitoxin. Furthermore, $20{\mu}l$ of equine serum and $100{\mu}g$ of purified equine $F(ab^{\prime})_2$ showed 100% neutralization of 10,000 $LD_{50}$ in vivo. The results of this study shall contribute towards optimizing antitoxin production for BoNT/A1, which is essential for emergency preparedness and response.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.63 no.3
• /
• pp.651-661
• /
• 2021

This study aimed to investigate whether breed, sex, and age affected temperament differently (more or less neophobic) in mature horses during a novel object test. The study included Jeju crossbred (n = 12, age = 9.42 ± 4.57 y), Thoroughbred (n = 15, age = 10.73 ± 3.09 y), and Warmblood horses (n = 12, age = 13.08 ± 3.55 y) with the females (n = 22, age = 11.36 ± 4.24 y) and geldings (n = 17, age = 10.65 ± 3.66 y). Jeju crossbreds (Jeju horse × Thoroughbred) are valuable considering their popular usage in Korea, but limited studies have explored temperament of Jeju crossbred horses. A trained experimenter touched the left side of the neck with a white plastic bag (novel object). The test ended when the horse stopped escape response and heart rate (HR) dropped to baseline. Behavioral score and escape duration were measured as behavioral variables. Multiple variables related to HR and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured to reflect emotional state. These included basal HR (BHR), maximum HR (MHR), delay to reach maximum heart rate (Time to MHR), standard deviation of beat-to-beat intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and ratio of low to high frequency components of a continuous series of heartbeats (LF/HF). Statistics revealed that Thoroughbreds had significantly higher behavioral scores, and lower RMSSD than Jeju crossbreds (p < 0.05), suggesting greater excitement and fear to the novel object in Thoroughbreds. None of the behavioral or cardiac parameters exhibited sex differences (p < 0.05). Age was negatively correlated with SDNN and RMSSD (p < 0.05), indicating that older horses felt more anxiety to the novelty than younger horses. Thoroughbreds and females had distinct correlations between behavioral and HRV variables in comparison with other groups (p < 0.05), implying that escape duration might be a good indicator of stress, especially in these two groups. These results are expected to improve equine welfare, safety and utility, by providing insights into the temperament of particular horse groups, to better match reactivity levels with specific functions.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.81.1-81.12
• /
• 2023

Background: The incidence of colic and the outcomes of colic surgery have not been surveyed in racetracks in Korea. Objectives: This study examined the incidence, mortality, and case fatality of colic and investigated the effects of age and sex after an exploratory celiotomy on the long-term survival rate (return to racing), subsequent racing performance, and career longevity. Methods: The incidence, mortality, and case fatalities of colic were examined over an 11-year period. The records of 40 horses that had undergone a celiotomy, after participating in at least one race and 75 race-matched control horses were analyzed. The racing performance and career length of the horses that returned to racing post-surgery were compared with a control group. Results: The annual incidence, fatality rate of colic, and annual mortality rate at Seoul Racecourse were 6.5, 2.8 per 100 horse-years, and 0.2 deaths cases per 100 horse-years, respectively. Of the 40 horses that underwent colic surgery, 26 (65%) returned to racing. The likelihood of returning to racing decreased with increasing age of the horses, and geldings had a lower probability of returning. While the performance in the five preoperative races between the two groups was not significantly different, a significant decrease in racing performance was observed after the surgery date (p < 0.01). Horses that underwent colic surgery did not show a significant decrease in career length. Conclusions: Surgical treatment for colic at the age of three and four years had a negative impact on the racing performance. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in career longevity between the two groups.