Recently, domestic fishing production of Japanese horse mackerel has been continuously decreasing. To achieve sustainable fishing of this species, it is essential to acquire its target strength (TS) for accurate biomass estimation and to study its ecological characteristics. To date, there has been no TS research using a broadband echosounder targeting Japanese horse mackerel. In this study, for the first time, we synchronized an underwater camera with a broadband frequency (nominal center frequency of 200 kHz, range: 160-260 kHz) to measure the TS according to the body size (16.8-35.5 cm) and swimming angle of the species. The relationship between Japanese horse mackerel length and body weight showed a general tendency for body weight to increase as length increased. The pattern of the frequency spectra (average values) by body length exhibited a similar trend regardless of body length, with no significant fluctuations in frequency observed. The lowest TS value was observed at 243 kHz while the highest TS values were recorded at 180 and 257.5 kHz. The frequency spectra for the swimming angles appeared to be flat at angles of –5, 0, 30, 60, 75, and 80° while detecting more general trends of frequency spectra for swimming angle proved challenging. The results of this study can serve as fundamental data for Japanese horse mackerel biomass estimation and ecological research.

Many insects form mutualistic relationships with microbial symbionts, crucial for their physiological processes. The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris, establishes a unique gut symbiosis with the genus Caballeronia and consistently acquires these symbionts from surrounding soil with each generation. As a result, the bean bug unavoidably consumes a variety of environmental microbes, including potential pathogens. To address this, the bean bug has developed a specialized organ in its midgut that selectively filters out non-symbiotic microbes, thereby preventing contamination of its symbiotic organ. In this study, we identified a pathogenic strain from the genus Burkholderia that lethally affects the bean bug post-invasion of the symbiotic organ. This pathogen employs a strategy of mimicking the motility of native symbionts to infiltrate the symbiont sorting organ and displays a pronounced resistance against antimicrobial agents produced by the host. Upon establishing itself in the symbiotic organ, the pathogen breaches the midgut cells, leading to host mortality, and subsequently disperses into the external environment. Our findings unveil a cunning pathogenic tactic that exploits the mimicry of native symbionts within an insect's symbiotic framework.

Background: Serotonin receptors can be divided into seven different families with various subtypes. The serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor is one of the most abundant subtypes in animal brains. The expression of 5-HT1A receptors in the brain has been reported in various animals but has not been studied in horses. The 5-HT1A receptor functions related to emotions and behaviors, thus it is important to understand the functional effects and distribution of 5-HT1A receptors in horses to better understand horse behavior and its associated mechanism. Methods: Brain samples from seven different regions, which were the frontal, central, and posterior cerebral cortices, cerebellar cortex and medulla, thalamus, and hypothalamus, were collected from six horses. Western blot analysis was performed to validate the cross-reactivity of rabbit anti-5-HT1A receptor antibody in horse samples. Immunofluorescence was performed to evaluate the localization of 5-HT1A receptors in the brains. Results: The protein bands of 5-HT1A receptor appeared at approximately 50 kDa in the frontal, central, and posterior cerebral cortices, cerebellar cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus. In contrast, no band was observed in the cerebellar medulla. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the cytoplasm of neurons in the cerebral cortices, thalamus, and hypothalamus were immunostained for 5-HT1A receptors. In the cerebellar cortex, 5-HT1A was localized in the cytoplasm of Purkinje cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study suggests that 5-HT and 5-HT1A receptor systems may play important roles in the central nervous system of horses, based on the widespread distribution of the receptors in the horse brain.

The nutrient balances originated from livestock manure in Korea has not being include minor livestock species (e.g., horse, deer, and goat) since their manure excretion unit (MEU), nutrient excretion unit (NEU), and nutrient loading coefficient (NLC) are not known yet. In the present research work, the primary focus had laid therefore on securing domestic MEU for the specified minor livestock species which provides the basis for the computation of NEU and NLC. Moreover, the nutrient potential and economic value of composted manure from minor livestock was assessed on the basis of contents in the inorganic fertilizers such as Urea, (46% N) and Fused superphosphate (20% phosphorus pentoxide). The obtained MEU was found to be 10.52±5.48, 4.07±1.69, and 0.843±0.1 kg/head/day for horse, deer, and goat, respectively. In addition, the measured NLCs of horse, deer, and goat were [N, 0.7; P, 0.9], [N, 0.7; P, 0.6] (Both deer and goat were the same.), respectively. Consequently, the horse, deer, and goat manure have a potential of 3,840.1 ton N/year and 9,390.2 ton P/year as an inorganic fertilizer of urea and fused superphosphate. These findings may facilitate the development of more accurate nutrient budget taking into account both major and minor livestock and improve the manure management measures for land application.

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.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of horse manure compost application on Italian ryegrass (IRG) yield and volcanic ash soil characteristics. Because the number of horses in Korea is growing, the amount of horse manure is growing. Jeju island, where about 55 % of the horses live, is composed of volcanic ash soil. This study was conducted for about 7 months. Sowing was conducted on October 2019. Harvesting was conducted at heading stage(2020.5.). Five treatments were established based on the horse manure compost composition. These were 100 % chemical fertilizer (CF), the combination of 50 % horse manure and 50 % chemical fertilizer (combination), horse manure with 50 % nitrogen (HM 50 %), horse manure with 100 % nitrogen (HM 100 %), and horse manure with 150 % nitrogen (HM 150 %). The plant height and dry matter yield were investigated to determine the forage yield and the soil characteristics of pH, total nitrogen, available phosphate, and organic matter were analyzed. The plant heights in the CF, combination, and HM 150 % treatments were 147.8 cm, 144.3 cm, and 147.1 cm respectively (Table 2). Dry matter yield in the CF treatment was about 23,807 kg/ha, which tended to be the highest dry matter yield. HM 150 % and the combination treatment were about 18,804 and 18,455 kg/ha, respectively, which tended to be the highest dry matter yield of the treatments amended with horse manure compost. The dry matter yield of the HM 100 % and HM 50 % treatments was about 15,801 kg/ha and 14,446 kg/ha, respectively (Table 2). The pH of the surface soil tended to increase after the experiment. The soil pH of the HM 150 % treatment was significantly higher than the soil pH of the other treatments. The pH was affected by the amount of horse manure compost, with a pH of 8.1. The available phosphate in the treatments in which horse manure compost was added was higher than the available phosphate in the CF treatment. And the available phosphate in the HM 150 % treatment was significantly higher than the available phosphate in the other treatments (p < 0.05)(Table 3). These results suggest that 50 % horse manure should be applied to IRG as the basal fertilizer and the remaining 50 % should be chemical fertilizer as the top fertilizer. This can provide the proper IRG dry matter yield with less effect on volcanic ash soil.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the power ranking of mares on their offspring’s stereotypies and response behaviors against a restraining of their desire to eat. Nine horses (2-4 years old) - three offspring born from three Haflinger mares over 3 years - were assigned to three experimental groups (High, Middle, Low) divided by the power ranking of mares. Three mares had no oral or locomotor stereotypic behaviors, but the higher the power ranking of mares, the more diverse and longer the duration of the oral stereotypies of their offspring (p<0.05). Although the offspring born from the high-ranking mare vigorously continued oral stereotypies until 3-4 years of age, there were no individuals that progressed to chronic locomotor stereotypies such as crib-biting, weaving, and box-walking. With an increase in the power ranking of the mare, the response of her offspring to the restraining of the eating desire (measured in terms of the frequency of the oral and locomotor stereotypies) increased (p<0.05). In conclusion, the oral stereotypies shown in this study are characteristic behaviors that occur during the growth process. However, in the case of riding horses, the offspring of a high-power ranking mare and/or one that reacted excessively against restrains, may be better observed and treated in a stall to manage stereotypic behaviors and correct the behaviors at their initial stage.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding TMR(Total Mixed Ration) with Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai of Jeju cross-bred horses on the body weight and blood composition. Fourteen herds of Jeju cross-bred horses older than 36 months were selected as experimental animals. The experiment was conducted by dividing the herds into seven herds for feeding TMR with 20% Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai(treatment) and another seven herds for feeding TMR without Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai(control) and water were fed ad libitum. In the 12th week, the MPV(mean platelet volume) was statistically significantly higher with Sasa TMR than with control (p<0.05). However, both MPV levels are within a normal range and there were no health problems. With regard to the levels of cholesterol, there was a statistically significant difference between the 33.8±5.9 ㎎/㎗ with individual management and 25.4±8.2 ㎎/ ㎗ with control group (p<0.05). But It are also within a normal range and there were no health problems. In conclusion, feeding TMR with 20% Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai of Jeju cross-bred horses could be utilized as a feeding method for horse.

In this study, antibody responses after vaccination against equine influenza were investigated among 1,591 horses in the Republic of Korea using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Equine influenza has not occurred since 2011 and a commercial vaccine against H3N8 has been used. The equine influenza virus, A/equine/South Africa/4/03 (H3N8), was used as the antigen in the HI assay. The mean seropositive rate was 90.5% in 2019. Except for stallion whose seropositive rate was 78.5%, all seropositive rates of other horse types were over 90%. Regionally, except for Gangwon-do and Jeju-do whose seropositive rates were 89.0% and 87.1%, all seropositive rates in other provinces were over 90%. In the future, more through vaccination against equine influenza needs to be done based on this investigation result.

This study was conducted to figure out the productivity of Italian ryegrass(IRG) and leaching water characteristics based on horse manure compost level in Jeju. This study was conducted for about six months. Six treatments were established : non-fertilizer(NF), chemical fertilizer 100%(CF), horse manure compost 50% and chemical fertilizer 50% combination(Combination), horse manure compost with 50% of nitrogen (50%), 100% of nitrogen(100%), 150% of nitrogen(150%). The highest amount of dry matter yield of IRG was revealed in CF(11,965± 564 kg/ha), and both 150% and Combination were second(p<0.05). Nitrate leaching tended to increase until the third analysis and then decreased. There were not significantly differences among mean nitrate concentrations. The findings of the study suggest that horse manure compost with 50% of nitrogen be applied for IRG as basal fertilization and then 50% of chemical fertilizer be applied as top fertilization.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate winter annual forage crops for yield, and horse palatability under horse grazing during the fall and spring in Jeju. The winter annual forage crops such as Italian ryegrass(IRG), rye, and oat were planted in randomized block design in October 30. The horse grazing was initiated on March 17 of the following year. At the first cutting, the dry matter yield of rye was the highest with 4,600 kg/ha compared to the IRG and oat (p<0.05). But there were no significantly different in the yield of winter annual forage crops after the second and third harvests. The total dry matter yield showed rye 12,593 kg/ha, IRG 10,941 kg/ha, and oat 9,424 kg/ha respectively. The horse intake duration of the IRG was significantly higher than the oat and rye (p<0.05). In the first grazing and the second grazing, the intake duration of the IRG was 853.2 seconds and 989.4 seconds, respectively, with oat at 147.6 seconds, and 73.0 seconds, and rye at 89.4 seconds, and 33.18 seconds. The intake duration of IRG was longer than that of oat and rye (p<0.05). The intake rate of the IRG was 60.0% in the first and 82.8% in the second, and the average intake rate was 71.4%. When considering the maintenance of pastures and the palatability of horses, the IRG is the most suitable forage crop in winter annual forage crops in Jeju.

This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of replacing imported Timothy hay (TH) with domestic Italian ryegrass silage (IRGS) as a horse feed considering feed quality, nutrient digestibility and feed price. Two experimental diets (TH and IRGS) were fed to six-headed Thoroughbred (body weight, 475.7±33.3kg) of the Korea Racing Authority of Wondang Stud Farm. The 3 head animals were assigned to Control group (TH) and Treatment group (IRGS), respectively. The nutrient digestibility was determined by the total collection method. IRGS is enough for using as a horse feed because its Relative feed value(RFV) was higher than TH and its fermentation quality is suitable for horses. Although no difference was observed in nutrient digestibility, Total digestible nutrients(TDN), and Digestible energy(DE) between Control and Treatment group (p>0.05), the fact that price of IRGS was much lower (53.7~62.4%) than that of TH indicates IRGS has competitive advantage over TH as a horse forage feed. The present study indicates that IRGS can be fully replaced with TH due to its superior economic value even though the similarity of its nutrient digestibility, TDN, and DE to TH.

This study was to investigate the effect of the horse grazing intensity on the vegetation of the S. quelpaertensis, and the physiological changes of the horse. This experiment was conducted at the community of the S. quelpaertensis (altitude of 550m) with the grazing intensity of 1.0AU(500kg), 1.5AU(750kg) and 2.0AU(1,000kg) at 30m × 30m for one week, and then the growth characteristics of the S. quelpaertensis, the changes of the vegetation, the damages on trees and the changes in the physiological characteristics of the horses was investigated and compared before and after the horse grazing. As the results, the 2.0AU grazing land showed that the culm number had the inverse correlation (r=-0.902, P〈0.01) to the other lands and the species diversity index of lower-level vegetation showed the correlation (r=0.773, P〈0.01) as increasing the grazing intensity.

The conformational characteristics and performance of the horse breed should be evaluated to establish the breeding goals for a riding horse breed. Halla horses are cross-bred from Thoroughbred horses and Jeju ponies. Halla horses have been bred for speed as racing horses in Jeju Island in South Korea. However, some horses have also been used for riding purposes. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of Halla horses for riding purposes, which can be used as a guideline to define the breeding goals of Halla horses. Therefore, we evaluated the athletic performance of Halla horses by analyzing 3-year records of dressage (from S-3 Class to F Class) and show-jumping competitions (from S-2 Class to G Class) held in South Korea. We also examined the conformational characteristics of 15 Halla horses and compared them with those of 15 Thoroughbred and 15 Warmblood horses. In the results of dressage competitions over 3 years, Halla horses were awarded in D Class dressage only. In contrast, in the show-jumping competition, Halla horses were awarded in the D, E, F, and G classes. Overall, most body parts measured were smaller than those of Thoroughbred and Warmblood horses. When the rate of body parts per the average height of each breed was compared, Halla horses showed a higher rate of head length, head perimeter, and lumbar back length and croup length. In contrast, Halla horses had a shorter neck length. Based on the results of horse competition and conformation analysis, it is concluded that Halla horses are suitable for youth show-jumping competitions and have the potential to be representative riding horses in South Korea.

본 실험은 제주산마의 개별 사양과 군집 사양이 생산성, 생리적 특성 그리고 말고기 등심근 부위의 특성에 미치는 영향에 대하여 알아보았다. 시험축은 44개월 이상의 제주산마 16두를 공시하였으며, 처리구는 개별 사양 8두, 군집 사양 8두로 나누어 실험을 진행하였다. 농후사료는 체중의 2.5%를 1일 4회에 나누어 급여하였으며 조사료와 물은 무제한 급여하였다. 총 농후사료 섭취량은 개별 사양은 1,358.49kg 군집 사양은 1,309.34kg이었다. 농후사료 일일 평균 섭취량은 개별 사양, 군집 사양에서 각각 16.56kg, 15.96kg으로 유의적인 차이는 없었다(p>0.05). 총 증체량은 개별 사양 시 66.00kg이었고 군집 사양 시 53.37kg이었으며, 일일 증체량은 개별 사양과 군집 사양에서 각각 0.79kg 0.64kg이었다. 개별 사양이 군집 사양보다 총 증체량과 일일 증체량에서 높은 수치를 나타냈지만 유의적인 차이는 나타나지 않았다(p>0.05). 말의 생리적 이상을 확인할 수 있는 지표인 직장온도는 개별 사양이 군집 사양보다 높은 수치를 나타냈지만 처리구간 유의적인 차이도 나타나지 않았다(p>0.05). 장내 pH는 개별 사양과 군집 사양 처리구 모두에서 정상 범위보다 낮은 경향을 나타냈으며 12주차에는 군집 사양에서 개별 사양보다 유의적으로 낮은 수치를 나타냈지만(p<0.05), 산통 증상은 나타나지 않았다. 등심근 내 일반 성분에서 단백질과 조회분은 처리구별로 차이가 나타나지 않았으나(p>0.05) 지방 함량은 개별 사양에서 7.83%, 군집 사양에서 5.65%를 나타내어 개별 사양 시 등심근 내 지방 함량이 유의적으로 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 이를 통해 개별 사양이 군집 사양보다 비육 효과가 우수함을 확인할 수 있었다. 그 외 등심근의 관능 특성과 육색 특성은 처리에 따른 차이를 보이지 않았다. 말의 개별 사양 시 산통 지표로 알려진 장내 pH 수치가 군집 사양보다 정상 수치에 가깝고 등심근 내 지방 함량도 개별 사양이 우수하게 나타나 제주산마 비육시 개별 사양 형태로 농후사료 2.5%의 급여하는 것이 제주산마의 비육 방법으로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구는 말 방목에 따른 초지 부실화 및 이용연한이 짧아진 초지에 대해 생산성을 높이기 위해 오차드그라스+페레니얼 라이그라스 혼파 경운초지(paddock No.39)과 보파초지 조성(paddock No.44) 및 톨 페스큐 단파 경운초지(paddock No.64)를 조성한 후 2016년과 2017년에 거쳐 목초율, 건물생산성 및 사료가치에 대해 조사한 결과는 다음과 같다. 목초비율은 No.64가 2016년 81%, 2017년 75%로 No.39 67% 및 60%, No.44 58% 및 54%보다 최대 21%나 높았다. 연평균 건물생산량은 No.64구가 13,234kg/ha로 가장 높았으며 그 다음 No.39, No.44로 각각 10,636kg/ha 및 10,235kg/ha 순이었다. 조단백질 함량은 No.39(갱신혼파) 12.16%로 가장 높았고, N0.44(보파혼파)와 No.64(톨 페스큐 단파)가 각각 10.75%와 10.73%를 보였다. NDF함량(2년평균)은 No.44구가 55.90%로 No.64 및 No.39 각각 58.42%와 57.00%에 비해 다소 낮았다. ADF함량(2년 평균)은 No.44구가 NDF함량과 동일한 경향인 31.07%로 No.39 및 No.64 각각 31.71% 및 32.65% 보다 낮았다. P의 함량(평균값)은 No.44 및 No.64구가 0.29%로 No.39 0.27% 보다 높았고, K 함량은 2.23%~3.83%의 농도를 보였으며 처리 간에는 No.44구가 2년 평균 3.03%로 가장 높았고 그 다음 No.39와 No.64가 각각 3.01% 및 2.81%를 보였다. Ca함량(2년 평균)은 No.39구가 0.28%로 가장 높았고 No.44구 및 No.64구가 각각 0.26% 및 0.22%를 보였다. Mg함량(2년평균)은 No.39구가 0.26%로 No.44 및 No.64구 0.22% 보다 높은 함량을 보였고, Na함량(2년평균)은 No.64, No.44 및 No.39구에서 각각 0.03%, 0.05% 및 0.063% 순의 높은 함량을 보였으며, 연도 간에는 큰 편차가 없는 것으로 조사되었다. 결과를 종합해보면 목초의 영양가치면에서는 갱신혼파(No.39)가 높았으나 목초 구성률 및 생산성을 고려하면 톨 페스큐 단파구(No.64)가 바람직한 것으로 났다.

본 연구는 부실초지를 갱신을 통해 목초율, 목초생산성 및 방목에 의한 증체효과를 규명하기 위하여 수행하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 방목개시전인 1차(5.11) 조사 시에는 No.64구가 목초비율 81%로 가장 높았으며, No.39 71%, No.44 65% 순이었다. No.64구를 제외하고는 2차 및 3차 조사 시 목초율이 55%내외로 비교적 낮았다. 연가 총 건물생산량은 No.44가 13,459kg/ha로 가장 높았으며 그다음 No.64 및 No.39로 각각 13,232kg/ha, 12,042kg/ha의 생산성을 보였으나 오차드그라스와 페레니얼라이그라스 혼파구인 No.44구와 No.39구는 하고현상 등으로 인해 2차 조사 이후 급격한 수량감소를 보였다. 10,000㎡ 당 증체량은 No.39구가 70kg으로 No.64 및 No.44 각각 47.5kg과 36.2kg을 큰 격차를 보였으나 일당증체량은 No.39와 No.44는 각각 1.09kg과 1.08로 거의 같은 증체량을 보였고 No.64도 1.03kg의 일당증체량을 보였다.