Gus Cothran at University of Kentucky tests 17 different gene marker systems
- variants of each marker can tell us something about ancestry
- Cothran uses qualitative evidence like one rare variant of a transferring gene that might be Spanish in origin.
- Only found in a few wild horse populations like in New Mexico, Utah and Oregon
- Out of over 100 wild horse populations maybe 12-15 show good evidence of old Spanish ancestry (says Cothran)
- Many have some Spanish background but are mixed with other domestic breeds
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