Scientific ResearchThe Silva Project is interested in supporting any professors or graduate students who would be willing to do research or complete their theses on the Skyrian horse. We are specifically interested in supporting scientists who wish to conduct genetic testing to determine the Skyrian horses' relatedness to other Greek breeds, and in gaining information on genetic variation within the population. In part due to its geographic isolation on the island of Skyros, the Skyrian horse is thought to bear no close genetic relationship to any other contemporary breed. Silva's mission is to create a genetically informed breeding program and assist in the creation of a studbook to be approved by the government of Greece. This will maintain breeding records and facilitate the preservation of this rare breed. Silva is particularly interested in settling the debate of whether the white markings found on the majority of Skyrian Ponies indicate a mixed-breed lineage, and to what degree the breeding program should incorporate ponies who exhibit these white markings. We currently have access to at least one third of the Skyrian horse population, and would be happy to send blood and hair samples abroad. If you are interested in conducting research on the Skyros horse, please contact us at thesilvaproject@gmail.com. Over the past 10 years the Silva Project has established the following:  Taking hair samples for DNA analysis Assisting Elisabeth Bomcke in the gathering of data for her master's thesis at University of Gembloux in Belgium Taking blood samples to examine blood proteins. Organizing education meetings with Greek veterinarians and islanders. Giving a speech at the Gerald Durrell School Library in Corfu town.
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© The Silva Project 1996-2009 - Legal remarks on photographs Updated on August 3rd 2009