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.
The most common procedure is for the breeder to order for this test first and then the testing company sends the DNA kit to the breeder. The breeder is required to mail the kit back with the tail hair, mane hair, or both back to the company labs for the testing to be done. Upon the completion of the necessary tests, the owner is then notified the results which are then updated in the records of the horse.
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 Overo Lethal White Syndrome for instance comes about when the Frame Overo is bred to another Fame Overo. In this case, one in four offspring (25%) have the change of getting the lethal foal. Even though it is a viral disease, it easily hides in different generations of horses and must be tested if it is to be detected.
The DNA testing is a must for breeders, there is no other way about it, particularly for the commercial breeders. In this case, both the stallion and the mare have to be tested given that both parents stand an equal chance to be the carriers. The concept that the sibling carries a single allele from each parent, and it lacks one allele of one parent lacked it or both alleles if both parents lack them is undisputed concept. This explains why all the parents must be tested.
As a horse owner, you do yourself a great honor by having the record of DNA information for each of your horses. Other than for breeding purpose, there are known hereditary diseases that will not show any symptom unless triggered. With the correct information, you can easily avoid these triggers. A good example is MH that is easily triggered by anesthesia and a routine visit to the dentist can turn disastrous. Both PSSM 1 and 2 also require the regulation of the horse diet to avoid being triggered.
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.
The most common procedure is for the breeder to order for this test first and then the testing company sends the DNA kit to the breeder. The breeder is required to mail the kit back with the tail hair, mane hair, or both back to the company labs for the testing to be done. Upon the completion of the necessary tests, the owner is then notified the results which are then updated in the records of the horse.
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 Overo Lethal White Syndrome for instance comes about when the Frame Overo is bred to another Fame Overo. In this case, one in four offspring (25%) have the change of getting the lethal foal. Even though it is a viral disease, it easily hides in different generations of horses and must be tested if it is to be detected.
The DNA testing is a must for breeders, there is no other way about it, particularly for the commercial breeders. In this case, both the stallion and the mare have to be tested given that both parents stand an equal chance to be the carriers. The concept that the sibling carries a single allele from each parent, and it lacks one allele of one parent lacked it or both alleles if both parents lack them is undisputed concept. This explains why all the parents must be tested.
As a horse owner, you do yourself a great honor by having the record of DNA information for each of your horses. Other than for breeding purpose, there are known hereditary diseases that will not show any symptom unless triggered. With the correct information, you can easily avoid these triggers. A good example is MH that is easily triggered by anesthesia and a routine visit to the dentist can turn disastrous. Both PSSM 1 and 2 also require the regulation of the horse diet to avoid being triggered.
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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