As a horse owner or a horse breeder, everything may seem normal until your horse is attacked by a strange disease and there is little you can do about it. Other than the financial impact that you are not prepared for, you go through an emotional pain when you lose a horse you are really attached to. There are several diseases found in horse family that are hereditary and can be avoided through selective breeding. The DNA testing for horses is a scientific procedure used to detect genes responsible for some horse disease and colors.
For the Stock Horse breeds, including Appaloosa, Quarter Horse, and Paint Horse, the most common genetically related or hereditary diseases include the Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP), PSSM1 and PSSM2, GBED, the HERDA, and the MH.
The cost can vary widely depending on the company you are dealing with, the number and types of tests among other factors. However, being an association member can help you cut the cost as most companies offer discounts for their members.
As for the Belgian Draft Horse breeds and other closely related breeds, the owner needs to be on the lookout for the Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa 1 (JEB1) and the JEB2 for the American Saddlebred breeds.
The most commonly used procedure is that the breeder or the horse owner requests the company of his choice for the DNA test. The company responds by sending the test kit to the breeder who collects the specified samples such as the tail hair and the mane hair. The sample is mailed to the company that does the test and then processes the results. The owner or breeder is informed of the results and is required to update the results on the horse records.
In such kind of tests, both the stallions as well as the mares have to undergo the test. Genetically, an offspring is known to take one allele, or lack of it from each of the parents. As such, the chance of a mare passing genetically related diseases is equal to that of the stallion. As the breeder, you are obligated to know the status of both prospective parents before you can allow them to breed.
The DNA testing is not the job of breeders only; even the horse owners need these records. There are several hereditary diseases that do not show symptoms and have to be triggered before they show. The MH for instance, can be triggered by anesthesia. As such, you have to be well prepared unless you want a dead horse after a dentist visit. PSSM 1 & 2 can be regulated by managing the diet, and this is only possible if the owner is aware of this condition.
The same can be said of the PSSM. Normally, it is easily manageable through a properly regulated diet. However, if the owner is unaware, there can be a major problem. Since the labs that test the horse DNA also test the color, all the tests should be done all at once. Depending on the breed, the DNA testing may be necessary or just optional.
For the Stock Horse breeds, including Appaloosa, Quarter Horse, and Paint Horse, the most common genetically related or hereditary diseases include the Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP), PSSM1 and PSSM2, GBED, the HERDA, and the MH.
The cost can vary widely depending on the company you are dealing with, the number and types of tests among other factors. However, being an association member can help you cut the cost as most companies offer discounts for their members.
As for the Belgian Draft Horse breeds and other closely related breeds, the owner needs to be on the lookout for the Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa 1 (JEB1) and the JEB2 for the American Saddlebred breeds.
The most commonly used procedure is that the breeder or the horse owner requests the company of his choice for the DNA test. The company responds by sending the test kit to the breeder who collects the specified samples such as the tail hair and the mane hair. The sample is mailed to the company that does the test and then processes the results. The owner or breeder is informed of the results and is required to update the results on the horse records.
In such kind of tests, both the stallions as well as the mares have to undergo the test. Genetically, an offspring is known to take one allele, or lack of it from each of the parents. As such, the chance of a mare passing genetically related diseases is equal to that of the stallion. As the breeder, you are obligated to know the status of both prospective parents before you can allow them to breed.
The DNA testing is not the job of breeders only; even the horse owners need these records. There are several hereditary diseases that do not show symptoms and have to be triggered before they show. The MH for instance, can be triggered by anesthesia. As such, you have to be well prepared unless you want a dead horse after a dentist visit. PSSM 1 & 2 can be regulated by managing the diet, and this is only possible if the owner is aware of this condition.
The same can be said of the PSSM. Normally, it is easily manageable through a properly regulated diet. However, if the owner is unaware, there can be a major problem. Since the labs that test the horse DNA also test the color, all the tests should be done all at once. Depending on the breed, the DNA testing may be necessary or just optional.
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