KarynK
Well-Known Member
Over the last week there has been some very sad news for breeders in the UK. The dominant gene causing Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) has been confirmed and suspected in a number of horses.
I have had some long conversations with a very good friend of mine who had the devastating news that one of her in foal mares has tested positive for the disease gene in heterozygous form (1 copy). This is a horrible thing to have to face as a breeder, but she has been courageous enough to publish the results and a warning on her website. We all know individuals in the horse world that will see things differently but there should be no stigma attached to positive tests for this gene, it is very unfortunate and nobodys fault, but people like this are to be applauded for being very proactive in dealing with the problem and being open and transparent in the process.
This disease with the symptoms of Azutoria is found in many breeds such as Draft, Draft crossbreeds, and warmbloods. There is a small positive in this for QH related breeds for the future. Unlike other breeds still awaiting the discovery of a gene responsible there is an easy to do low cost genetic test available with about a week or so turnaround for results. This has come about mainly because of the generous funding provided by the American Quarter Horse Association and research conducted at the University of Minnesota. PSSM type 1 which the genetic test identifies accounts for more than 90% of individual QH and related breeds exhibiting the symptoms of PSSM. There is a link to the University website below for those wanting more information.
This gene IS NOT a reason to avoid breeding from or to these breeds, in fact it is exactly the opposite as unlike other breeds there is no risk of inheriting the PSSM/1 dominant diseased gene providing all breeding stock used are tested clear. So please, if you are breeding from or to these breeds ensure that the at-risk parent/s is/are tested prior to mating.
The Appaloosa Horse Club UK has acted and is in the process of requiring all licensed stallions be tested for 2011 and mares and youngsters will be compulsorily tested from 2012, results are to be displayed on the horses passport.
I believe that currently the British Appaloosa Society also has testing in place for Stallions presented for licensing.
I am gathering voluntarily submitted information from those in the unfortunate position of having positive horses (Many thanks to them for their help, you know who you are). If anyone wishes to pass me information on individuals testing positive it will be held in confidence and not disclosed, but the information would be very helpful in researching the extent of the problem in the UK, and in time to help focus testing. It would be useful to have the name of the horse, but I would at least need the result of the test and the parents details.
The disease symptoms can vary in individuals and are very dependant on care regime and diet but it does require some effort on the part of an owner and the results are varied. The owners of the affected horses so far are in agreement that this should be dealt with robustly and openly and their message to all breeders is please ask stallion owners for test results if they are not already advertised and test any mares from these breeds before mating.
With some difficult but necessary decisions now we can quickly irradiate this gene from our breeding stock.
If you are considering buying a horse you should ask for test results first and if no results are available ask for the test to be done.
University of Minnesota link
http://www.cvm.umn.edu/umec/lab/home.html
Genetic testing link
http://www.horsedna.co.uk/
I have had some long conversations with a very good friend of mine who had the devastating news that one of her in foal mares has tested positive for the disease gene in heterozygous form (1 copy). This is a horrible thing to have to face as a breeder, but she has been courageous enough to publish the results and a warning on her website. We all know individuals in the horse world that will see things differently but there should be no stigma attached to positive tests for this gene, it is very unfortunate and nobodys fault, but people like this are to be applauded for being very proactive in dealing with the problem and being open and transparent in the process.
This disease with the symptoms of Azutoria is found in many breeds such as Draft, Draft crossbreeds, and warmbloods. There is a small positive in this for QH related breeds for the future. Unlike other breeds still awaiting the discovery of a gene responsible there is an easy to do low cost genetic test available with about a week or so turnaround for results. This has come about mainly because of the generous funding provided by the American Quarter Horse Association and research conducted at the University of Minnesota. PSSM type 1 which the genetic test identifies accounts for more than 90% of individual QH and related breeds exhibiting the symptoms of PSSM. There is a link to the University website below for those wanting more information.
This gene IS NOT a reason to avoid breeding from or to these breeds, in fact it is exactly the opposite as unlike other breeds there is no risk of inheriting the PSSM/1 dominant diseased gene providing all breeding stock used are tested clear. So please, if you are breeding from or to these breeds ensure that the at-risk parent/s is/are tested prior to mating.
The Appaloosa Horse Club UK has acted and is in the process of requiring all licensed stallions be tested for 2011 and mares and youngsters will be compulsorily tested from 2012, results are to be displayed on the horses passport.
I believe that currently the British Appaloosa Society also has testing in place for Stallions presented for licensing.
I am gathering voluntarily submitted information from those in the unfortunate position of having positive horses (Many thanks to them for their help, you know who you are). If anyone wishes to pass me information on individuals testing positive it will be held in confidence and not disclosed, but the information would be very helpful in researching the extent of the problem in the UK, and in time to help focus testing. It would be useful to have the name of the horse, but I would at least need the result of the test and the parents details.
The disease symptoms can vary in individuals and are very dependant on care regime and diet but it does require some effort on the part of an owner and the results are varied. The owners of the affected horses so far are in agreement that this should be dealt with robustly and openly and their message to all breeders is please ask stallion owners for test results if they are not already advertised and test any mares from these breeds before mating.
With some difficult but necessary decisions now we can quickly irradiate this gene from our breeding stock.
If you are considering buying a horse you should ask for test results first and if no results are available ask for the test to be done.
University of Minnesota link
http://www.cvm.umn.edu/umec/lab/home.html
Genetic testing link
http://www.horsedna.co.uk/