• 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.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1827-1838
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• 2022

Objective: The semen quality of stallions including sperm motility is an important target of selection as it has a high level of individual variability. However, effects of the molecular architecture of the genome on the mechanisms of sperm formation and their preservation after thawing have been poorly investigated. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for the sperm motility of cryopreserved semen in stallions of various breeds. Methods: Semen samples were collected from the stallions of 23 horse breeds. The following semen characteristics were examined: progressive motility (PM), progressive motility after freezing (FPM), and the difference between PM and FPM. The respective DNA samples from these stallions were genotyped using Axiom Equine Genotyping Array. Results: We performed a GWAS search for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and potential genes related to motility properties of frozen-thawed semen in the stallions of various breeds. As a result of the GWAS analysis, two SNP markers, rs1141327473 and rs1149048772, were identified that were associated with preservation of the frozen-thawed stallion sperm motility, the relevant putative candidate genes being NME/NM23 family member 8 (NME8), olfactory receptor family 2 subfamily AP member 1 (OR2AP1), and olfactory receptor family 6 subfamily C member 4 (OR6C4). Potential implications of effects of these genes on sperm motility are herein discussed. Conclusion: The GWAS results enabled us to localize novel SNPs and candidate genes for sperm motility in stallions. Implications of the study for horse breeding and genetics are a better understanding of genomic regions and candidate genes underlying stallion sperm quality, and improvement in horse reproduction and breeding techniques. The identified markers and genes for sperm cryotolerance and the respective genomic regions are promising candidates for further studying the biological processes in the formation and function of the stallion reproductive system.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.659-669
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• 2022

Objective: Thoroughbred horses have been bred exclusively for racing in England for a long time. Additionally, because horse racing is a global sport, a healthy leisure activity for ordinary citizens, and a high-value business, systematic racehorse breeding at the population level is a requirement for continuous industrial development. Therefore, we established genomic evaluation system (using prize money as horse racing traits) to produce spirited, agile, and strong racing horse population Methods: We used phenotypic data from 25,061 Thoroughbred horses (all registered individuals in Korea) that competed in races between 1994 and 2019 at the Korea Racing Authority and constructed pedigree structures. We quantified the improvement in racehorse breeding output by year in Korea, and this aided in the establishment of a high-level horse-fill industry. Results: We found that pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction method improved the racing performance of the Thoroughbred population with high accuracy, making it possible to construct an excellent Thoroughbred racehorse population in Korea. Conclusion: This study could be used to develop an efficient breeding program at the population level for Korean Thoroughbred racehorse populations as well as others.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.157-169
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• 1999

This study has investigated the Horse Culture and the Horse Owner‘s colours(Horse racing silks or Jockey’s costume). The results of this study revealed that the jockey‘s costume of western as well as Korean’s. According to the “International agreement on breeding and racing” in order to avoid too much variation between basic colours, grades of colours and colour combinations, a standard for owner‘s colours and jacket design has been agreed. Racing colours registered before the present agreement will however be allowed. Every horse coming from abroad runs in the registered colours of its owner in the country where the horse is trained. There are unique Korean jockey’s costume, They are going to change jockey‘s costume to Owner’s colours.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.292-294
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• 2007

Endometrial biopsy in the horse is an important technique for maintaining breeding soundness by detecting changes related with reduced fertility and monitoring response to specific uterine therapy. A 13-year-old thoroughbred mare had been in trouble with repeated breeding for getting pregnant before the sample of endometrial biopsy was offered to investigate the possibility of pregnancy in the future. Based on the tissue sections examined, the prognosis for this mare to conceive and successfully carry a foal to term was estimated to be 10 to 50%.

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

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1236-1243
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• 2014

Genetics is important for breeding and selection of horses but there is a lack of well-established horse-related browsers or databases. In order to better understand horses, more variants and other integrated information are needed. Thus, we construct a horse genomic variants database including expression and other information. Horse Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Expression Database (HSDB) (http://snugenome2.snu.ac.kr/HSDB) provides the number of unexplored genomic variants still remaining to be identified in the horse genome including rare variants by using population genome sequences of eighteen horses and RNA-seq of four horses. The identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were confirmed by comparing them with SNP chip data and variants of RNA-seq, which showed a concordance level of 99.02% and 96.6%, respectively. Moreover, the database provides the genomic variants with their corresponding transcriptional profiles from the same individuals to help understand the functional aspects of these variants. The database will contribute to genetic improvement and breeding strategies of Thoroughbreds.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.639-643
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• 2021

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a microsporidian pathogen. Recently, the equestrian population is increasing in Korea. The horse-related zoonotic pathogens, including E. bieneusi, are concerns of public health. A total of 1,200 horse fecal samples were collected from riding centers and breeding farms in Jeju Island and inland areas. Of the fecal samples 15 (1.3%) were PCR positive for E. bieneusi. Interestingly, all positive samples came from Jeju Island. Diarrhea and infection in foals were related. Two genotypes (horse1, horse2) were identified as possible zoonotic groups requiring continuous monitoring.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.459-466
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• 2010

In this study, we suggest an objective standard in selection of candidate horse mates. Korea Racing Authority provided racing records and pedigree information of 44 sires and 954 dams. The datasets were used to predict Racing Indices represented by the averages of earnings earned by offspring for each dam and sire that indicate the racing performance of its domestic progeny. Proportion of wins and second places to the number of taken races and the mean of distances for the won races of a sire were significant factors in linear model with minimum prediction errors. For dam, those factors were the average of earned money per race, number of outstanding broodmares in pedigree, and the comparable index which indicates the relative affinity with its mate. We can use the resultant model for a horse mate by choosing one of the candidates with the largest predicted value for hypothetical offspring.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.601-606
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• 2005

The disease causing colic is the greatest cause of death in the domestic horse population today and accidental deaths as a result of colic leads to decreased productivity and economic losses in the horse breeding industry. Large colon impaction is the most common cause of colic in horses. Horses may ingest sand either by eating from the ground in sandy locations, or because of its inclusion in hay. In certain areas sand impaction is relatively common. The horse (4 year, female) presented with abdominal pain, which was charactered by willing to lie down, pawing, and looking at flank. A month later, the horse died suddenly at sand paddock. Post-mortem examination revealed the sand impaction as a lot of feces, sand and gravels in the right dorsal colon. In addition, there was necrosis and debilitation in mucosal lining of the large colon and rupture site on the right dorsal colon. The purpose of this article is to review sand impaction and emergencies in Thoroughbred horses.