ANCCE presents the EQUIGENOM Group at ECUEXTRE 2023

The importance of Genomics in PRE Horses

Badajoz hosted ECUEXTRE 2023 from the 8th to the 11th of June.  In addition to ANCCE being on hand with a promotional stand, the EQUIGENOM Group project, also led by ANCCE, was presented.   
 
The main objective of this project is to develop an economic, medium density chip. In turn, this chip would be used to verify parentage, diagnose diseases, detect traits of economic interest and perform gene selection in PRE Horses. Likewise, digital tools will be developed to facilitate the use of this information.  
 
 
This chip would facilitate simultaneous analyses for the verification of parents, the early diagnosis of hereditary diseases (including those specific to the PRE breed, such as fallen crest) and chromosomal diseases. Moreover, it facilitates the detection of molecular markers linked to traits of economic importance and the development of genomic selection in PRE Horses.
 
Many of the important advantage of genomics for equines in general, and more specifically for Purebred Spanish Horses were presented at ECUEXTRE. The importance of genomics lies in the fact that it facilitates our ability to anticipate and discover diseases and characteristics that horses will have, as well as those they will transmit to their offspring. At the same time, all of this information will be made available in an easy-to-use digital tool that breeders may consult.   
 

 

Having immediate and increased information about the reliability of genetic values is but one of the main advantages of this project. Until now, the genetic prediction for progeny was based on an average between the known values of the sire and dam, which took several years to be able to assess the next generation of horses.  

ECUEXTRE 2023:
 
ECUEXTRE & TORO 2023 is the Horse and Fighting Bull Trade Fair of Extremadura, held at the IFEBA (Fairgrounds & Convention Center) in Badajoz, with this year being its 14th edition.  This event is an important meeting place for breeders and enthusiasts.  It was home to the 7th Conformation Competition (3-star) for Purebred Spanish Stallions and Mares, the ANCCE Cup 2-star National Dressage Competition and the ANCCE Cup for Doma Vaquera.