Proving a sire is the sire?

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smurf

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I have a mare who is about to foal any day. it was a surprise (a very unwelcome one) to discover she is in foal.

I called the place in Ireland where she was last summer and they said they were not responsible. Once I dug a bit they said they did have a colt last summer but were 'almost sure' he would not have got in with her ! But they only had one colt on the premises so I would say almost certainly he's the sire.

I know the name of this colt (now gelded) and he's on Horse Sport Ireland and his entry says he's DNA tested.

The owners won't give me any hair from him to do a DNA paternity test on my foal - helpful.

Is there anyway of proving (even if it's not 100% concrete proof ) he's the dad?

I have done a theoretical mating on Horse Sport Ireland so I know in theory the percentage of TB, Connie etc of the foal if he's the Dad, but I can't find any way of doing a DNA test on the foal without the sire's DNA.

Any ideas?

Thanks
 
As far as I know (with the breed I'm involved in) DNA is stored but not tested until needed. I would approach the Sport Horse Ireland and ask whether they will test you have your mares dna and the proposed father against your foal, when it arrives
 
OMG!! So cute and what a beautiful mare!

You could always contact Weatherby's in regards to testing the DNA. I got onto them about trying to find out my mares grandsire but they cant go back that far. https://www.weatherbysscientific.com/
I'm not sure if they can test without the owners approval due to GDPR etc. If you were to register with HSI when they give you the marking kits you put down details of any potential sires so unless you do that, they test the colts DNA against the foal and then you might know?
 
Thanks everyone.
So it turns out the DNA belongs to the stud book NOT the horse or owner.
SHI have the DNA for mum and dad but can't register the foal as she was born in England. But they will release the DNA to another stud book. Sports Horse GB will register my foal and request the DNA from HSI and do a paternity test. Even though I have no covering certificate, if the DNA matches they will passport her with both parents details as recorded breeding.
A massive result.
 
smurf said:
Thanks everyone.
So it turns out the DNA belongs to the stud book NOT the horse or owner.
SHI have the DNA for mum and dad but can't register the foal as she was born in England. But they will release the DNA to another stud book. Sports Horse GB will register my foal and request the DNA from HSI and do a paternity test. Even though I have no covering certificate, if the DNA matches they will passport her with both parents details as recorded breeding.
A massive result.
Click to expand...

Nice when systems work huh 😆
 
I misread the OP thinking it was HER colt and was wondering why you were keen to register it 😅

Sounds like a good outcome for a tricky situation.
 
Clodagh said:
She is absolutely perfect. How are you feeling about it all?
Click to expand...
Still wish it had not all happened but relieved the foal has been born and mare and foal are OK.
Counting down the days until I can wean her and it's all over.
We are not set up for a foal, no post and rails. So have already had an electric fence drama. They are blooming hard work.
Yes, she's cute, but ...... I could do without it all
 
smurf said:
Still wish it had not all happened but relieved the foal has been born and mare and foal are OK.
Counting down the days until I can wean her and it's all over.
We are not set up for a foal, no post and rails. So have already had an electric fence drama. They are blooming hard work.
Yes, she's cute, but ...... I could do without it all
Click to expand...
I get you. I hope it all settles ok.
 
smurf said:
Still wish it had not all happened but relieved the foal has been born and mare and foal are OK.
Counting down the days until I can wean her and it's all over.
We are not set up for a foal, no post and rails. So have already had an electric fence drama. They are blooming hard work.
Yes, she's cute, but ...... I could do without it all
Click to expand...

I hear you. I was so happy when I weaned my BOGOF; my friend bought him, so I can see how he is doing, but it was a joyous day indeed when he stopped being my responsibility.
 
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