Module Identifier RSM0710  
Module Title EQUINE GENETICS  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Dr Basil T Wolf  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Mrs Carolyn R Gittins  
Course delivery Lecture   10 Hours 10 x 1 hour lectures  
  Practical   12 Hours 4 x 3 hour practicals  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  50%
Semester Assessment Essay: Review essay50%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to:

1 describe the inheritance of Mendelian traits in the horse.

2 discuss the relative importance of genotype and environment in the inheritance of metric traits.

3 identify and discuss the biological, economic and practical constraints which influence the success of genetic improvement schemes in horse.

4 evaluate scientific, practical, and ethical issues in the application of emergent technologies in cell genetics.

Brief description

This module considers the potential for genetic improvement of the horse for leisure and sport. Starting with an overview of the principles of Mendelian inheritance applied to coat colour, disease and polymorphisms suitable for parentage testing, this course advances to a discussion of the effects inbreeding and heterosis. The principles of quantitative genetics are outlined and their application to the improvement of horses for leisure, racing, jumping and dressage are discussed. Recent advances in molecular genetics and their application to horse improvement are considered.

Aims

This module aims to provide the student with:

An understanding of the principles of Mendelian and quantitative genetics and their application to the genetic improvement of the horse.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
The ability to collect and interpret information from a variety of sources and apply this knowledge to the solution of problems will be assessed via the assignment.

.2 IT and information handling
The assignment will involve the use of spreadsheets in data analysis, information gathering and interpretation.

.3 Use and analysis of numerical information
The assignment will involve the analysis and interpretation of farm animal production records to identify sub-optimal performance and to suggest suitable solutions.

Reading Lists

Books
Bowling, A T (1996) Horse Genertics CAB International 0 85199 101 7
Bowling AT and Ruvinsky A (2000) The genetics of the horse CABI 0851 994 296

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7