Molecular study of dietary diversity of the Exmoor-ponies (Equus feruscaballus)

Much is still to learn about the reintroducing of horses in rewilding regards their forage on woody species as are often categorized true grazers and dwellers open habitat. Relative amount vegetation different ingested by Exmoor-ponies (Equus feruscaballus) Rewilding Mols project area BjergeNational Park, Denmark, during winter were determined using macroscopic analysis faeces DNA metabarcoding. This showed an increase relative (December – February) peaking at 35.2% January. The three most dominating common heather (Calluna vulgaris), oak (Quercus robur), scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris) with a total abundance diet throughout entire study period ‘10’%, ‘10’% ‘6’%, respectively. No direct debarking was observed nor evidence trees (data not shown).The current concluded be significant order trigger canopy dieback eventually cause retrogressive succession.If goal for specific includes creation clearings forest stands one should reconsider choice Exmoor-ponies.