Equines in the Nordics: History, status and genetics

Table of Contents

• 4 Foreword 2
• 5 1. Introduction 2
• 9 2. Methods 2
• 11 3. COUNTRY REPORTS 2
• 59 4. Nordic native horse breed genetics 2
• 66 5. Conclusions 3
• 69 6. Bibliography and contact persons 3
• 94 Appendix 3
• 107 About this publication 3
• Foreword 4
• 1. Introduction 5
• 1.1 The role of horses in the Nodic society over time 5
• 1.2 The Nordic native breeds 6
• 1.3 Population statistics 7
• 1.4 Understanding genetics 7
• 1.5 The equine sectors contribution to economic growth 8
• 2. Methods 9
• 2.1 The Domestic Animal Diversity Information System DAD-IS database 9
• 2.2 Questionnaire 10
• 2.3 Scientific literature and breed stories 10
• 3.1 Denmark 12
• Background 12
• Organization and registration of horse breeding in Denmark 12
• Population statistics 13
• Commercial horse and breeding activities 16
• Economy 16
• Native breeds and conservation programs 16
• Gene banking activities 17
• Subsidies 17
• 3.2 The Faroe Islands 18
• Background 18
• Organization and registration of horse breeding in the Faroe Islands 19
• Population Statistics 20
• Commercial horse and breeding activities 22
• Economy 23
• Native breeds and conservation programs 23
• Gene banking activities 24
• Subsidies 24
• 3.3 Finland 25
• Background 25
• Organization and registration of horse breeding in Finland 25
• Population Statistics 26
• Commercial horse and breeding activities 28
• Economy 28
• Native breeds and conservation programs 29
• Gene banking activities 29
• Subsidies 30
• 3.4 Iceland 31
• Background 31
• Organization and registration of horse breeding in the Nordic countries 31
• Population statistics 32
• Commercial horse and breeding activities 34
• Economy 34
• Native breeds and conservation programs 34
• Gene banking activities 34
• Subsidies 34
• 3.5 Norway 35
• Background 35
• Organization and registration of horse breeding in Norway 35
• Population statistics 36
• Breed statistics for the native breeds data discrepancies between DAD-IS and national reports 37
• Commercial horse and breeding activities 47
• Economy 47
• Native breeds and conservation programs 47
• Gene banking activities 48
• Subsidies 48
• 3.6. Sweden 49
• Background 49
• Organisation and registration of horse breeding in Sweden 50
• Population statistics 50
• Breed statistics for the native breeds data discrepancies DAD-IS reporting 52
• Commercial horse and breeding activities 57
• Economy 57
• Native breeds and conservation programs 57
• Gene banking activities 58
• Subsidies 58
• 4. Nordic native horse breed genetics 59
• 4.1 Origin and relatives 59
• 4.2 Transboundary breeding 61
• 4.3 Genetic diversity 61
• 4.4 Genetic makeup and consequences of domestication 63
• 4.5 Genetics of the Nordic native breeds 64
• 5. Conclusions 66
• The role of horses in the Nordic society has changed over time 66
• The Nordic native breeds are in need of conservation efforts 66
• Statistical information concerning the equine sector is insufficient 67
• There is a lack of systematic gene banking of native horse breeds 67
• We need to understand genetics to make informed breeding decisions 67
• The equine sector positively contributes to economic growth 68
• Conservation of the native breeds is dependent on private owners and voluntary work 68
• There is hope for the future 68
• 6. Bibliography and contact persons 69
• 6.1 NordGen breed stories 69
• Published stories 69
• Breed stories in preparation 69
• 6.2 Country reports 70
• Denmark 70
• Contact persons 70
• Bibliography 70
• The Faroe Islands 72
• Contact persons 72
• Bibliography 72
• Finland 73
• Contact persons 73
• Bibliography 73
• Iceland 78
• Contact persons 78
• Bibliography 78
• Norway 80
• Contact persons 80
• Bibliography 80
• Sweden 86
• Contact persons 86
• Bibliography 86
• 6.3 Nordic native horse breed genetics 91
• Appendix 94
• A.1 Description of the Nordic Native horse breeds 94
• Denmark 94
• The Jutland horse Den Jydske Hest 94
• The Frederiksborg horse Frederiksborg hest 94
• The Knabstrupper horse Knabstrupperhesten 95
• Faroe Islands 97
• The Faroese horse Føroysk ross 97
• Finland 98
• The Finnhorse Suomenhevonen 98
• Iceland 99
• The Icelandic horse íslenski hesturinn 99
• Norway 100
• Norwegian Fjord horse Norsk Fjordhest 100
• The Dole horse Dølahest 100
• The Nordland Lyngen horse Nordlandshest Lyngenhest 101
• The Norwegian Coldblooded trotter Norsk kaldblodstraver 101
• Sweden 102
• The Gotland pony Gotlandsruss 102
• The Swedish Coldblooded trotter Kallblodstravare 102
• The North Swedish horse Nordsvensk brukhäst 103
• The Swedish Ardennes Svensk Ardenner 104
• A.2 Questionnaire 105
• About this publication 107
• Equines in the Nordics History status and genetics 107
• NordGen 107