Horsetalk.co.nz Genetic testing casts light on maternal lines in the Holsteiner horse
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Results indicate that the 75 Holsteiner maternal lineages covered in the study developed from at least eight ancestral founder mares.
Genetic testing reveals that the current breeding population of Holsteiner horses originated from at least eight ancestral founder mares.
The Holsteiner horse, which originated in the marshlands of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, is one of the most popular horse breeds, and is especially known for its showjumping ability.
The maternal lineages receive special attention and are considered important for the breed’s success.
The documentation of maternal lines had already started in the early 1800s. At that time, each mare with unknown parents was defined as a founder mare for a new lineage.