Horses Content

More Genes, Fewer Toes: Were Gene Copies the Key to an Evolutionary Leap for Horses?

Andy Fell — June 12, 2023 - 10:25am

Eighteen million years ago, a genetic duplication event coincided with the evolutionary split between horses and their four-toed, forest-browsing ancestors. A recent study, led by Professor Danika Bannasch, Department of Population Health and Reproduction in the 51�ԹϺ�� Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and graduate student Kevin Batcher investigated specific genetic duplications in horses, finding evidence of important roles for these elements and countering historical conventions that they have no f

Veterinary Genetics Lab Identifies Novel Mutation in Standardbred Horse

Andy Fell — June 08, 2022 - 2:16pm

The field of genetics has enabled us to predict susceptibility to heritable diseases and map the genome of many species. Now, modern genetics and the birth of a unique foal in New Zealand has provided a successful example of tracking a mutation at its origin.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis Equine Veterinary Program to Expand With Donation of Templeton Farms

Amy M Quinton — December 17, 2021 - 12:00pm

Templeton Farms, a world-class sport horse facility near Paso Robles, is being donated to 51�ԹϺ�� Davis School of Veterinary Medicine's Center for Equine Health.

What is the History Behind the Maddy Lab Racetrack Poles?

Karen Michele Nikos — October 13, 2021 - 11:30am

The black-and-white-striped poles around the outside of the Maddy Equine Lab are once again fit for the Sport of Kings.

How Zebra Stripes Disrupt Flies’ Flight Patterns

Katherine E Kerlin — February 20, 2019 - 3:36pm

Scientists learned in recent years why zebras have black and white stripes — to avoid biting flies. But a study published today in the journal PLOS ONE probes the question further: What is it about stripes that actually disrupts a biting fly’s ability to land on a zebra and suck its blood?

Saving a Dying Breed

Amy M Quinton — April 05, 2018 - 9:37am

Wild horses that once roamed Santa Cruz Island are now off the island, after more than a century. 51�ԹϺ�� Davis researchers are working to preserve their unique genetics.

Veteran Students, Horses Partner in Care at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis

Julia Ann Easley — January 08, 2018 - 4:03pm

51�ԹϺ�� Davis student and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Edgar Garcia brushed the hair along a horse’s neck, back and sides. Here, grooming was more than preparation for riding — it was an age-old ritual bonding human and horse in trust and care.

Garcia is one of the early participants in a new program that pairs student veterans with horses to help them get involved in campus life and enjoy much needed relaxation.

“Horses make you forget about everything,” said the senior majoring in evolutionary anthropology. “I was so relaxed.”

Newborn Horses Give Clues to Autism

Robyn Frances Huey — February 03, 2015 - 8:00am

Just a few hours after its birth, the long-legged brown foal stands in its stall, appearing on first glance to be sound, sturdy and healthy. But something is very wrong with this newborn horse.