ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar

National Research Centre on Equines
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Sirsa Road,
Hisar 125 001
www.nrce.gov.in
Printed : July 2015CTO (Production):Kul Bhushan Gupta
All Rights Reserved
© 2015, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi
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Foreword
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, since inception in the year
1929, is spearheading national programmes on agricultural research,
higher education and frontline extension through a network of Research
Institutes, Agricultural Universities, All India Coordinated Research
Projects and Krishi Vigyan Kendras to develop and demonstrate
new technologies, as also to develop competent human resource for
strengthening agriculture in all its dimensions, in the country. The
science and technology-led development in agriculture has resulted in
manifold enhancement in productivity and production of different crops
and commodities to match the pace of growth in food demand.
Agricultural production environment, being a dynamic entity,
has kept evolving continuously. The present phase of changes being
encountered by the agricultural sector, such as reducing availability of
quality water, nutrient deficiency in soils, climate change, farm energy
availability, loss of biodiversity, emergence of new pest and diseases,
fragmentation of farms, rural-urban migration, coupled with new IPRs
and trade regulations, are some of the new challenges. These changes impacting agriculture call for a paradigm shift in our
research approach. We have to harness the potential of modern science,
encourage innovations in technology generation, and provide for an
enabling policy and investment support. Some of the critical areas as
genomics, molecular breeding, diagnostics and vaccines, nanotechnology,
secondary agriculture, farm mechanization, energy, and technology
dissemination need to be given priority. Multi-disciplinary and multiinstitutional research will be of paramount importance, given the fact
that technology generation is increasingly getting knowledge and capital
intensive. Our institutions of agricultural research and education must
attain highest levels of excellence in development of technologies and
competent human resource to effectively deal with the changing scenario.
Vision-2050 document of ICAR-National Research Centre on
Equines (NRCE), Hisar has been prepared, based on a comprehensive
assessment of past and present trends in factors that impact agriculture,
to visualise scenario 35 years hence, towards science-led sustainable
development of agriculture.
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
We are hopeful that in the years ahead, Vision-2050 would prove to
be valuable in guiding our efforts in agricultural R&D and also for the
young scientists who would shoulder the responsibility to generate farm
technologies in future for food, nutrition, livelihood and environmental
security of the billion plus population of the country, for all times to
come.
(S. AYYAPPAN)
Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE)
and Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Krishi Bhavan, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi 110 001
vi
Preface
In view of the contribution of equines in regional and national economy
and also the futuristic roles the equines will play in Indian agriculture and
transport in changing climate scenario, the research programmes needs reorientation with a view to help the equine industry to grow further.
ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE) is
a part of a large system and plays an important role as a technical
leader in the development of equine sector by initiating efficient R&D
for equine health and production. The activities include addressing
researchable issues in disease surveillance and monitoring, diagnosis,
prevention, production including reproduction, nutrition, feeds and
fodder, developing value-added products and all aspects of management
and husbandry as well as policy and planning, enhancing awareness
among stakeholders about equine husbandry practices and biosecurity.
The challenges in livestock sector are the basis of this visionary
approach while developing the perspective plan for 2050. Considering
the national and international requirements and extrapolating the current
circumstances and issues, research and development programmes needs
to be formulated to combat emerging and re-emerging diseases. The
strategic framework integrated in this document for achieving the
objectives would help ICAR-NRCE in expanding its scientific knowledge
and would certainly strengthen the nation in competing globally.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Hon’ble Secretary,
DARE and Director General, ICAR, New Delhi; Deputy Director General
(Animal Science); Assistant Director General (Animal Health) and all
Principal Scientists in the Animal Science Division of the ICAR for their
valuable guidance and suggestions in preparation of this document.
I also would like to appreciate the efforts of Dr Yash Pal, Incharge
PME Cell, NRCE and his team including Dr Rajender Kumar, Dr Nitin
Virmani, Dr Sanjay Kumar and Dr Ajay Raut and all fellow scientists
of the NRCE in bringing out this document.
(B.N. Tripathi)
Director
ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines
Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125 001, Haryana
vii
Contents
Message
iii
Foreword
v
Preface
vii
1.Context
1
2.Challenges
7
3. Operating Environment
11
4. Opportunities 14
6. Goals and Targets
17
7. Way Forward
24
Context
The draught power of equines especially mules will continue to
play major role as an alternative source of energy in difficult
terrain and mountainous regions of the country, and thus ensuring
livelihood, security to the poor people of these regions.
T
he ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) is mandated
to carry out research and technology generation for equine
development in the country. Since, its inception in 1985, the Centre
has grown from strength to strength with notable achievements. NRCE
has been able to tackle the problems of equine keepers especially health
coverage and import/export health certification, benefits of which have
reached to the end-users in several parts of the country. It is envisaged
that technologies developed by NRCE in vaccinology, diagnostics and
reproduction would go a long way to benefit equine development
programmes.
Global Equine Scenario
The present scenario with respect to equines in the economy and
social structure vary in various parts of the world. In contrast to the
developed nations, which prefer domination of horses for sports and
recreation, however it is livelihood of the landless, small and marginal
farmers in developing nations. In developing countries of Latin
America, Africa, Middle-East, Far-East and South-East Asia, majority
of equines, which mainly include donkeys, ponies and mules are still
serving as “beasts of burden” and are used for draught and transport.
The experiences of the developed countries have shown that with sound
economy and higher standards of living, there is a shift in the utility
as well as the type of animals which are kept as elite group involving
Table 1 Equine Population – Global Scenario (in millions)
World
Asia
India
Horse
58.9
13.7
0.625
Mule
10.4
3.2
0.196
Donkey
41.6
16.5
0.319
Total
110.9
33.4
1.14
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
lot of inputs in their upkeep and breeding. The scientists working in
African, Latin American and Middle East countries are concentrating
on donkey improvement and exploiting this animal as a source of low
input renewable energy, as this animal is able to work with low dietary
inputs. The world equine population with particular reference to Asia
and India has been depicted in Table 1.
Equine Scenario in India
At present, equine population in India is 1.14 m, which includes
horses and ponies (55%), mules (17%) and donkeys (28%) (Fig.1).
Major population of these equids provides livelihood to the landless,
small and marginal farmers and other sections of unprivileged rural
societies. The total population of horses and ponies in the country
is 0.62 m as per 2012 census with an increment of 2.08% over the
previous census of 2007. The phenomenal increase of 43.34 % in mule
population (0.19 m) over the last 5 years is a quite remarkable. The
donkey’s population (0.32 m), however, is a cause of worry as it has
decreased by 27.22% over the previous census of 2007 (Fig.2) which
is mainly due to mechanization of agriculture and transport.
The census positive growth in the population of horses and ponies
(11.68%) and mules (13.26%) in urban areas suggests popularization
and possible shift in the utilization pattern of equines. Approximately,
98% equine in India contributes to the employment and income of
(Source: 19th Livestock Census-2012 All India Report)
Fig. 1 Per cent equine population distribution in India
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Vision 2050
Fig. 2 Population trends of equines in India
the poor farmers and landless labourers mainly through utilization of
equines in cart and carriage. The remaining about 2% of the equine
population is owned by elite sections of society and is used for sports
such as racing, polo and for national security purpose by military and
paramilitary forces (Fig 3).
Two states viz., Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir possess
47% of horses/ponies and 40% mules, whereas about 65% donkeys
are inhabited in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra
of total Indian equine population. Equine population has shown the
signs of stabilization, and two year data showed several fold increase
Fig. 3 Utilization pattern of horses and ponies in rural and urban area.
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Fig. 4 Live horse, ass, mule and hinny export import trends
in the import and export of Thoroughbred horses (Fig 4). Indigenous
horses due to their immense endurance potential are high in demand
from abroad. Therefore, business potential of equine industry may be
recognized and appropriately exploited.
Important Indian Breeds of Equines
Six descript breeds of Indian horses viz., Marwari, Kathiawari,
Manipuri, Spiti, Bhutia and Zanskari have their specific locations in
the country. At least four of these including Manipuri, Bhutia, Spiti
and Zanskari are localized in specific regions. Their popularization and
conservation is required in their home tract using modern techniques.
Major R&D Achievements
The Centre has been contributing significantly for upliftment of the
landless labourers, small and marginal farmers through improvement of
their horses and donkeys by providing superior germplasm. Conservation
programme for sustainable improvement of the indigenous equines viz.,
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Vision 2050
Marwari horses, Zanskari ponies, Poitou donkeys as well as small-grey
and large-white donkeys; have been initiated through collaboration with
NBAGR.
A. Equine Health
1. Immunoassays and PCR-based Diagnostics for Equine Diseases
•
•
The Centre has been recognized as National Referral Centre for
diagnosis of 10 important equine infectious diseases by Department
of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture
(Government of India).
Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays for diagnosis of
equine influenza, Japanese Encephalitis, and West Nile; Serum
neutralization test for diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis (routinely
used in the laboratory); Indirect Haemagglutination (IHA) test
and Dot ELISA for the diagnosis of glanders; EMA-2 recombinant
protein antigen based-ELISA for serodiagnosis of Theileria
equi; Indirect ELISA for serodiagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi;
EIAVgP26 synthetic recombinant protein antigen-based Coggins
test and indirect ELISA for sero-diagnosis of EIA; Field-oriented
Immunostick ELISA for EHV-1/4 detection; Virus neutralization
(VN) test for serodiagnosis of equine viral arteritis (EVA); RoTat
1.2/ISG/ESAG and EMA-1/2 gene-specific PCR for sensitive
detection of Trypanosoma evansi and Theileria equi infections,
respectively; M-gene-based RT-PCR for diagnosis of equine
influenza viruses; HA-3 and N8 gene-based RT-PCRs for typing
and diagnosis of equine influenza (routinely used in the laboratory);
M-gene-based Real-time RT-PCR for diagnosis of equine influenza
and quantification of equine influenza virus (routinely used in
the laboratory); Multiplex PCR targeting glycoprotein G for
differentiation of EHV-1 and EHV-4; ChoE gene and speciesspecific genes-based PCRs for detection of Rhodococcus equi; and
Indirect immunoperoxidase technique (IPT) for diagnosis of EHV1, EI, R. equi, Buffalo pox, and Camel pox; etc.
2. Vaccines and Immuno-biologicals Developed by NRCE
•
•
Vaccines and Immuno-biologicals developed by NRCE include:
Updated inactivated Equine influenza vaccine (A/equi-2/
Katra/2008) for equine influenza;
Inactivated EHV-1 vaccine (field-tested, this vaccine now in
demand by Equine Breeders, Army, etc;
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
•
•
Improved bacterin and outer membrane protein-based) vaccines
for Salmonella Abortusequi;
Monoclonal antibodies and recombinant antigen(s)-based
diagnostics for EHV-1, equine rotavirus, equine influenza virus,
and Japanese encephalitis virus, EIA, glanders and Theileria equi.
3. Services on Surveillance and Monitoring, Disease Investigation and Contractual
Testing for Equine Diseases in India
NRCE regularly carries out nation-wide monitoring and serosurveillance for important equine infectious diseases with a view to
manage, control, and eradicate diseases. A total of 11265 samples
for more than 8 diseases have been tested during 2002-2012 under
surveillance and monitoring program.
4. New Initiatives Undertaken
Some of the new initiatives include development of in vitro
culture system for Theileria equi and Trypanosoma evansi; low-dose antitrypanosoamal nanonized drug delivery; new chemotherapy in vitro trials
against Theileria equi; recombinant protein antigen based diagnostic
ELISAs and AGID, PCRs and variants; use of heavy water for thermostabilization of recombinant protein antigens; stem cells in virology
research; clinical proteomics and genomics (microbial and equine); and
characterization of donkeys to establish their breed(s).
B. Equine Production
The NRCE has been able to consolidate its activities in the field of
equine reproduction, production and services. These include:
(i) establishment of nucleus herd of elite germplasm of equines (ii)
generation of baseline standards on different biochemical, physiological
and hematological indices in equines; (iii) studies on improvement of
equine work efficiency, (iv) studies on athletic performance of Marwari
mares (iv) phenotypic and genetic characterization of all the 6 recognized
breeds of horses/ponies and on-going studies on characterization of
donkeys; (v) cryopreservation of stallion and jack semen for propagation
of superior germ-plasm by artificial insemination (AI), (vi) collection
and cryopreservation of semen of elite horses at farmers’ door, (vii)
development of technologies for early pregnancy diagnosis, and (viii)
development of technology for utilization of equine energy and its
bio-waste.

6
Challenges
Increased international movement of horses due to globalization,
sports and equestrian events threatens incursion of new exotic
diseases in the country, and thus requires strong pragmatic
surveillance and monitoring using newer generation diagnostics.
T
he short term and long term challenges have been framed in future
perspectives for equine health and production.
A. Short-term Challenges
In Equine Health
(i) Development of user-friendly and economically viable technologies
for health and production.
(ii) Treatment and control of economically important equine diseases
based on proper disease surveillance, monitoring and strategic control.
(iii) Trained human resource on equine health in view of globalization
and accelerated movement of horses.
In Equine Production
(i) Development of strategies for greater utilization of nutrients
and training techniques for enhancing the exercise and work
performance of equines.
(ii) Model housing to enhance the tolerance limits of various challenges
of equine under inclement climatic conditions for reducing stress
thereby enhancing the performance of the equids.
(iii) Development of accurate genomic methods for parentage, breed
purity and performance testing of equines.
(iv) Studies on utilization of various services, products and by-products
of equine origin, viz., draft power, milk, meat, skins, dung, urine
and hair so as to improve income of the equine keepers.
(v) To enhance the utilization of equine (equestrian events, therapeutic
horse riding, equine-assisted therapy or hippotherapy, agricultural
operations especially in hilly terrain, tourism, human consumption
of equine milk for therapeutic purposes, vermi-compost, electricity
generation, etc) as such so that this species could become popular
and become sustainable.
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
In Equine Extension
(i) Filling the large gap between the available and usable technologies
and their transfer to the equine keepers through critical analysis
and modification in identifying priorities, and developing
procedures for their transfer with participatory approach including
beneficiaries.
(ii) Developing location-specific technologies for problems associated
with equine husbandry in different regions of the country with
specific R&D inputs and feedback.
(iii) Ensuring market intelligence on various products and services
and their transmission to the equine keepers for maximizing their
economic returns.
B. Long-term Challenges
The long-term challenges include conservation of equines, to
popularize the use of equid-power in routine use for transport, equine
welfare and agricultural operations so as to plateau the equine population
trend in coming years, and to combat emerging and exotic diseases in
the Indian context.
a) Conservation of Equines
Indigenous breeds of the horses are rapidly declining due to lack
of scientific breeding and availability of good specimen animals. Unless
effective steps are taken, there is a possibility of the breeds losing their
identity. Presently, organized breeding of indigenous horses and donkeys
is lacking except at a few farms maintained by the State Governments
in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Haryana,
where limited breeding is being undertaken for indigenous equines.
While the existing farms need strengthening, more breeding farms should
be established for germplasm conservation and production of stallions.
Thus, the conservation and preservation of indigenous breeds of horses
should be done in their home tracts as they are adapted to particular
geo-agroclimatic regions. Formation of registered breed societies would
be desirable in identifying the animals in a particular breed and to help
in devising strategies for their development.
b) Environmental Issues
Horse manure is a major environmental issue which can be recycled
by its usages as biofuel, biogas and fermentation systems or composting
the manure to soil.
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Vision 2050
c) Equine Welfare
Major welfare issues often arise due to lack of access to veterinary
care and extremely challenging work environments of the working
equines. The poor condition of the terrain on which they travel, the
heavy burdens they bear or pull as pack or in cart transportation,
makeshift harnesses and carriages, improper housing, long working
hours, overloading, inadequate feed and lack of medical attention add
to miseries of working equine, which results in loss of livelihood to
equine keepers. Intervention is needed in this regard to bring about
change in attitude and knowledge of working equine owners through
awareness and educational programmes. Ignorance and poor knowledge
is a problem within the unorganized equine sector. Illiteracy, lack of
awareness, and low socio-economic status among equine owners renders
their animals vulnerable to fatal injuries and diseases. Equine welfare is
the biggest challenge which needs to be addressed by bringing about
awareness, training and capacity building of the equine owners and
other stakeholders.
d) Registration of Equines
Majority of equines in India are not registered. Registration of
equines is also a safety issue. Animal tracing is needed for disease
detection and surveillance, which will aid in the containment of
disease. Therefore new technologies such as RFID tags, chips, etc.,
should be used to facilitate cheaper registration systems enabling better
reporting, storage and retrieval of the information. Registration of
indigenous equines by a National Equine Society registered under the
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, GOI along
with establishment of stud books and taking steps for conservation and
sustainable improvement is urgently required.
e) National Equine Breeding Policy
There is an urgent need to have a clearly defined “National Equine
Breeding Policy” to ensure sustainable improvement and conservation
through selection and avoidance of indiscriminate breeding which has
already led to erosion of genetic resources in almost all recognized
breeds of horses, viz., Marwari, Kathiawari, Manipuri, Spiti, Zanskari
and Bhutia as well as donkeys.
f) Sustainable Improvement and Conservation strategies for Equine Genetic
Resources
At National level, there is a need to decide the effective (minimum)
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
breeding population size of each of the recognized equine breeds so
as to ensure their sustainable management and conservation. Since the
breeding males are generally few in number, it results in inbreeding
and random genetic drift and thus leads to decline the performance of
the breeds. This can be avoided by maintaining an adequate effective
population size, especially the number of breeding males. The equine
strength of descript/true-to-breed animals in each breed is declining
and is endangering the genetic effectiveness of the breed. According
to the current effective population size, most of Indian pony breeds
(Manipuri, Zanskari, Spiti and Bhutia) are endangered. Almost similar
is the situation for Marwari and Kathiawari breeds. Donkeys are also
no exception; especially large white donkeys are almost extinct.
g) Nutritional Requirements
Basic information on specific feed and fodder requirement of all
types of working and non-working equids, foals, broodmare, yearling,
stallions, etc., needs to be generated through proper feeding experiments
associated with laboratory analysis of feeds and their utilization for
different physiological functions by different species of equids. “Areaspecific Package-of-Practices” need to be developed on priority in
collaboration with SAUs/SVUs. For disaster management, good quality
feed and fodder in the form of pellets/blocks also need to be conserved
to meet the challenges of nature.
h) Enhancing Opportunities for Utilization of Equine Resources
The major use of equine is in difficult terrains where no other
mechanical vehicle or draft animals can reach with heavy loads, mule is
the only alternative. Equines also have importance in warfare especially
in high altitude mountainous areas. These animals are still a source of
livelihood for poor including potter-men, washer-men and nomadic
people, etc. The growing interest in equine sports and other events
entails creation of appropriate infrastructure and facilities as well as
developing human resource in the areas of sports medicine including
athleticogenomics for understanding the athletic potential of individual
horses.
q
10
Vision 2050
Operating Environment
Due to major shift in the utilization pattern of horses in tourism
and as companion, pet and sports animal, there would be increased
demand of equine specialist requiring additional infrastructure
and human resources for training.
NRCE provides various services to all stakeholders which include:
(i) Disease diagnostic services for various infectious and non-infectious
equine diseases to equine owners.
(ii) Artificial insemination to augment production of superior quality
Marwari horses, mules and donkeys.
(iii) Supply of quality jacks and jennies to various states, breeding
societies and farmers, for production of superior quality mules and
donkeys.
(iv) Provides health certification for movement of equines within and
outside the country. This facility has helped in promotion of export
of horses.
(v) Assessment and transfer of technology to the end users using tools
of information technology.
Fig. 5 Changing pattern of equine use
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(vi) Organizes extension activities like – health camp, awareness and
farmers meets on regular basis in different areas of the country.
Our operating environment will largely be oriented towards the
target groups of equines besides conservation of donkeys. We foresee that
our target stakeholders in future will include breeders associated with
breeding mules and indigenous breeds of horses, people associated with
tourism/safari/sports activities and of course government organizations
such as army, state animal husbandry departments and NGO’s dealing
with their welfare (Fig 5 & 6).
Fig. 6 Linkages with equine stakeholders
NRCE has major challenges for future as research has to be
reoriented looking into these aspects along with issues of climate change
and increasing threats for transboudary diseases (Fig. 7). Further, the
Fig. 7 Future trends for optimization of working environment at ICAR-NRCE keeping in
view the needs and demands of equine sector
12
Vision 2050
research has to be focused on equine nutrition especially in view of
increasing scarcity of feeds and fodder, developing value-added products,
equine reproduction and all aspects of management and husbandry as
well as policy and planning, enhancing awareness among stakeholders
about equine husbandry practices and biosecurity.
q
13
Opportunities
The pathway towards a sustainable equine production presents
a vast opportunity in the development of health and production
technology to meet the expectation of various segments of
stakeholders and to achieve Vision 2050.
S
ince 2007, a very prominent rising trend in use of mules for draught
purpose shows the value of this species in tough terrains, where
the mechanization has not yet succeeded over the reliable ‘Beasts of
the Burden’. Increased usage of indigenous breeds of horses in the
sports activities such as endurance races, traditional tourism in states
like Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir, horse safari have helped in
the stabilization of population and given hope and pride to bring
back the glory to this graceful species. Besides, the economic activities,
equine breeders and owners play their role in land management and
environmental enhancement by providing non-conventional energy
source for household and industry under the changing climate scenario.
In addition to the direct financial contribution associated with the
traditional areas of horse breeding, production and sales; many ancillary
businesses will grow and develop to support these core activities. Further,
nearly 52% of horses and 80% donkey populate the continents of Asia,
Africa and South America. A focus towards strong R&D activities
with development of deliverables in health and production sectors of
equines will help in tapping huge markets of these continents. Venturing
into these arenas will ensure employment, enhanced productivity and
economic growth. A brief view of opportunities in equine sector is
depicted in Fig. 8.
Scope for Future R&D with a Focus on Opportunities
(i) Development of newer diagnostic methods and preventive and
control measures against infectious diseases of equines.
(ii) Understanding pathogen evolution through mutation or interaction
of exotic genetic material, early warning against emerging/reemerging diseases.
(iii) Emergency preparedness in terms of early diagnosis of disease,
forewarning, and taking strategic control measures for the diseases
with emphasis on clinical proteomics and whole genome sequencing
14
Vision 2050
Fig. 8 Opportunities in equine sector
in disease diagnosis and pathogen characterization and nanonized
molecule(s) - targeted drug/vaccine delivery.
(iv) Use of bioinformatics and modern biotechnology tools in designing
vaccines, drugs and stem-cell therapy approach for control of
important equine diseases.
(v) A national policy on disease control, prevention and management.
(vi) To conduct epidemiological investigations especially in widely
distributed working equine populations with a statistically based
population sampling survey framework so as to formulate disease
forecast and control measures.
(vii)Establishment of equine sanctuary and in situ conservation of
indigenous breeds of horses and donkeys by way of perfecting
artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer technology (ETT).
(viii)To collaborate with NBAGR in undertaking indigenous breed
conservation approaches and initiate immediate action plans with
the respective state government’s/NGO/SAUs and, agencies/
department approved by Government of India.
(ix) To initiate research work on equine welfare issues viz., harness
design, cart improvement, shoeing, improving weight carrying
capacity, and shelter management, etc.
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(x) Creation of database and validation of ITKs in equine production
and utilization.
(xi) Promotion of research for enhancing nutritional quality of
indigenous feed/fodder for formulation of ration for equids.
(xii) Explorative research for value addition of equine products and byproducts, viz., blood/serum, dung, urine, milk, placenta and hair.
(xiii)Manure composting could create business opportunities especially in
horse-dense areas. Farmers need to be educated that horse manure
is not a disadvantageous left-over but is an asset as fertilizer and a
source for renewable bio-energy. It is an excellent source of organic
matter and a good slow-release fertilizer.
(xiv)To evaluate donkey gut physiology and microbiome to pinpoint the
markers for efficient nutrient assimilation and utilization (donkeys
and mules are thought to be efficient in nutrient utilization and
assimilation as compared to other animals) which can give a lead
for other animal species,
(xv) To establish equine work physiology and equine sports medicine
with special emphasis on creating infrastructure for studies on body
scanning/mapping for kinetics of racing, athletico-genomics, and
training of horses/riders/jockeys. Establishing equine bioenergetics
and biomechanics for research, treatment and training and teaching
purposes in the institute.
(xvi)To elucidate complete behavioral responses of equines under
various physiological states, managemental and training programs
for efficient ethical equine handling. Riding schools are required
to be established in veterinary schools and universities which can
later follow other general colleges and universities for motivating
the younger generations in equine sports.
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16
Goals and Targets
Rapid advancement
microfluidics coupled
will pave the way for
diagnostic methods for
in molecular biology, immunology and
with automation and detection system
development of rapid, specific and precise
the control of equine diseases.
T
he welfare of working equines in developing countries like India is
crucially important, not only for the health and survival of those
animals, but also for the livelihoods of the people who are dependent
on them. The adoption of good equine health, welfare and working
practices is among the most important ways that people in poor
countries can help secure and improve their incomes, through increased
marketing opportunities in equine sector.
The mission of the NRCE is to advance the health and welfare
of horses by promoting the discovery and sharing of new knowledge,
enhancing awareness of the need for targeted research, educating the
public, expanding fund raising opportunities, and facilitating cooperation
among funding agencies. Following goals and targets are listed in the
area of equine health and production.
A. Equine Health
1. Vaccines for combating diseases
a. New generation smart vaccine design:
Designing and development of specific and highly-effective
chimeric & polyvalent vaccines, edible/aerosol based vaccine(s)
for easy administration and comprehensive immunity.
2. Therapeutics
a.Anti-gene based techniques: These techniques include –
siRNA, miRNA, antisense oligo and peptide-nucleic acid which
could be used for treatment of equine diseases.
b. Nano-technology and bioengineering: These techniques have
potential application in therapy and diagnosis of equine diseases.
c. Gene therapy: Research could be made in the area of genetic
and cell based therapy for treatment of systemic genetic equine
diseases.
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
d.Artificial virus based therapy: Potentially be used for the
delivery of new generations pharmaceuticals, genes and other
target molecules for the effective treatment of equine diseases.
e.Stem cell and regenerative medicine: Stem cell research
has great potential application in development of regenerative
medicine for therapy of chronic life threatening diseases.
f. Modern therapeutic approaches like pharmacy-on-chip, gene
based preventive medicine and bio-electronics could be used for
effective treatment and control of equine diseases.
g. Establishment of state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for testing
doping in racing Indian horses.
3. Development of next generation diagnostics
a.
Biochips - Lab-on-chip, DNA chips & Protein chips: The demands
of these techniques are increasing in diagnostics, drug discovery,
and basic research applications.
i. Lab-on chip: This device is used for pathogen detection for
point-of-care diagnostics based on microfluidic technique. This
next generation diagnostic system could be implemented for
detection of equine pathogens from very small sample volume
rapidly on spot.
ii.DNA & Protein chips: These chips are used to develop
microarrays for application in the detection of pathogens,
to know the clinical profile and screening of effective drugs.
Research and development would be directed in these areas for
better management of equine health.
b. Microchips as early warning system in disease diagnosis:
Concentration of certain micro-RNA in body fluids increases
with the progression of diseases such as cancers. Development of
micro RNA based microchips to work as early warning system for
the body before the disease process and damage alter the body
functions.
c.Biosensors: Plasmonic sensing has been an important
multidisciplinary research field and has been extensively used in
detection of trace molecules in chemistry and biology. The sensing
techniques are typically based on surface-enhanced spectroscopies
and surface plasmon resonances (SPRs).
i. SPR sensor: Plasmonic sensors, stemming from the local
electromagnetic (EM) field enhancement and the ultra-sensitivity
of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to the surrounding medium,
have seen prosperous growth in recent years.
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Vision 2050
ii. SERS based sensor: Over the past few years, surface-enhanced
Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has increased researchers’ interest
in developing sensing systems for molecular detection and
recognition because of its high sensitivity.
iii.On-chip optical image sensors with microfluidics:
Microfluidics has great potential to develop miniaturized systems
for modern biology and chemistry by providing the ability to
effectively control and measure small amounts of samples due to
a need for high-throughput systems. The integration of a sensor
in a microfluidic device can have great potential in developing
total analysis systems for various applications such as the analysis
of DNA, cells, and protein.
iv.Imaging, biosensing and diagnosis based on smart phone
platform: Optical imaging means using light to capture the data
of an object’s physical properties. The ability to image nano/
micro-sized structures and provide real-time and high-resolution
physical information on samples makes optical imaging very
useful in many biological applications (especially in diagnosis
of diseases) and nanotechnology.
d. DNA probes to understand complex multiple gene expression:
The future envisages DNA probes with an ability to detect
complex interrelationships between multiple gene expression and
environmental factors, at the molecular level. This will help in
detecting diseases, which are not the result of single-gene, or
monogenetic disorders.
4. Molecular epidemiology and evolution of equine pathogens:
Various disease driving factors are adversely influencing the equine
development. This trend is only to move forward with emergence and
re-emergence of infectious diseases and hence heightened surveillance
and monitoring of equine diseases including zoonotic ones is essential.
Competence building for surveillance and monitoring is an urgent needs
and we should establish clinical proteomic and whole genome sequencing
platform immediately to meet this challenge in order to monitoring of
evolutionary mechanism of equine pathogens and emergence of novel
pathogens.
5. Total Lab Automation, Quality Assurance and Networking with State-of-the-Art GIS
a. Total laboratory automation is required along with use of
advanced information systems for integration of laboratory and
clinical data and its access for research.
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
b. Stronger formal links need to be developed between animal
health laboratories and public health agencies/industries.
c. New modeling and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools
to be developed to provide additional supports to information
exchange between the laboratory and the field.
d. Reliable accurate diagnosis for public health safety with
International Standards for quality assurance.
6. Microbial Genomics Emphasizing Pathogenomics and Clinical Proteomics
a. Important bacterial, viral, parasitic pathogens of equines will be
characterized for their genomic, proteomic and host pathogen
interaction. A library of various equine pathogens and their
genome will be established for development of control strategies.
b.Reverse genetics approaches for disease pathogenesis, gene
function, mutational analysis and new generation vaccines.
c. Advanced clinical proteome research is for biomarker and clinical
proteome research.
d. Genomics & proteomics of microbial infections: Global
phenotypic changes in microbes and their host during infections
are encoded by the genomes of microbial pathogens and their
hosts, expressed in certain environmental conditions devoted
to specific microbe-host interactions. The combination of new
(e.g. DNA and protein microarrays) and traditional approaches
(e.g. cloning, PCR, gene knockout and knockin, and antisense)
will help in understanding the interactions between microbial
pathogens and their hosts.
7. Equine Immunology
Research work will be initiated on immunology of horse, donkey
and mules for understanding disease resistance pattern and for generation
of species specific reagents.
B. Equine Production and Reproduction
1.
Artificial insemination: Sexed semen and intra-cytoplasmic sperm
injection has evoked great interest in equine reproduction and
work on these lines will
New generation technologies viz. low dose
be taken up to utilize
artificial insemination, use of sexed semen,
the semen of very few
and cloning of true-to-breed animals will aid
elite stallions available in
in propagation and conservation of superior
India, for covering mares
indigenous equine germplasm.
of indigenous breeds.
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Vision 2050
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cloning: Cloning to reproduce extremely valuable horses. Poor
success of cloning needs interventions to increase its efficiency.
Embryo or oocyte transfer: Embryo transfer (ET) programs will
be useful to produce multiple foals from an elite mare in a
single breeding season. Interventions are required to increase the
efficiency of non-surgical embryo transfer. Oocyte transfer to obtain
pregnancies from valuable mares from which viable embryos cannot
be obtained for transfer.
Athletico-genomics: Athleticogenomics to identify animals at
Genome characterization of indigenous
initial stages for their athletic
breeds of equines would help in
potential and train them
conservation of breeds, besides paving
accordingly.
way for its perspective role in athletico
Bioenergetics and biomechanics
and functional –genomics.
of the equine performance
(including donkey and mule
work performances) for efficient energy utilization.
C. Equine Conservation
1.
2.
3.
4.
Equine Genomics: Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of
six indigenous breeds, viz, Kathiawari, Marwari, Spiti, Bhutia,
Zanskari, and Manipuri has been completed. Genomics of nondescriptive and geographically distinct indigenous donkeys (large
white, small gray), Spiti, Zanskari, others), wild ass (Kiang and
Ghorkhurkar), wild horse of Assam, and horse/pony breeds viz.,
Deccani, Chhumurthi and Sikang breeds.
Whole Genome Sequencing of indigenous breeds of horses (Marwari
and Kathiawari) will be initiated with a view of (i) generating
data on indigenous equines as mentioned above, (ii) establishing
breed signatures, (iii) comparative data of whole genome sequence
of indigenous equines vis-à-vis Thoroughbred horse, (iv) studying
evolutionary status of indigenous equines vis-à-vis Thoroughbred
horse, donkeys and vis-à-vis Thoroughbred horse, (v) creating
genomic library of important genes.
Development of Genetic Tests: The horse genome sequence was
completed in 2006, with sequence available online to researchers.
This wealth of new data need to be exploited to provide some very
powerful tools that can be used to define more simply the inherited
diseases in horses at the molecular level, as well as potentially more
complex diseases.
Parentage Testing: for registration of precious equines in stud
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Indian Council of Agricultural Research
book, for tagging performance evaluation of equines, and sale and
purchase purpose etc.
D. Bioinformatics
1.
2.
Systems Biology: Systems biology is the computational and
mathematical modeling of complex biological systems and researches
in this direction would help in understanding the equine biological
system and making its system-wise computational models. These
unique computational models would help us in understanding the
pathogenesis of various systemic equine diseases and hence better
control strategies and mitigating the economic losses.
Network Biology: the network-centric analysis of cellular pathways
(metabolism, immune response, disease etc.) by systems biology
approaches.
E. Equine Welfare and Extension
Mobile health technology (mHealth): The mobile health technology
(mHealth) provides unprecedented opportunities for improving
equine health and production services and reaching unprivileged
population through smart phone application.
2. Consistent R&D efforts to harness design and load carrying
capacity by re-designing cart, improving shoeing techniques and
shelter management, etc.
3. ITK’s with respect to equine health and production to be
documented in the form of a database and dissemination of
valuable indigenous techniques.
4. New trends in point-of-care (POC) to be based on a combination
of microfluidics and consumer electronics for simplified electronic
readouts to eliminate the need for any imaging or optical
equipment otherwise normally required.
1.
F. Popularization of Equine Sector
1. Popularization of good package-of-practices.
2. Initiation of explorative research for utilization of equine dung
as a bio-fuel and energy production; donkey milk for therapeutic
purpose, etc.
3. Establishing Marwari Horse Endurance Racing Schools for
equestrian events by Marwari breeders.
G. Flagship program on Donkey Production and Utilization
The donkeys constitute substantial population of equines and are
22
Vision 2050
used for carting, carriage, and agricultural operations. Donkeys have
further contributed in production of mules which constitute important
animals in carriage, transport, carting, tourism, building construction,
and agriculture. Donkeys have further utility as companion animal,
hippotherapy for human wellbeing, and in leisure sports. The
Superior mule production at farmer’s door
contribution of donkeys has
endowed with higher draught power capabilities
employing germplasm from exotic donkeys
been enormous in agriculture;
would improve rural economy.
herding and carrying materials
with migratory herds of cattle
and migratory flocks of sheep and goats; transportation of agricultural
produce and provisions, house-hold items; and also in construction.
Studies on the following areas to be taken up:
1. Establishment of breed of indigenous donkeys.
2. Nutritional requirement, feed uptake, and nutrient utilization
capabilities.
3. Biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, immunology and reproduction
of donkey
4. Utilization of exotic male donkey (jacks) in superior mule
production.
5. Upgrading of indigenous donkeys to harness their draught power
more efficiently.
6. Bioenergetics and biomechanics of the donkey and mule work
performances for efficient energy utilization.
q
23
Way Forward
21st century is likely to be knowledge intensive and demands
enhanced capacity of Govt agencies involved, private stakeholders
and farmers for higher productivity and efficiency.
T
here has been an upward trend in population of horses, ponies and
mules in India since 2007. The increase is remarkable in respect
of mule population (+43%) despite rampant mechanization. Further,
there is an increasing trend in utilization of indigenous breeds of horses
in diverse sectors such as endurance races, safari rides, tourism, riding
schools, etc. Apart from the utility of mules in difficult terrains, the
growing affluence of the society foresees them as companion animals
in the times to come. Thus, efforts are urgently required to develop
cutting edge technological intervention for sustainability of equine sector.
To address this situation in equine sector, use of technologies such
as lab-on-chips; biosensors; GIS based disease forecasting to augment
equine health have gained more attention. Further, regenerative medicine
has immense potential for treatment of debilitating diseases such
as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, suspensory ligament desmitis, ligament
injuries, wounds, fractures and laminitis. Production of designer equines
with desired traits such as hair coat, colour and athletic performance
including endurance, disease resistance, etc. requires further research
interventions. Development of technologies for dope-testing, parentagetesting, embryo and semen bank as well biopharming for development
of new generation vaccines and therapeutics, are the areas, which require
immediate attention and focus.
Equine industry requires support for growth optimization through
usage of low cost non-conventional feed and fodders which can be
contributed through advancement in understanding the functional
genomics of physiological processes, growth, feed intake regulation
and their utilization. Emphasis is also required on effective utilization
of equine by products such as milk (lactotransferrin for therapeutics),
equine dung for vermi-composting etc. Research in technologies that
allow unutilized energy of equine dung to be converted into environment
friendly bio-fuel would ensure effective utilization of equine dung.
The vulnerability of equines to climate variability and change is an
issue of major importance to the international scientific community and
24
Vision 2050
requires redressal in future for its mitigation through advent of new
technologies which is the main mandate of NRC on Equine, Hisar.
We would like to see our future scientific endeavors in these
directions so that NRCE can extend its services sans boundaries.
q
25
NOTES
Laser typeset at M/s Print-O-World, 2568, Shadipur, New Delhi 110 008 and printed at
M/s Royal Offset Printers, A-89/1, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi 110 028.