Review: Genomic insights into the adaptive traits and stress resistance in modern horses

Abstract

The domestication and selective breeding of horses have profoundly influenced the emergence of adaptive traits and stress resistance mechanisms, shaping modern equine populations. This comprehensive review examines the genomic foundations of these traits, emphasizing recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics. These tools have elucidated the genetic underpinnings of key characteristics such as endurance, speed, metabolic efficiency, and disease resistance. Importantly, the review identifies and connects gene variants associated with thermoregulation, immune function, and cellular repair mechanisms, shedding light on their synergistic roles in enabling horses to adapt to diverse environmental challenges and physiological stressors. By establishing these causal links, this review enhances the coherence between genomic findings and their implications for equine biology. Furthermore, the integration of genomic insights provides a framework for addressing contemporary challenges in horse management and conservation. Issues such as climate change, disease outbreaks, and the preservation of genetic diversity demand innovative strategies grounded in genomics. By bridging the findings on equine adaptation and stress resistance mechanisms with practical applications in breeding and management, this review highlights the potential of genomics to ensure the sustainability and resilience of equine populations in the face of evolving environmental and societal pressures. This expanded perspective underscores the critical role of genomics in both understanding the evolutionary trajectory of horses and guiding future practices in equine health and conservation.

Keywords

Adaptive traits / Environmental stressors / Stress resistance / Domestication / Genome selection / Modern horses

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Funding

Third National Census of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources(K4050422227)

National Key R&D Program of China(2024YFD1300500)

Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province(2025NC-YBXM-110)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)