Táltos Horse Genomics Research Group

For more than a millennium, horses have played a central role in Hungary’s culture, agriculture, and national identity. Industrialisation, however, led to a dramatic decline in horse numbers and genetic diversity, placing this unique heritage at risk. Today, advances in genomic technologies offer an unprecedented opportunity to preserve, revitalise, and sustainably manage Hungary’s indigenous horse breeds. This project aims to renew Hungary’s equine heritage through a comprehensive genomic characterisation of nine indigenous horse breeds. Thus, by integrating SNP-chip and whole-genome sequencing data with AI-based analytics and traditional breeding knowledge, the project will establish a robust genomic reference framework for biodiversity conservation and sustainable breeding. The research will assess genomic diversity, inbreeding levels, and effective population size; identify breed-specific genetic markers for traceability and heritage certification; and develop novel genomic indicators to quantify detrimental genetic load. In collaboration with international partners, the project will further place Hungarian breeds into a global context by estimating historical and contemporary effective population sizes across more than fifty horse breeds worldwide. Through the integration of cutting-edge genomics with long-standing breeding traditions, the project will provide a strong scientific foundation for precision conservation, strengthen national breeding programmes, and symbolically revive the ancient harmony between humans, horses, and nature - the legacy of the Táltos, reinterpreted through modern genomics.