Data from: Different DMRT3 genotypes are best adapted for harness racing and riding in Finnhorses

Previous studies showed a positive effect of the DMRT3 “gait keeper” mutation on harness racing performance in Standardbreds, French-, and Nordic trotters. The mutation has also been shown to influence riding traits in multiple breeds. This study investigated the effect of the DMRT3 mutation on harness racing performance and riding traits in Finnhorses. Finnhorses used for harness racing (n = 180) and for riding (n = 59) were genotyped for the DMRT3 mutation. For the trotters the genotypes were evaluated for association with racing performance (number of starts, victories, placings, earnings, and race times). At 3–6 years of age the AA genotype was superior compared with the CA and CC genotypes. The AA horses had a significantly higher proportion of victories (P = 1.4×10−6) and placings (P = 4.1×10−7), better race times (P = 0.01), and earned more money (P = 0.009) compared with C-horses. For the Finnhorses used for riding the owners answered a questionnaire to score how well the horse performed the gaits walk, trot, and canter on a scale from 1 to 6. These scores were tested for association with the DMRT3 genotypes. Although AA horses were more successful as racehorses, the CC and CA horses appear more adapted for classical riding disciplines. The AA horses received significantly lower gait scores compared with C-horses for the majority of gaits. Except for rhythm in extended canter (P = 0.05), there were no significant differences between CA and CC horses. This study shows that there are different optimal genotypes for different disciplines and the DMRT3 mutation clearly influences gaits and performance in Finnhorses.

既往研究表明，DMRT3“步态保持”（gait keeper）突变对标准马、法国走马及北欧走马的轻驾车赛马性能具有正向影响。该突变亦被证实可影响多个马品种的骑乘性状。本研究探究了DMRT3突变对芬兰马轻驾车赛马性能与骑乘性状的影响。研究对180匹用于轻驾车赛马的芬兰马与59匹用于骑乘的芬兰马进行了DMRT3突变基因分型。针对走马类个体，评估其基因型与赛马性能（出赛次数、获胜次数、名次获得次数、赛事奖金及赛事用时）的关联。在3至6岁的个体中，AA基因型相较于CA与CC基因型更具优势。相较于携带C等位基因的个体，AA基因型个体的获胜占比（P=1.4×10⁻⁶）与名次获得占比（P=4.1×10⁻⁷）显著更高，赛事用时更优（P=0.01），且获得的赛事奖金更多（P=0.009）。针对用于骑乘的芬兰马，马主通过1至6分的评分量表对马匹的慢步、快步及跑步步态表现进行评分，并对这些评分与DMRT3基因型进行关联检验。尽管AA基因型个体作为赛马更为优异，但CC与CA基因型个体似乎更适配传统骑乘项目。相较于携带C等位基因的个体，AA基因型个体在多数步态中的评分显著更低。除伸长跑步的节奏（P=0.05）外，CA与CC基因型个体之间无显著差异。本研究表明，不同马业用途对应不同的最优基因型，且DMRT3突变显著影响芬兰马的步态与性能。