Equine Color Genetics

INTRODUCTION Horses were domesticated approximately 3500 AC most probably in the steppes of the Moldavo-Ukrainian Eurasian area. Although the exact origins of the domestic horse are unclear, it seems accepted that domestication occurred on the wild types like the extinct Tarpan or the still living Przewalski horses. A comparison between the morphology of such horses and those of the present warm-blooded horses discloses the evolution imposed by human beings during centuries of selection. Nowadays, great differences are still observable between breeds according to their origins and utilisation. The evolution of selection practices is quite remarkable. Empirical knowledge of breeders was progressively replaced by a more systematic evaluation system of notation such as conformation and gait trials, and more recently by a scientific quantitative genetic approach based on earnings, timing and ranking. An additional step is being introduced with the inclusion of early criteria estimated on the phenotype and hopefully on the genotype. In fact, recent developments in molecular tools have given access to DNA information and thus directly to the genotype assuming that the genes acting on the traits are known. Thus, it is already possible to use molecular diagnostic tests to detect animals that possess favourable genes not observable on the phenotype. This new approach is currently being developed to be applicable to a greater number of characters.

G. Guérin

Papers

Molecular genetics counselling in horse breeding.