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The World Ride |
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The World Ride DNA Project There are a number of aims involved in creating the Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation’s Equine DNA Database (LRGAF – EDD), the world’s first complete equine genetic library. They are:
- to create the first complete master list of every equine breed, - to collect DNA from every known breed, - to identify the breeds in danger of extinction, - to contribute to the conservation of these breeds, - to promote equine genetic research in a variety of academic fields, - to compile the results of the scientific investigations and to disseminate this information internationally, - to collaborate with academic institutions on educational programmes related to the study of equine DNA.
To accomplish these goals, the Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation, a global centre of equine investigation, has altered the landscape by instituting a new dialogue between scientists and the Earth’s equestrian community. And while Basha O’Reilly and the LRGAF recognise the importance of working with leading equine hereditary specialists, the World Ride is designed to be an interactive equestrian event, one which not only encourages “crowd-sourcing” the search for equine DNA samples, but will also inspire collaboration between horse-humans and scientists.
Fostering this sense of cooperation is critical because, although DNA research will eventually unlock a hidden universe of scientific secrets in the equestrian world, the world’s leading genetic research facility currently possesses only a handful of samples from the hundreds of equine breeds on the planet.
“The DNA part of the World Ride offers a wonderful opportunity to create a meaningful legacy by supporting an original mission which will advance knowledge about horses, as well as highlighting the potential to help save geographically isolated populations that are at risk of extinction. I look forward to being part of this historic project,” said Professor Gus Cothran, the first academic expert to lend his help and advice to the project.
Because of the enormous potential for scientific advancement, and since politics often get in the way of progress, it is hoped the World Ride will eventually result in the creation of international “DNA Dream Team,” one wherein experts from a host of countries cooperate so as to protect and promote the horse.
Professor Matthew Binns, an equine genetics expert and professor at the Royal Veterinary College, and Bonnie Hendricks, author of “The International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds,” the most complete compilation of horse breeds ever attempted, have already provided their enthusiastic support.
During the journey Basha will collect hair samples from the breeds she encounters. In addition to collecting the tail hair samples containing the DNA, each horse will be photographed and an equine biography confirming the breed, age, height, colour, name and geographic location of animal and owner will be created. At the same time an international appeal is being broadcast to horse-owners around the world, asking them to provide a photo and hair samples so that their horse might represent that specific breed in this global project. The DNA samples and data from this ground-breaking project will be guarded by the The Scientific Exploration Society near London while the journey is in progress.
Nor is this a mere intellectual exercise, as with life on Earth disappearing at an alarming rate, and with celebrated breeds ranging from the giant Shire draft horse to the plucky Dartmoor pony in danger, the implications of the LRGAF-EDD are far-reaching. It would be tragically ironic if the genetic opportunities awaiting us are squandered due to a lack of participation. Thus cooperating to protect endangered breeds via the creation of an genetic data bank is a pressing priority. Scientific research is not a one-way process. That is why many of the world’s Long Riders have already donated DNA samples from their famous Road Horses. From the steppes of Mongolia, the moors of Cornwall, the deserts of Arizona, the mountains of Switzerland, the plains of America, the highlands of Scotland, the jungles of India and the veldt of Africa, equestrian explorers have already sent in samples.
This is a time of untamed optimism in the world of equestrian exploration, and in order to encourage an architecture of public participation, everyone who either owns, rides or knows of a horse is invited to help create the world’s first equine DNA library. Here is the World Ride list of all known Equine Breeds. If you know of a missing breed, please contact us. Here is the World Ride list of Equine Breeds by Country. If you can clarify or add to this document, please contact us.
Your horse can be part of this global effort too.
Please check the World Ride list of Equine Breeds to see if your horse’s breed is represented. If not please print and complete the World Ride DNA Form.
You will be asked to submit a hair sample from your horse, note the date, age, sex, height, colour and breed of the animal, along with the name and contact details of the owner. Also a photo of each horse is required. This information will then be listed in the Guild’s master DNA list and the selected horse will represent that breed in the LRGAF-EDD.
In the case of several samples from the same breed being submitted, The Guild will select the first to arrive.
Send your horse’s DNA hair sample, and the completed form, to: The Long Riders’ Guild DNA Project P.O. Box 1532 Glasgow, Kentucky USA 42141
When the equine data bank project is complete, it is hoped that this unique form of equine knowledge will form part of Professor Paul Hebert’s revolutionary genetic barcode project currently under way at the University of Guelph in Canada.
The US Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute has 1271 genetic projects currently under way, but none of them involve horses. In contrast the LRGAF-EDD project will enlist the productive potential of millions of on-line horse-humans, tapping their latent contacts in the equestrian world via a Net-fuelled word-of-mouth machine. This in turn will encourage the genetic study of the extraordinary symbiotic relationship which has existed between horse and humans for thousands of years. Upon completion, the reader/rider will be able to quickly discern how vast and unexplored is the world of equine DNA.
In 1501, Aldus Manutius, a Venetian printer, published the writings of the classical poet Virgil. What made this book extraordinary was that it was much smaller than earlier books, having been intentionally designed to fit into the saddlebags of an equestrian traveller. Subsequently, thanks to this forgotten equestrian influence, the world's wisdom has been made available in transportable books in what is known as the Octavo size.
As history proves, scientific breakthroughs often result from the efforts of equestrian upstarts such as Linnaeus and Darwin. Like those equestrian explorers who preceded and inspired her, Basha O’Reilly is setting off in search of scientific evidence that will benefit horses and humanity for generations to come. You and your horse are encouraged to join her in this global search for knowledge. Horses & Humans = Scientific Advancement – Again ! |
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