News from Outside the Ring

23 and Me Equine Edition

The field of human genomics is rapidly expanding but you hear very little about genetic markers of disease in horses. A new study is shedding some light on how our horses’ genes affect hoof health (Han et al. BMC Genomics. 2023;24:35). An international group of researchers looked at five distinct Chinese Mongolian horse populations to identify genomic regions that mapped to the breed-specific traits of gait (pace vs trot), black coat color, and hoof quality (good vs bad). These populations of horses were chosen because they each represent distinct horse types that have been domesticated for a very long time and can be differentiated from each other by variations in these traits that were enhanced through human intervention (selective breeding). The results showed specific genes that were linked to each of these characteristics. Although it is still not possible to test a horse’s DNA for hoof problems, this research brings us one step closer to that reality.

Paris or Bust in 2024…Hopefully Not a Bust

Paris is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics and the horse sports will be held on the grounds of the Chateau de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a very popular tourist attraction. For Eventing, the host city usually puts on a full test event to make sure all is in order for the big show. There’s a lot involved with dressage, jumping, and cross-country and these test runs, which are usually staged at a level below the Olympics, help identify any potential issues. However, due to cost-cutting, there will be no test event for Paris. It’s a huge expense to set up the temporary arenas, and closing parts of site to visitors is just not economically feasible. To compensate, a cross-country test event will be held and open to national federations and national Olympic committees. The dressage and jumping phases will have practice shows at Fontainebleau, where they will test the footing surfaces. Another deviation from what has been done at past Olympics is that the first horse inspection will not be open to the public.

Save The Date

2023 NJ Junior Breeder Symposium

Location: Round Barn

@ George H. Cook Campus Rutgers University

Location: Intersection of College Farm Road and Sheepfold Lane, North Brunswick Township, NJ .

Registration will be open in February!

Questions? Contact: Eppinger@njaes.rutgers.edu

Amelia.Valente@njaes.rutgers.edu

Saturday March 25, 2023

8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For youth and adults Rain or shine!

Hands-on workshops in the following tracks

 Equine

 Large Ruminant (Cattle)

 Dairy Quiz Bowl & Art Contest

 Small Ruminant (Sheep & Goat)

 Swine

 Poultry

 Rabbit

 Cavy (Guinea Pig)

 Small Animals

 Beekeeping

Sponsored by the New Jersy Department of Agriculture Junior Breeder Program in cooperation with Rutgers Cooperative Extension faculty and staff.