Purchasing a HWSD Carrier?

[TheSubwayDino]

Lol sorry I'm going through a whiplash of horses right now ??? decided I might get a belgian later on rather as a first horse. Currently looking at connemaras.

Had a little research regarding HWSD. Is owning a carrier something I need to be cautious of or will they be ok? I am not looking to breed or anything

And I know that connemaras usually need on their passport if they are a carrier or not or positive for HWSD but want to obviously get a test. How much can I expect to pay for it and would the person doing the vetting do it or would I have to arrange for another vet to do the test then send it away?

I honestly don't know what breed my first horse will be, Currently just looking at potential breeds. I know I won't be getting one soon but even so, I want to prepare as much as I can, guess thats over thinking for ya ???

 

[ponynutz]

Oooh big fan of connies over here! Tempted to say you should definitely get one haha!

HWSD is a recessive allele meaning they would need two expressions of the HWSD allele to have the condition. If they're a carrier they will only have one expression of the HWSD allele and so it can't cause any symptoms. It solely means they can pass the gene on to their offspring.

Normally costs around £35 to test and I don't think it's included in a normal vetting (asked Dad on this, he was there for mine's vetting and I wasn't. Someone else free to correct me on this!)

 

[TheSubwayDino]

Oooh big fan of connies over here! Tempted to say you should definitely get one haha!

HWSD is a recessive allele meaning they would need two expressions of the HWSD allele to have the condition. If they're a carrier they will only have one expression of the HWSD allele and so it can't cause any symptoms. It solely means they can pass the gene on to their offspring.

Normally costs around £35 to test and I don't think it's included in a normal vetting (asked Dad on this, he was there for mine's vetting and I wasn't. Someone else free to correct me on this!)

Interesting!! Thank you so much! I was only really unsure when first reading about it.. like an hour ago haha I was looking at the Connemara Pony Societies Website and was like "oh! Perhaps a connie" and the HWSD part scared me ??? thank you so much again, I am definitely gonna try and route for a little Connie ?

 

[[153312]]

To do a test you have to send a mane/tail hair, complete with root bulbs, sample away.
Animal genetics do it here in the UK I think. Then it's a few weeks wait to get the results.
(If on a prospective purchase you'd have to ask current owners to do it/let you take a hair sample. £30/£35 seems about right as to cost, I've not used AG personally though, only UC Davis. They do it too and it was $25 per test then, but it's a longer wait).

Afaik hwsd carriers can be partially affected in the sense of poorer quality hooves, but that's purely anecdotal and theoretically even homozygous animals can vary as to when and how severely they start showing symptoms. Regardless, yes if you are looking at getting a Connemara, DO get them tested.

ETA - animal genetics £35, UC Davis $40.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

There’s a podcast called Connemara Pony Tales, have a listen of the episode that came out on 17th October 2021. They talk about it then.

Essentially there’s nothing wrong with buying a carrier unless you plan on breeding, then you’d just need to ensure whatever you bred with wasn’t a carrier. If you buy a gelding then obviously it really doesn’t matter at all.

It is becoming more and more well known by buyers and I have noticed more and more adverts are mentioning HWSD status. My connie hasn’t been checked but I’d be interested to test her, she’s the only connie on my farriers books when I was in Surrey, and also up here in Yorkshire that was barefoot all round. Both said she had the best connie feet they’d ever seen.

 

[ycbm]

Wrong info sorry, deleted

 

[Horseysheepy]

Carrier is only an issue if it's a mare and you breed with a HWSD confirmed / carrier stallion, or an untested stallion.

I would certainly purchase a carrier gelding or mare as long as Im aware of point made above.

 

[Snowfilly]

A carrier is absolutely no issues as long as you don’t plan on breeding.

 

[TotalMadgeness]

I adore my connie. He is gorgeous, super intelligent, independent, demanding and brilliant to work with. His ability to learn is astounding and I can't believe how lucky I am. Anyway when I bought him his passport had HWSD N/N stamped in the back of it. I'm sure the HWSD test has to be done if the pony goes through the sales in Ireland (he was sold at Clifden). The only issues I am vaguely aware of might stem from overbreeding - mine has impaired stifle joints plus being grey he gets sarcoids and melanomas.

 

[First Frost]

Ponies born in Ireland since 2015 will have been tested on registration and should have a card in their passport.
There is no problem with having a carrier unless it's a mare and you intend to breed. Then you must make sure the stallion is all clear.

I have three Connie's all have fabulous feet. Two are shod because I need stud holes for eventing, but they could easily be barefoot, the other is barefoot. One is all clear, one is a carrier. The other I don't know because he is 18 (I have owned him since 3) and have not had reason to test, however i suspect he is a carrier, due to his bloodlines. I wouldn't think twice about buying a carrier.

Also connie's are just the best. Mine do everything from elementary level dressage, BE100 eventing and hacking holidays.