FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Selection on the Colombian paso horse’s gaits has prod...
PloS one2018; 13(8); e0202584; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202584

Selection on the Colombian paso horse’s gaits has produced kinematic differences partly explained by the DMRT3 gene.

Abstract: The Colombian paso horse, the most important horse breed in Colombia, performs specific and particular gaits (paso fino, trocha, and Colombian trot), which display different footfall patterns and stride frequencies. The breed has been selected for gait and conformation for more than 50 years and we hypothesize that this selection has led to kinematic differences of the gaits that can be explained by different genetic variants. Hence, the aims of the study were: 1. To identify if there are any differences in the kinematic and genetic variants between the Colombian paso horse's gaits. 2. To evaluate if and how much the gait differences were explained by the nonsense mutation in the DMRT3 gene and 3. To evaluate these results for selecting and controlling the horses gait performance. To test our hypotheses, kinematic data, microsatellites and DMRT3 genotypes for 187 Colombian paso horses were analyzed. The results indicated that there are significant kinematic and DMRT3 differences between the Colombian paso horse's gaits, and those parameters can be used partially to select and control the horses gait performance. However, the DMRT3 gene does not play a major role in controlling the trocha and the Colombian trot gaits. Therefore, modifying genes likely influence these gaits. This study may serve as a foundation for implementing a genetic selection program in the Colombian paso horse and future gene discovery studies for locomotion pattern in horses.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2018-08-17 PubMed ID: 30118522PubMed Central: PMC6097835DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202584Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study investigates how the selection of specific gaits in Colombian paso horses over a span of 50 years has led to noticeable differences in the way these horses naturally move. These differences also appear to be partially influenced by variations in the DMRT3 gene.

Study Objectives

The study aimed to determine:

  • If there are any differences, both kinematic and genetic, between the specific gaits of the Colombian paso horses.
  • To what extent these differences in gaits are explained by a mutation in the DMRT3 gene.
  • How these results could be used to better select and control horses for their gait performance.

Study Methodology

  • Kinematic data, microsatellites, and DMRT3 genotypes were analyzed for 187 Colombian paso horses.
  • Kinematics refers to the study of movement, particularly, how the footfall patterns and stride frequencies different in these specific horse breeds.
  • The DMRT3 gene, or the doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3, affects the nervous system of horses and plays an important role in the control of gait.

Study Findings

The researchers found:

  • Significant differences in the kinematics and the DMRT3 gene among the Colombian paso horse’s gaits.
  • These observed differences can partially help select and control the horse’s gait performance.
  • The differences in the trocha and Colombian trot gaits are not largely controlled by the DMRT3 gene, suggesting the possible influence of other modifying genes.

Importance of the Study

This study offers a valuable foundation for:

  • Implementing a genetic selection program in the Colombian paso horses to choose breeds with preferred locomotion patterns.
  • Future research aiming to discover other relevant genes that influence locomotion patterns in horses in general.

Cite This Article

APA
Novoa-Bravo M, Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Rhodin M, Strand E, García LF, Lindgren G. (2018). Selection on the Colombian paso horse’s gaits has produced kinematic differences partly explained by the DMRT3 gene. PLoS One, 13(8), e0202584. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202584

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 8
Pages: e0202584

Researcher Affiliations

Novoa-Bravo, Miguel
  • Genética Animal de Colombia Ltda. Bogotá, Colombia.
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Department of Biology, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Kim
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
Strand, Eric
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
García, Luis Fernando
  • Department of Biology, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
Lindgren, Gabriella
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / genetics
  • Breeding
  • Codon, Nonsense
  • Colombia
  • Gait / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / physiology
  • Humans
  • Locomotion / genetics
  • Mice
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Conflict of Interest Statement

Gabriella Lindgren is co-inventor on a granted patent concerning commercial testing of the DMRT3 mutation: A method to predict the pattern of locomotion in horses. PCT EP12 747 875.8. European patent registration date: 2011-05- 05, US patent registration date: 2011-08-03. Miguel Novoa Bravo is personal of the company Genética Animal de Colombia Ltda. This funder provided support in the form of research materials, infrastructure, funding for research travel, and salary (after January the first 2018) for author MNB, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. There are no further patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. This does not alter the authors\' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials, as detailed online in the guide for authors.

References

This article includes 40 references
  1. Hendricks BL. International encyclopedia of horse breeds. .
  2. . El Caballo Colombiano Cinco Siglos de Historia. .
  3. Barrey E. Gaits and interlimb coordination. Equine locomotion 2013; pp. 85–97.
  4. Back W, Clayton HM. Equine Locomotion. 2013.
  5. Kristjansson T, Bjornsdottir S, Sigurdsson A, Andersson LS, Lindgren G, Helyar SJ. The effect of the “Gait keeper” mutation in the DMRT3 gene on gaiting ability in Icelandic horses. J Anim Breed Genet 2014;131: 415–425.
    doi: 10.1111/jbg.12112pubmed: 25073639google scholar: lookup
  6. Patterson L, Staiger EA, Brooks SA. DMRT3 is associated with gait type in Mangalarga Marchador horses, but does not control gait ability. Anim Genet 2015;46: 213–5.
    doi: 10.1111/age.12273pubmed: 25690906google scholar: lookup
  7. Nicodemus MC, Clayton HM. Temporal variables of four-beat, stepping gaits of gaited horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2003;80: 133–142.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00219-8google scholar: lookup
  8. Clayton HM, Bradbury JW. Temporal characteristics of the fox trot, a symmetrical equine gait. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1995;42: 153–159.
    doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(94)00539-Qgoogle scholar: lookup
  9. Andersson LLS, Larhammar M, Memic F, Wootz H, Schwochow D, Rubin C-J. Mutations in DMRT3 affect locomotion in horses and spinal circuit function in mice. Nature 2012;488: 642–6.
    doi: 10.1038/nature11399pmc: PMC3523687pubmed: 22932389google scholar: lookup
  10. Hong CS, Park BY, Saint-Jeannet JP. The function of Dmrt genes in vertebrate development: It is not just about sex. Dev Biol 2007;310: 1–9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.07.035pubmed: 17720152google scholar: lookup
  11. Jäderkvist K, Andersson LS, Johansson AM, Árnason T, Mikko S, Eriksson S. The DMRT3 “Gait keeper” mutation affects performance of Nordic and Standardbred trotters. J Anim Sci 2014;92: 4279–4286.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2014-7803pubmed: 25085403google scholar: lookup
  12. Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Johansson L, Maenpaa M, Mykkanen A, Andersson LS, Velie BD. Different DMRT3 genotypes are best adapted for harness racing and riding in finnhorses. J Hered 2015;106: 734–740.
    doi: 10.1093/jhered/esv062pubmed: 26285915google scholar: lookup
  13. Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Lawrence C, Petäjistö K, Johansson MK, Wiklund M, Olsson C. Lack of significant associations with early career performance suggest no link between the DMRT3 “Gait Keeper” mutation and precocity in Coldblooded trotters. PLoS One 2017;12: 1–10.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177351pmc: PMC5425215pubmed: 28489879google scholar: lookup
  14. Ricard A. Does heterozygosity at the DMRT3 gene make French trotters better racers?. Genet Sel Evol 2015;47: 10.
    doi: 10.1186/s12711-015-0095-7pmc: PMC4340234pubmed: 25886871google scholar: lookup
  15. Promerová M, Andersson LS, Juras R, Penedo MCT, Reissmann M, Tozaki T. Worldwide frequency distribution of the “Gait keeper” mutation in the DMRT3 gene. Anim Genet 2014;45: 274–82.
    doi: 10.1111/age.12120pubmed: 24444049google scholar: lookup
  16. Robilliard JJ, Pfau T, Wilson AM. Gait characterisation and classification in horses. J Exp Biol 2007;210: 187–97.
    doi: 10.1242/jeb.02611pubmed: 17210956google scholar: lookup
  17. Novoa MA, García LF. Genetic differences in a Colombian Paso horse breed by gait selection. J Anim Sci 2016;94: 113.
    doi: 10.2527/jas2016.94supplement4113agoogle scholar: lookup
  18. Fox J, Weisberg S, Adler D, Bates D, Baud-Bovy G, Ellison S. Companion to Applied Regression. 2014.
  19. Guisande C, Vaamonde A, Barreiro A. RWizard software. v 1.0. 2014.
  20. Hinkle DE, Wiersma W, Jurs SG. Applied statistics for the behavioral sciences. 2003.
  21. Hothorn T, Bretz F, Westfall P, Heiberger R, Schuetzenmeister A. Simultaneous Inference in General Parametric Models. 2014.
  22. Gastwirth JL, Gel YR, Hui WLW, Lyubchich V, Miao W, Noguchi K. An R package for biostatistics, public policy, and law. 2013.
  23. Friendly M. HE plots for multivariate linear models. J Comput Graph Stat 2007;16: 421–444.
    doi: 10.1198/106186007X208407google scholar: lookup
  24. Friendly M, Fox J. Visualizing Generalized Canonical Discriminant and Canonical Correlation Analysis. 2013.
  25. Ripley B, Venables B, Bates D, Hornik K, Ripley M. Support Functions and Datasets for Venables and Ripley’s MASS. 2014.
  26. Venables W, Ripley B. Modern applied statistics with S. 2002.
  27. Pritchard JK, Stephens M, Donnelly P. Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype data. Genetics 2000;155: 945–959.
    pmc: PMC1461096pubmed: 10835412
  28. Excoffier L, Lischer H. Arlequin suite ver 3.5: a new series of programs to perform population genetics analyses under Linux and Windows. Mol Ecol Resour 2010;10: 564–567.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2010.02847.x/fulldoi: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2010.02847.xpubmed: 21565059google scholar: lookup
  29. Raymond M, Rousset F. GENEPOP (version 1.2): population genetics software for exact tests and ecumenicism. J Hered 1995;86: 248–249.
  30. Rousset F. genepop’007: a complete re-implementation of the genepop software for Windows and Linux. Mol Ecol Resour 2008;8: 103–6.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1471-8286.2007.01931.xpubmed: 21585727google scholar: lookup
  31. Kramer J, Keegan KG. Kinematics of lameness. Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery 2014.
    doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-2671-3.50017–9google scholar: lookup
  32. Rhodin M, Egenvall A, Andersen PH, Pfau T. Head and pelvic movement asymmetries at trot in riding horses in training and perceived as free from lameness by the owner. PLoS One 2017;12: 1–16.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176253pmc: PMC5404851pubmed: 28441406google scholar: lookup
  33. Pfau T, Fiske-Jackson A, Rhodin M. Quantitative assessment of gait parameters in horses: Useful for aiding clinical decision making?. Equine Vet Educ 2016;28: 209–215.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12372google scholar: lookup
  34. Ishihara A, Reed SM, Rajala-Schultz PJ, Robertson JT, Bertone AL. Use of kinetic gait analysis for detection, quantification, and differentiation of hind limb lameness and spinal ataxia in horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009;234: 644–51.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.234.5.644pubmed: 19250044google scholar: lookup
  35. Keegan KG. Evidence-Based Lameness Detection and Quantification. Veterinary Clinics of North America—Equine Practice 2007; pp. 403–423.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2007.04.008pubmed: 17616320google scholar: lookup
  36. Parsons KJ, Pfau T, Wilson AM. High-speed gallop locomotion in the Thoroughbred racehorse. I. The effect of incline on stride parameters. 2008; 935–944.
    doi: 10.1242/jeb.006650pubmed: 18310119google scholar: lookup
  37. Yamanobe A, Hiraga A, Kubo K. Relationships between Stride Frequency, Stride Length, Step Length and Velocity with Asymmetric Gaits in the Thoroughbred Horse. Japanese J Equine Sci 1992;3: 143–148.
    doi: 10.1294/jes1990.3.143google scholar: lookup
  38. Hobbs SJ, Bertram JEA, Clayton HM. An exploration of the influence of diagonal dissociation and moderate changes in speed on locomotor parameters in trotting horses. PeerJ 2016;4: e2190.
    doi: 10.7717/peerj.2190pmc: PMC4933092pubmed: 27413640google scholar: lookup
  39. Zips S, Peham C, Scheidl M, Licka T, Girtler D. Motion pattern of the toelt of Icelandic horses at different speeds. Equine Vet J Suppl 2001;33: 109–111.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05371.xpubmed: 11721548google scholar: lookup
  40. Fonseca MG, Ferraz GC, Lage J, Pereira GL, Curi RA. A Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Differences in the Genetic Mechanism of Control of the Two Gait Patterns of the Brazilian Mangalarga Marchador Breed. J Equine Vet Sci 2017;53: 64–67.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.01.015google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
  1. Martins NA, Fonseca BPA, Silvatti AP, Valente FL, Soares NL, Simonato SP, Rosa LP, Andrade MO, Barcelos KMDC. Head and Neck Positions Affect Equine Kinematic Variables in Marcha Batida Gait-A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 9;15(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15081090pubmed: 40281924google scholar: lookup
  2. Bussiman F, Alves AAC, Richter J, Hidalgo J, Veroneze R, Oliveira T. Supervised Machine Learning Techniques for Breeding Value Prediction in Horses: An Example Using Gait Visual Scores. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 20;14(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14182723pubmed: 39335312google scholar: lookup
  3. Sigurðardóttir H, Ablondi M, Kristjansson T, Lindgren G, Eriksson S. Genetic diversity and signatures of selection in Icelandic horses and Exmoor ponies. BMC Genomics 2024 Aug 8;25(1):772.
    doi: 10.1186/s12864-024-10682-8pubmed: 39118059google scholar: lookup
  4. Herman M, Caceres AM, Albuquerque ALH, Leite RO, Araújo CET, Delfiol DJZ, Curi RA, Borges AS, Oliveira-Filho JP. DMRT3 Allele Frequencies in Batida- and Picada-Gaited Donkeys and Mules in Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 12;13(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13243829pubmed: 38136866google scholar: lookup
  5. Vincelette A. The Characteristics, Distribution, Function, and Origin of Alternative Lateral Horse Gaits. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 8;13(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13162557pubmed: 37627349google scholar: lookup
  6. Colpitts J, McLoughlin PD, Poissant J. Runs of homozygosity in Sable Island feral horses reveal the genomic consequences of inbreeding and divergence from domestic breeds. BMC Genomics 2022 Jul 12;23(1):501.
    doi: 10.1186/s12864-022-08729-9pubmed: 35820826google scholar: lookup
  7. Wolfsberger WW, Ayala NM, Castro-Marquez SO, Irizarry-Negron VM, Potapchuk A, Shchubelka K, Potish L, Majeske AJ, Oliver LF, Lameiro AD, Martínez-Cruzado JC, Lindgren G, Oleksyk TK. Genetic diversity and selection in Puerto Rican horses. Sci Rep 2022 Jan 11;12(1):515.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-04537-5pubmed: 35017609google scholar: lookup
  8. Rosengren MK, Sigurðardóttir H, Eriksson S, Naboulsi R, Jouni A, Novoa-Bravo M, Albertsdóttir E, Kristjánsson Þ, Rhodin M, Viklund Å, Velie BD, Negro JJ, Solé M, Lindgren G. A QTL for conformation of back and croup influences lateral gait quality in Icelandic horses. BMC Genomics 2021 Apr 14;22(1):267.
    doi: 10.1186/s12864-021-07454-zpubmed: 33853519google scholar: lookup
  9. Ricard A, Duluard A. Genomic analysis of gaits and racing performance of the French trotter. J Anim Breed Genet 2021 Mar;138(2):204-222.
    doi: 10.1111/jbg.12526pubmed: 33249655google scholar: lookup
  10. Serra Bragança FM, Broomé S, Rhodin M, Björnsdóttir S, Gunnarsson V, Voskamp JP, Persson-Sjodin E, Back W, Lindgren G, Novoa-Bravo M, Gmel AI, Roepstorff C, van der Zwaag BJ, Van Weeren PR, Hernlund E. Improving gait classification in horses by using inertial measurement unit (IMU) generated data and machine learning. Sci Rep 2020 Oct 20;10(1):17785.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73215-9pubmed: 33082367google scholar: lookup
  11. Novoa-Bravo M, Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Rhodin M, Strand E, García LF, Lindgren G. Correction: Selection on the Colombian paso horse's gaits has produced kinematic differences partly explained by the DMRT3 gene. PLoS One 2019;14(2):e0212149.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212149pubmed: 30726296google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.