Current Updates on Equidae Breeding and Genetics
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 419
Special Issue Editors
Interests: conservation and breeding programs; breeding values prediction; population genetic structure; horse breeding and selection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: conservation and breeding programs; breeding value prediction; population genetic structure; genetic robustness; horse breeding and selection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The genetic improvement of equidae populations presents unique challenges due to specie-specific characteristics such as long generation intervals, the low heritability of certain traits of interest and complex environmental influences on performance controls, including rider–horse interactions. Despite these challenges, modern breeding programs have evolved beyond traditional selection for performance and conformation to incorporate traits related to fertility, health, longevity and/or behavior. Today, optimized selection strategies that integrate genealogical and genomic information are essential for achieving sustainable breeding and conservation goals. Also, the precision livestock farming techniques provide new phenotypes that are useful for breeding programs. Moreover, comprehensive studies on breeding-related traits contribute to efficient selection by breeders.
Additionally, we encourage submissions on donkeys and mules, which are historically underrepresented in the scientific research. With their populations declining worldwide, studies on issues related to their breeding and genetics are welcomed.
Population and genomic studies provide critical insights into genetic diversity, population structure and breed evolution, offering valuable tools for informed conservation and selective breeding. Understanding the genomic architecture of equidae breeds enables the identification of genetic markers associated with desirable traits and the development of innovative breeding strategies to enhance health, welfare and athletic performance, all of which are of great interest to the equidae sector at an international level.
This Special Issue invites original research articles and reviews exploring quantitative, molecular and genomic genetics in equidae populations, as well as other analyses related to breeding improvement and conservation. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, genetic evaluations for performance traits, disease susceptibility, hereditary disorders, breed diversity, evolutionary history and conservation strategies for endangered populations. We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. María Dolores Gómez
Dr. Isabel Cervantes
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- complex trait
- selection
- animal welfare
- genomic inbreeding
- horse
- donkey
- mule
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