Özlem Gücüyener Hacan

This study investigated the effects of environmental factors on gestation length and neonatal survival indicators in Thoroughbred horses. Data used in the study were obtained from 201 mares and their foals raised at the Adana Seyhan Covering Station, İzmit Covering Station, and Karacabey Boarding Stud Farm of the Turkish Jockey Club. The traits including gestation length, parturition duration, birth weight, time to first standing, and time to first suckling were analyzed. The least square means were determined as follows: 336.71±1.56 days for gestation length, 11.57±0.82 min for parturition duration, 49.42±0.67 kg for birth weight, 62.80±3.06 min for time to first standing, and 77.64±3.90 min for time to first suckling. Gestation length was significantly affected by foal sex (P

Coat color not only aids in the identification of horses but also plays a significant role in the accurate diagnosis and prevention of genetic disorders associated with specific coat colors. A wide variety of coat colors are observed phenotypically in horses, and these are determined by numerous different genes. This study aimed to determine whether a wild foal brought to Afyonkarahisar in 2017 as part of the "Wild Horse Control and Rehabilitation Project," which is affiliated with the 8th Regional Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, exhibited the cream coat color, which is a rare phenotype among horses. Accordingly, the presence of a mutation in the 2nd exon of the SLC45A2 gene (solute carrier family 45 member 2, also known as MATP or AIM-1) was investigated. Seven Thoroughbred horses with basic dark colors (chestnut or bay) were used as a control group. The DNA sequencing analysis revealed a point mutation in the 2nd exon of the SLC45A2 gene, specifically NC_009164.3:g.31690653 G>A (rs1140980396). It was concluded that this mutation may lead to the expression of the cream gene (CCr) and the resulting cremello phenotype in wild horses, which are one of the native genetic resources of Türkiye. However, it is considered that more comprehensive and detailed studies are needed to accurately determine the phenotypic coat color variations observed in feral horses, their corresponding genotypes, and the allele frequencies within the population.

In the study, it was aimed to examine the layout, comfort and working conditions of equestrian facilities. While it was determined that restaurant or cafeteria service was available on all farms within the farm, it was determined that the vehicles visiting the farm had parking facilities. While the closed manege was detected in 65% of the farms, it was determined that the average of the manege used was 1.25±0.4. Equestrian facilities are defined as facilities designed to train, ride and maintain horses. Equestrian facilities are necessary to assess the suitability of horses for health and welfare, training and driving facilities, safety of facilities, hygiene and competence of personnel. In addition, equestrian facilities should be suitable for the health and welfare of horses. Facilities must have safe and clean accommodation areas for horses. Shelter areas should be of appropriate dimensions and ventilated. Feed, water and drug treatments should be provided in accordance with the needs of the horses. There should be areas where horses can move without distress and safe playgrounds in the facilities. 20 equestrian facilities in different regions were examined. The examination was evaluated over 31 questions covering the order, comfort and working conditions of the horses in equestrian facilities.

Changes in genetic variation in body measurements are a subject of interest. This study aimed to understand the changes in the genetic effects of body measurement at birth in Turkish Arabian foals over the years. Furthermore, estimating the sources of variation in body measurements at birth in Turkish Arabian foals, considering additive genetic, maternal genetic, and maternal permanent effects and the covariance between offspring and dams in animal models, was the objective of this study. The records for birth weight (BW), wither height (WH), chest circumference (CC), and cannon-bone circumference (CBC) of 2624 Arabian foals born between 1987 and 2007 in the Anadolu, Karacabey, and Sultansuyu agricultural enterprises were used in the analyses. Variance analysis for non-genetic effects showed that the effects of the farm, year of birth, sex, and dam age were significant (P<0.001) for all traits. Estimation of variance components and genetic parameters for body measurements was performed with the average information restricted maximum likelihood algorithm using six univariate animal models in the WOMBAT software. The best-fit model for each trait was identified based on Akaike's information criterion (AIC). Genetic trends were determined by performing linear regression analysis on the estimated breeding value (EBV) of the animals based on their year of birth. Additive direct heritabilities for BW, WH, CC, and CBC were 0.10 ± 0.04, 0.41 ± 0.07, 0.06 ± 0.03, and 0.30 ± 0.07, respectively. The estimates of maternal heritability for the corresponding traits were 0.24 ± 0.03, 0.05 ± 0.03, 0.09 ± 0.03, and 0.13 ± 0.03, respectively. Additive–maternal genetic correlations for BW, WH, CC, and CBC were 0.33, −0.13, −0.19, and −0.22, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were analyzed with multivariate animal models considering additive genetic, maternal genetic, and maternal permanent effects and ranged from 0.340 to 0.924. The low to moderate direct and maternal heritabilities with additive–maternal genetic correlations showed that the variation in morphometric traits in foals could be affected by these factors and needs to be considered. Genetic trends showed increased weight and chest circumference in foals at birth. Based on these findings, breeders may consider these traits when selecting horses in future breeding programs.

Knowing the behavioural responses of horses while planning the training processes is crucial in constituting the appropriate training program. The purpose of the study was to examine some behavioural and physiological responses of Arabian horses participating in flat races against the reactivity to human and fear tests. Within the scope of this study, 15 female Arabian horses aged between 2 and 8 years were subjected to reactivity to passive human test, reactivity to active human test, and handling tests from reactivity to human tests and the novel surface test, the static novel object test, and the startling novel object tests from fear tests. Significant relationships (P<0.05) were detected between the agonistic behaviours of horses and maximum heart rate values in the passive human test, active human test, static novel object test, and startling novel object test. Active human test, it was determined that as the agonistic behaviours of horses increased, the distance to approach humans increased (P<0.05). The novel surface test observed that as the horses' agonistic behaviours increased, the number of attempts to cross the surface successfully also increased (P<0.01). In the handling test, increased agonistic behaviours caused the test time to prolong (P<0.01). As a result, it was determined that various processes in training were prolonged in horses with high agonistic behaviours during the tests. It has also been determined that the trainability of horses may differ within the same breed and sex. For this reason, it is recommended to determine behavioural responses and to plan horse training individually. By understanding the trainability of horses, it is possible to achieve maximum efficiency for their benefit.

Knowing the behavioural responses of horses while planning the training processes is crucial in constituting the appropriate training program. For this purpose, behavioural tests are used. 2-8 years old, fifteen female Arabian horses participated in the study. Reactivity to Human and Fear Tests were applied within the scope of Behavioural Tests. Significant relationships (p

This study was carried out to evaluate the feeding, management and health practices in horse farms in Inner West Anatolia with the aspects of animal welfare. The study was carried out in 53 horse farms in Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, Kütahya, and Uşak provinces. The measurements, observations and declarations of breeders were recorded on the questioner forms. Furthermore, a fecal parasitic examination was carried out. The breeds of horse were Arab, Thoroughbred, local and crosses. The percentages of boxed and tied barns were 60.4 and 39.6%. The average temperature and humidity in the shelters were 20.7°C and 38.6%, the mean values for carbondioxide, oxygen, and ammonia were measured as 848.0, 20.9, and 5.0 ppm respectively. Although antiparasitic applications were reported in the visited farms, 61.7% of the horses were found to have parasites in the parasitic examination. 90.6% of the interviewed personnel claimed that they were experienced in horse breeding but only 3.8% had knowledge about animal health and welfare. In conclusion, horse breeding in Inner West Anatolia is insufficient in terms of windows and chimney openings in shelters, shelter enrichment, paddock areas and exercise, dental care, antiparasitic applications, and trained personnel for animal health and welfare; while box dimensions, feeding standards, grooming, hoof care, tail docking, foal care and transport applications were in accordance with ideal standards.

The aim of the study was to evaluate live weights, body measurements, and real-time ultrasound carcass traits of F1 and BC1 genotypes in a marker assisted introgression (MAI) process. Effects of some factors on live weight and body measurements including ultrasonographic assessments in Musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) were investigated at the F1 (n=51) and BC1 (n=99) cross lambs born in 2015 – 2017 period. Variance analysis showed that genotype had significant (P < 0.001) effect on pre- and post-weaning growth characteristics. The birth type had significant (P < 0.05) effect on pre- and post-weaning growth traits. Live weights at twelve months of age were higher in heavier born lambs. The growth performance of F1 lambs was between Texel and Ramlıç. Myostatin heterozygous BC1 lambs had been potentially heavier than the non-carriers and pure Texel. MLD depth and area were also statistically higher (P < 0.05) in BC1 lambs carrying myostatin than non - carriers. As a result, the beginning phase of introgression processes implemented was found to be successful

En tr The effects of human-animal interactions on animal welfare and productivity are very important. The demographic characteristics, beliefs about mental abilities of animals, religious and cultural beliefs, and values and norms are effects on attitudes and behavior of stockpeople towards to animals. In this paper the factors affecting the human-animal interactions and the effects of this interaction on animal welfare and productivity will be discussed. In addition to some innovative methods are studied like as the attitudinal–behavioral modification treatments consisting of cognitive–behavioral intervention procedures and cognitive-training program designs which target specific attitude–behavior areas in which the individual stockperson requires improvement will be discussed İnsan-hayvan etkileşimlerinin, hayvan refahı ve verimlilik üzerine etkisi çok önemlidir. Demografik özellikler, hayvanların zihin yeteneklerine ilişkin kanıtlar, dini ve kültürel inanışlar, değerler ve normlar hayvan bakıcılarının hayvanlara yönelik tutum ve davranışlarını etkiler. Bu çalışmada insan-hayvan etkileşimlerini etkileyen faktörler ile bu etkileşimin hayvan refahına ve verimliliğine etkileri ele alınacaktır. Ayrıca çiftçinin hayvana yönelik algısal ve davranımsal profillerinin değiştirilmesi ve iyileştirilmesini amaçlayan bilişsel davranışçı yaklaşımlar ve davranış terapileri ile çiftçinin bireysel gelişim ihtiyaçlarını göz önünde tutan ve belirli bir tutum-davranışı hedefleyen, bilişseldavranışçı müdahale prosedürlerini içeren tutumsal-davranımsal değişim uygulamaları ve bilişsel-eğitim programlarının tasarımları gibi yenilikçi yöntemler ele alınacaktır