Friesian Owners: interesting reading: research -health issues

Some interesting reading - I was aware of most of the issues, especially the retained placenta as I did some research before I bred from my mares. Incidentally they both retain placentas so it's something I phone my vet about straight away.

None of mine have ever had colic or shown any signs of it although my 2 older mares both get what they describe here as 'scratches' my welshie always had it worse though!

The university at Utrecht working with the FPS have identified the dwarf gene and as all registered papered friesians have their DNA on file and tested the incidence of dwarf foals has been practically eliminated - the approved stallions have all been tested for the dwarf gene and the albino gene and if they carry either they are not allowed to breed. Some research has also been done at the university with regard to the high number of fatalaties from colic and have found that while the cause of colic doesn't seem to be breed specific that some of the friesians they have performed autopsies on had internal issues - the intestines were not as firmly attached inside the horse as they should have been which then meant that colic caused ruptures and twisting of the gut resulting in fatalaties - the last I heard the research on that was still ongoing to determine whether it is something genetic within the friesian breed. I imagine it will take a good few years to come up with anything conclusive on that one.
 
My friend lost her Friesian to colick earlier this year, and this is not the first time I've heard of it being more prevalent in the breed.

I've passed her a copy of the article, I hope she has more luck with her new horse - another Friesian.

Thanks for posting

JD
 
Bearsmum said:
My friend lost her Friesian to colick earlier this year, and this is not the first time I've heard of it being more prevalent in the breed.

I've passed her a copy of the article, I hope she has more luck with her new horse - another Friesian.

Thanks for posting

JD
Click to expand...

Ebonys sire (died of it too, the year she was born:()
 
The sample used in this study could be questioned... although the researcher intially tests out the questionnaire on an e-forum, the sample for the study is then solely from the Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA) so therefore could be deemed biased?

For my 3rd year dissertation I am also looking at health issues within the Friesian horse breed but using horses throughout the world from different Friesian Horse Associations.

If you are interested in becoming a participant and receiving a questionnaire, please let me know and I will contact you at a later date.
 
i lost mine after 2 ops with right dorsal displacement of gut..... much as i love the breed im not sure i could have another.
 
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