Decoding horse gait: AI, genomics and the biology of movement

Why study horse gait?

Walking, running and other forms of locomotion depend on precise communication between the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Although movement is fundamental to everyday life, surprisingly little is known about how genetic variation influences the coordination of complex movement patterns.

The Peruvian Paso and Colombian Paso horses provide exceptional natural models for studying these questions. These breeds are renowned for their smooth, highly specialized gaits that have been shaped through centuries of selective breeding. While experienced judges can distinguish many gait types, some differences are so subtle that they approach the limits of human perception. This makes these horses ideal for developing objective methods to measure and understand locomotion.

Our research

Our research integrates wearable motion sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and genomics to create objective, high-resolution measurements of equine locomotion. Hundreds of thousands of individual strides are recorded and analysed, allowing us to detect subtle differences in movement patterns that are difficult—or impossible—for the human eye to recognize.

By combining these detailed movement data with genomic information, we identify the genetic variants that influence gait, coordination and motor control. The project has already identified novel genomic regions associated with distinct gait patterns, demonstrating that complex locomotion is controlled by multiple genes rather than a single mutation.

One important discovery is a previously unknown genomic region containing genes such as ATP2B2 and SRGAP3, both involved in nervous system development and motor coordination. These findings suggest that multiple neurological pathways contribute to gait differences independently of the well-known DMRT3 "gait keeper" mutation, expanding our understanding of the genetic architecture of locomotion.

Beyond gene discovery, the long-term goal is to develop objective, data-driven tools that can support breeding decisions, improve the preservation of unique gaited horse breeds and provide new ways of measuring complex movement traits.

Why is this important?

Our hypothesis is that the remarkable diversity of horse gaits results from interactions among multiple genes that regulate the development and function of the nervous system. By combining AI with genomics, we can detect subtle locomotor differences and directly link them to their underlying genetic basis.

The research will contribute to more objective methods for evaluating gait in horse breeding and help preserve unique locomotor characteristics in specialized breeds. At the same time, it provides fundamental insights into how the mammalian nervous system controls coordinated movement.

Because many of the identified genes have similar biological functions in humans and other mammals, the discoveries may also improve our understanding of neurological development, motor coordination and movement disorders. More broadly, the project demonstrates how naturally occurring variation in domestic animals can provide fundamental biological insights with relevance for veterinary science, neuroscience and human medicine.

Collaborations

In addition to the Swedish partner at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the following are also part of the project team:

Miguel Novoa-Bravo, miguelnovoa@geancol.com (Colombian partner)

Ilse Silvia Cayo Colca, icayo.fizab@untrm.edu.pe (Peruvian partner)