Equine DNA testing for breed identification

[Iznurgle]

After having many people speculate, my original idea that Chips was just a Connie has now been cast into doubt in my mind! I was wondering if anyone could recommend a DNA testing service that does breeds? I used Embark for the dog and was delighted with it. I know it'll possibly be expensive, so much like the Embark was, the horse test would be a birthday gift from the lovely OH. I've obviously had a Google, but I'm a little overwhelmed by my choices! I have no breeding, no dam or sire, an approximate DOB, so parentage feels particularly unhelpful, he's gelded so karotyping seems useless; would genotyping or pedigree searching be what to look for? The idea of a breed breakdown seems to be hard to find, I suppose because most are using these services in anticipation of or to assist in the act of breeding itself. If nothing like this exists, perhaps there's a market for a HHOer with a biology background, ha!

For reference, here's the simplifed version of what Embark gave me, along with a coefficient of inbreeding:





Happy to also post photos of Chips and have people take a guess too, it'd be cheaper!

 

[Sossigpoker]

I don't believe any such testing exists for horses , only tests that check if the horse is related to another horse.
(Happy to be corrected!)

 

[stangs]

https://www.animaldnadiagnostics.co.uk/page/horse-ancestry ? (disclaimer, haven’t done it myself)

 

[Orangehorse]

Breed societies take a hair sample when a foal is registered, but I suppose that is to confirm that the sire and dam are who they are supposed to be.

I don't know if they could just take a sample and say this horse is x xxxx - but Ill be happy to be wrong.

 

[abbijay]

A friend looked into this a couple of years ago when the BD Associated champs came about. She was sold horse as a Friesian x ID but he is as wide as he is tall, enough bone for an army, feet the size of plates and grows full feather (including spats). His passport is generic but for all the world he was a shire horse in my eyes (and I've met more than one or 2 of them). Unfortunately no testing was available unless she had a name for at least one parent.

 

[tda]

I don't believe any such testing exists for horses , only tests that check if the horse is related to another horse.
(Happy to be corrected!)

That's what I think too, sorry

 

[Iznurgle]

Thank you everyone for your responses! What a shame, but I suppose now I can make wild speculations and claims and can't be rebutted, haha. Here's a photo for posterity, but also because it may be one of my favourites of us together, taken recently at a TREC event.

 

[Fleece Navidad]

I'd throw Exmoor into the mix if it hasn't already been.

Whatever he has in his breeding, he's a lovely boy ?

 

[Iznurgle]

I'd throw Exmoor into the mix if it hasn't already been.

Whatever he has in his breeding, he's a lovely boy ?

Thank you! He's a handsome boy alright, and certainly has the opinionated personality of a native of some sort!

 

[stangs]

Exmoor x a war horse? Maybe some NF there too. He has a proper native’s big head.

Stunning boy though, exactly my type of horse.

 

[Quigleyandme]

His eye, muzzle and overall head shape suggest Exmoor in the mix to me too.

 

[Fleece Navidad]

Thank you! He's a handsome boy alright, and certainly has the opinionated personality of a native of some sort!

And the smarts ?

 

[Iznurgle]

The more I look into it, the more I'm thinking there has to be some Exmoor, given he's got no white markings bar the star on the head. I didn't think I'd get an Exmoor from a horse rescue center in Ireland! Thank you everyone for your input, and if I ever find a service that can confirm for me, I'll be sure to update.

 

[Desert_rider]

I would agree with previous posters. I would be surprised I there wasn't a high percentage of Exmoor in him.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

There is the same colouring through New Forests too.

Whatever his heritage, he's a lovely chap ?

 

[Dave's Mam]

Whilst I can see the colouring, there aren't many Exmoors in Ireland. As TFF said the colour trait can be found in NFs & indeed Haflingers also carry the Pangare gene, but on Chestnut.
He is a lovely pony though!

 

[Dave's Mam]

Although there have been Exmoor crosses with larger breeds that may well have made their way across the Irish Sea, some very useful types, some sadly not so. It may be that your boy has come from a cross of a cross, if you get what I mean.