Hoof wall separation Connie ponies

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xxmariexx

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I’ve got a client getting my help in purchasing a pony,
We decided Connie, found one, finally lol, and booked a vetting, he’s a class 3, sire is class 1 but can’t seem to find out about dam, we know she’s knockbrack lines, we were on the assumption that unless already tested we should test for the gene for hoof wall separation, but vets have said the test can take 3 weeks, seller at a guess won’t keep for 3 weeks so do people actually test for this? Or if we find out what class the dam is could we potentially rule out through breeding he doesn’t carry the gene? If both parents are non carriers would he be a non carrier?
Any info greatly received !
 
I had a client with a HWSD Connie. Is the one you're thinking of showing signs of HWSD? It's pretty obvious when they have it. I'm afraid I don't know much about the genetics of it, but there is a HWSD Facebook page with some quite knowledgeable people on it.
 
xxmariexx said:
Ok great I’ve passed on details to clients, 5 yr old no symptoms, would anyone still test or is it not worth it?
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I would test if it was planned to breed from the pony in future. It's a recessive gene, I think, and needs to come from both parents. So a mare can carry it but be free of it herself. I wouldn't test a gelding with good feet.
 
have you rung the labs to see how long it would take and if they can do it quickly? Don't forget to take the hair yourself. I used to look at the HWSD facebook page a lot. I would never ever buy a connie without testing. I have seen how upset people have been when there is little alternative but to PTS. I would hate to always be wondering. You would be better asking your questions thro the FB HWSD page.
 
Mine has it, I wished I had known about it before, he looked like he had good feet when I bought him but nope, he's got Connemara HWSS. I would definitely test any Connie I was buying if it had not already been done.
 
Absolutely test. But most (if not all now) registered Connie breeders publish the HWSS test results for the sire and dam. Its simple recessive - so to develop it the pony must have both sire and dam as carriers. Then there is a 1 in 4 chance they'll get it and most people would not buy at that point. It is totally horrible - and very expensive. If one parent is proven double negative (not a carrier) then the pony will not develop it but may carry it. If you are not going to breed it won;t matter that he carries it.

If you can't check the status of either parent then absolutely test.
 
Having had one pts at 8 because of this I absolutely would test
It’s such a variable thing, one month the feet could look ok, the next they fall apart.
 
I am in the process of buying a connemara - still at the searching stage - and it has amazed me how many people do not know about HWSD. Not one seller I have spoken to has been aware of either the test or the condition. It will be interesting to see how it is addressed at the forthcoming connemara sales - hopefully most of the ponies put forward will have been tested.
 
Sadly too many Carrier mares are being bred from here in Ireland - not because they're anything exceptionally special, but just because they are mares.

Granted the ones I know of are put to Clear stallions, but you still get a 50/50 chance of foal being a carrier and once its sold you cannot guarantee that some idiot wont put it to something untested and produce Affected foals 😔

If you have any plans to breed at all (or even sell on in future), then testing is a must imo!
 
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