Halla horse is crossbreed between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses and is used for riding, racing and meat production. Thus, molecular genetic studies are needed to establish and preserve the industrially valuable Halla horses. This study aimed to analyses the genetic diversity and population structure through 12 microsatellite (MS) markers for Halla and putatively related 3 breeds (Jeju, Mongolian and Thoroughbred horses). On average, the number of alleles, observed heterozygosity (Hobs), expected heterozygosity (Hexp), and polymorphic information content (PIC) among all horses were 10, 0.767, 0.799, and 0.771, respectively. Neighbor-joining tree and STRUCTURE analysis showed that Halla horses were between Thoroughbred and Jeju horses, tend to more influenced by Thoroughbred horses. Therefore, these results could be considered for use as the basic genetic breed relationships resource among the horse breeds (Jeju, Mongolian, and Thoroughbred horses) related to the origins of the Halla horse.

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
ETHICS APPROVAL
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
AUTHOR’S POSITION AND ORCID NO
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
REFERENCES

• Ji Su Jung(Hankyong and Genetics, Anseong 17579, Korea, The Graduate School, Department of Animal Life and Environment Science, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea)
• Jiyeon Seong(Genomic Informatics Center, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea)
• Gwang Hyeon Lee(Department of Applied Biotechnology, The Graduate School of Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea)
• Yesong Kim(Department of Applied Biotechnology, The Graduate School of Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea)
• Je Hyun An(Department of Applied Biotechnology, The Graduate School of Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea)
• Ji Hye Yun(Department of Applied Biotechnology, The Graduate School of Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea)
• Hong Sik Kong(Hankyong and Genetics, Anseong 17579, Korea, Department of Applied Biotechnology, The Graduate School of Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea, Gyeonggi Regional Research Center, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea) Corresponding author