title: Morphological and genetic characterization of an emerging Azorean horse breed: the Terceira Pony.
abstract: The Terceira Pony is a horse indigenous to Terceira Island in the Azores. These horses were very important during the colonization of the island. Due to their very balanced proportions and correct gaits, and with an average withers height of 1.28 m, the Terceira Pony is often confused with a miniature pure-bred Lusitano. This population was officially recognized as the fourth Portuguese equine breed by the national authorities in January, 2014. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphology and the genetic diversity by means of microsatellite markers of this emerging horse breed. The biometric data consisted of 28 body measurements and nine angles from 30 animals (11 sires, 19 dams). The Terceira Pony is now a recognized horse breed and is gaining in popularity amongst breeders and the younger riding classes. The information obtained from this study will be very useful for conservation and management purposes, including maximizing the breed's genetic diversity, and solidifying the desirable phenotypic traits.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
authors.forename: Duarte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rojer
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
authors.forename: Sílvia X
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Bettencourt
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: da Câmara Machado
keywords: Azores; SSR; conservation; equine; genetic diversity; management; morphotype