Horse genome

The horse genome was first sequenced in 2006. This means scientists learned the exact order of all the tiny parts that make up a horse's DNA. They mapped 2.7 billion DNA base pairs, and shared the full map in 2009. The horse genome is bigger than the dog genome but smaller than the human genome or the bovine genome.

Horses share many health issues with humans, so studying the horse genome helps both horses and people. Nearly half of the chromosomes in the horse genome match with human chromosomes in a special way, called synteny. This helps scientists learn about diseases in both animals and humans. The project cost $15 million and was funded by groups like the National Human Genome Research Institute and the National Institutes of Health.

The first horse to have its genome fully sequenced was a Thoroughbred mare named Twilight. Researchers also studied many other horse breeds to learn about genetic differences. In 2012, another horse named Sugar had her genome sequenced, showing millions of genetic differences from Twilight. This helps scientists understand how genes affect a horse's traits and health.