Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share We Don’t Just Breed Behavior – How Domestication and Selection Shape the Equine Body
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
We Don’t Just Breed Behavior – How Domestication and Selection Shape the Equine Body
Horse Domestication, Genetic Selection and Structural Change in Modern Breeding
Domestication is not a closed chapter in history.
It continues to shape modern horses — influencing temperament, stress physiology, locomotion and skeletal structure.
In this episode, we explore the scientific foundations behind modern breeding trends:
the two domestication waves of the horse
the DOM2 expansion and large-scale genetic turnover around 2200 BCE
selection for rideability, locomotion and reduced aggression
the Silver Fox Domestication Experiment as a model for behavioral genetic selection
genetic bottlenecks and inbreeding using the Isle Royale wolves as a biological case study
ncreasing reports of cervical spine, rib and lumbar variations in modern horses
and why sport horse breeding must be viewed through a population genetics lens.
This episode connects ancient horse genomics, behavioral genetics and contemporary breeding practices.
Evidenz:
Isle Royale Wolves – Genetic Bottleneck & Skeletal Effects
Robinson, J. A., et al. (2019).
Genomic signatures of extensive inbreeding in Isle Royale wolves.
Science Advances.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6541468/
Silver Fox Domestication Experiment
Dugatkin, L. A., & Trut, L. (2018).
The silver fox domestication experiment.
Evolution: Education and Outreach.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12052-018-0090-x
Librado, P., et al. (2021).
The origins and spread of domestic horses from the Western Eurasian steppes.
Nature, 598, 634–640.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04018-9
Librado, P., et al. (2024).
Widespread horse-based mobility arose around 2200 BCE in Eurasia.
Nature, 631, 819–825.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07597-5
More about Equidemia:
My book about academic groundwork: https://amzn.to/3OqwfqS
Waitinglist for our Masterclass 2025: https://equidemia.com/en/masterclass-english/
Equidemia Webinars, Online and more: shop.equidemia.com
Welfare Bundle: https://shop.equidemia.com/s/Equidemia/Welfare-Bundle/payment
Pain Ethogram: https://shop.equidemia.com/s/Equidemia/pain-signals/payment
Horse Grimace Scale: https://shop.equidemia.com/s/Equidemia/HSG/payment
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equidemia.celina.skogan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/equidemia
View all episodes
By Celina SkoganHorse Domestication, Genetic Selection and Structural Change in Modern Breeding
Domestication is not a closed chapter in history.
It continues to shape modern horses — influencing temperament, stress physiology, locomotion and skeletal structure.
In this episode, we explore the scientific foundations behind modern breeding trends:
the two domestication waves of the horse
the DOM2 expansion and large-scale genetic turnover around 2200 BCE
selection for rideability, locomotion and reduced aggression
the Silver Fox Domestication Experiment as a model for behavioral genetic selection
genetic bottlenecks and inbreeding using the Isle Royale wolves as a biological case study
ncreasing reports of cervical spine, rib and lumbar variations in modern horses
and why sport horse breeding must be viewed through a population genetics lens.
This episode connects ancient horse genomics, behavioral genetics and contemporary breeding practices.
Evidenz:
Isle Royale Wolves – Genetic Bottleneck & Skeletal Effects
Robinson, J. A., et al. (2019).
Genomic signatures of extensive inbreeding in Isle Royale wolves.
Science Advances.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6541468/
Silver Fox Domestication Experiment
Dugatkin, L. A., & Trut, L. (2018).
The silver fox domestication experiment.
Evolution: Education and Outreach.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12052-018-0090-x
Librado, P., et al. (2021).
The origins and spread of domestic horses from the Western Eurasian steppes.
Nature, 598, 634–640.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04018-9
Librado, P., et al. (2024).
Widespread horse-based mobility arose around 2200 BCE in Eurasia.
Nature, 631, 819–825.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07597-5
More about Equidemia:
My book about academic groundwork: https://amzn.to/3OqwfqS
Waitinglist for our Masterclass 2025: https://equidemia.com/en/masterclass-english/
Equidemia Webinars, Online and more: shop.equidemia.com
Welfare Bundle: https://shop.equidemia.com/s/Equidemia/Welfare-Bundle/payment
Pain Ethogram: https://shop.equidemia.com/s/Equidemia/pain-signals/payment
Horse Grimace Scale: https://shop.equidemia.com/s/Equidemia/HSG/payment
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equidemia.celina.skogan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/equidemia