Applications of horse genomics

Completion of the entire horse DNA sequence was a watershed event for horse research. From this time onwards, scientists need not clone and sequence genes before studying gene expression and genetic variation among horses. This information has become freely available online. Applications have already been made in the form of diagnostic tests for inherited diseases and coat colour patterns. As the field of genomics matures, we will begin to see applications for non-hereditary traits. Indeed, everything we do to a horse changes the set of genes expressed in muscle, lungs, liver, immune systems, gut and elsewhere. Understanding the impact of management on gene expression will lead to new management systems and therapeutic treatments to benefit the health and welfare of horses.