The global spread of Oriental Horses in the past 1,500 years through the lens of the Y chromosome

Abstract

The horse has been one of the most important domestic animals in human culture, and the history of the horse is inextricably linked to geopolitical developments. Past migratory events, varied breeding goals, and intensive stallion-centered breeding have created a complex mosaic of ancestry. The paternally inherited Y chromosome reflects the male side of population history and offers a view on the origin and influence of stallions. We have analyzed a large collection of modern breeds and reconstructed their ancestry over the last 1,500 y of history. We identify three major recent breeding influences and highlight two fundamental historical routes by which Oriental Horses spread. Finally, we present an approach to investigate the paternal ancestry of any horse breed of interest.