Category Archives: Handy Tips

CAN WE GENETICALLY TEST A HORSE TO CONFIRM HIS BREED?: No, not yet… but we can figure out other things…






Last week I sent away for a genetic testing kit for myself.

Why?…

Because my parents never embraced their heritage so I don’t really know much about mine.

You see, my mother, who was born on a Chippewa Reservation in Minnesota, repeatedly tells my brother and I that we are not Chippewa.  Or, not much, anyway…

??

Same with my father who was 100% Sicilian.  He was born here to immigrant parents who never spoke English and my Dad was determined to assimilate.  My father went on to become a dentist, speak perfect (non-accented) English and to – essentially – never look back.

Hmmmmmm.

Why do I want to know my roots when both of my parents would rather forget?

I just do.

So, I sent away for the kit.

It arrived today and I dutifully followed the instructions.

Soon I will know.

But, then I got to thinking…

This is the genetic kit I am mailing in the morning...

This is the genetic kit I am mailing in the morning…

BUT THEN I GOT TO THINKING…

I have 5 horses here who I have no idea their genetic identity.

Oh I can guess… but I don’t know.

Well, I kind-of know about Remi because when I adopted her from the BLM they told me that the blood they took from her gather indicated that the Oregon herd had a lot of Walking Horse in it.

Hmmmm.

I wonder how they knew that because…

We can be genetically test for genetic heritage in dogs and human…

But not for horses – yet.

They’ve finished the genome discoveries, but they haven’t done the breed studies yet.

Bummer!

WHAT THEY DO KNOW…

What they do know is pretty cool.

I found sites that will test for equine color and certain diseases and lots of other avenues and discovery paths that I had to list because some are common while others obscure.

Maybe this will help some of you.

Here are a few that I found during my research:

Click image to go to this site

Screen Shot 2013-02-10 at 3.16.40 PM

Click image to go to site

 

more

more

Click image to go to site

Click image to go to site

Another...

Another…

This is brand new!

This is brand new!

 

FASCINATING STUDIES

I stumbled upon this site.  These folks are very dedicated.  They are the ones who are really taking apart the equine genome and partnering with many for case studies.

Maybe some particular information about a particular trait listed below might help your horse?

This looked promising...  But upon review, this group did qualify the genome, but not for breed discovery...

This looked promising… But upon review, this group did qualify the genome, but not for breed discovery…

 

THIS IS A VARIETY OF STUDIES HAPPENING NOW

This is a list of studies happening now... you can go to the site now to learn more.

This is a list of studies happening now… you can go to the site now to learn more.

Cerebellar Abiotrophy Arabian University of California – Davis
Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy Thoroughbred University of Kentucky
Chronic Progressive Lymphedema Belgian, Shire, Clydesdale University of California – Davis
Contracted Foal Syndrome Thoroughbred University of Kentucky
Cytogenetic Abnormalities/Infertility Thoroughbred, others University of Kentucky
Dwarfism Miniature University of Kentucky
Extreme Lordosis Saddlebred University of Kentucky
Immune Mediated Myopathy Quarter Horse University of Minnesota/ Texas A&M
Fell Pony Syndrome Fell Pony Texas A & M, Uppsala
Fertility and Reproduction Various University of Hannover, Germany
Fracture and Tendon Injury Thoroughbred Animal Health Trust,?Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom
Laminitis Thoroughbred University of Kentucky
Lavender Foal Arabian Cornell University
Musculo-Skeletal Defects French breeds INRA, France
Navicular Disease Warmblood University of Hannover, Germany
Osteochondrosis Dissicans Dutch Warmblood University College Dublin, Ireland
Osteochondrosis Dissicans Thoroughbred Animal Health Trust, United Kingdom
Osteochondrosis Dissicans Hannoverian Warmblood University of Hannover, Germany
Osteochondrosis Dessicans Standardbred, Quarter Horse, Belgian University of Minnesota/?Norwegian Veterinary School
Pasture-Associated Laminitis Ponies and others Virginia Technical University
Photosensitive Trichothiodystrophy Curly Horse Texas A & M University
Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy 2 Quarter Horse University of Minnesota
Recurrent Airway Obstruction Swiss Warmblood University of Berne, Switzerland/?Animal Health Trust, United Kingdom
Recurrent Airway Obstruction Quarter Horse Michigan State University,?Cornell University
Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Thoroughbred Animal Health Trust, United Kingdom
Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Thoroughbred University of Minnesota
Recurrent Uveitis Appaloosa University of Minnesota/?Texas A&M University
Sarcoid Tumors Quarter Horses Cornell University
Shivers Muscle Tremors Belgian University of Minnesota
Stereotypic behavior (Cribbing) Thoroughbred, Quarter horse, others University of California – Davis
Suspensory Ligament Desmitis Paso Fino Texas A&M University
White Markings Swiss Franches Montagnes University of Berne, Switzerland

Gene Expression Projects

Maturation and Repair of Articular Cartilage Various University of Kentucky
Allergic Eczema Icelandic Swedish Agricultural University
Alternations of Maternal Immunity During Pregnancy Various Cornell University
Athletic Performance Trotters Swedish Agricultural University
Common Variable Immunodeficiency Various Cornell University
Early Embryonic Development Various Texas A&M University
Equine Placental Development Various Cornell University
Fertility and Reproduction Various University of Hannover, Germany
Immunity to Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 Various Cornell University
Immunity to Rhodococcus equi in foals Various Cornell University
Improved Safety of Intra-articular?Glucocorticoid Therapy Various University of Kentucky
Muscle Response to Exercise Thoroughbred University College Dublin, Ireland
Osteochondrosis Dessicans Standardbred University of Minnesota/?Norwegian Veterinary School
Recurrent Airway Obstruction Various Cornell University
Recurrent Airway Obstruction Warmblood University of Berne, Switzerland/?Animal Health Trust, United Kingdom
Recurrent Airway Obstruction Quarter Horse, others Michigan State University
Studies of Equine Allergic Diseases Various Cornell University
Suspensory Ligament Desmitis Paso Fino Texas A&M University

 

PRETTY COOL, EH?

Someday soon, hopefully, we will be able to test for breeds….

 

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

newrule

 

Copyright

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.




HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!



A BANNER DAY FOR MY MAILBOX!: LOOKEY WHAT ARRIVED!! TOMMIE TURVEY, SHINE AND FOOD!


Thursday, February 7th, 2013 | Filed under Handy Tips




Today was an awesome day for my mailbox and me!

I love these kinds of Christmas days!

Honestly, I can be having a very mediocre day and if there is a box in my mailbox, I get all giddy and drooly.

What could it be???

My mind races through all my recent activities… Did I buy something necessary like Rid-X?  Or is this something that I ordered for the horses?

Could it be a prize??!!

I start to fantasize that Ed McMahon finally found me…

I grab the box or puffy envelope and furiously look for a way to rip into it.  When all else fails, I grab my car key and start ripping at the tape in the seams.  (I always tell myself not to use my car key because one day I will break it – but I do it anyway…).

Usually, my bubble is burst when I find Hubby’s regular supply of Prevacid or one of the many car parts he has ordered through Amazon.

But sometimes… sometimes, I get really, really lucky!

Like today!

FIRST UP, A BRIGHT AND SHINY GIFT!

I ripped open the first package – (yes, there were two…)

Inside I found something I hadn’t ordered.

???

As I fumbled with the paper to figure out what I was holding; inside I found the perfect gift.

Flipping it like a little monkey, I realized I was holding the audio CD of HEALING SHINE, the book I had started to read.

How did this get here?!

Inside I found a lovely note from the author, Michael Johnson.  He told me that through a reader, he had discovered that I had written about starting to read his book.

Being a fine gentleman, he offered the CD to listen during longer drives should I spend any time in my car.  Perhaps I would enjoy it…

So I took him up on it.

As I entered my car today, I dutifully inserted the first CD

OMG.

I LOVE IT.

I ABSOLUTELY AM LOVING listening to this book.  I found myself making excuses to take the long route so I could finish a chapter.  Even when a disc was done and I was driving so I couldn’t fumble for the next one, I just let it play again – it is that much fun.

He, the author, does all the voices.  I find myself totally smiling thinking of this Texas cowboy voicing a baby colt who cannot pronounce his r’s.  Ha!

And Shine, the protagonist horse, speaks.  I know that may sound corny but it isn’t.

This audio set is a heartfelt and joyous romp, full of humility and gold.  I really think you will enjoy it.  I’m only on Chapter 3 and I already know I will be sad when I have finished the book.

You know what I mean…

Again, I have no affiliation.  And, if you’d like to listen to this CD, you can purchase it here.

Look what arrived!  I loooove it!   Humility and gold.  Click here (no affiliation) to get your own!

Look what arrived! I loooove it! Humility and gold. Click here (no affiliation) to get your own!

MY TOMMIE TURVEY NECK RING ROUND THING ARRIVED ALREADY!!

Just yesterday I wrote about ordering the Tommie Turvey neck ring and today it arrived!

But you know the best thing? –

IT CAME WITH THE DVD!!

I had been a bit worried because I didn’t spend the money to get the instructional DVD to go with the rope.

Lo and Behold, the DVD arrived with the neck ring!  I thought there was a mistake or that I had read the offer incorrectly.  Hey, maybe the DVD comes with it and I simply missed that point.

So, I went back to check.  Nope.  No mention.

BONUS!

I actually have come to figure that it is a better marketing plan to include the DVD so that people actually learn how to use the device and spread the knowledge – or don’t hurt themselves.  Not sure which.

Anyway, I was thrilled.

My Tommie Turvey neck ring arrived WITH the DVD I hadn't ordered!  Yay!  And, i don't know why... but I'm glad!

My Tommie Turvey neck ring arrived WITH the DVD I hadn’t ordered! Yay! And, i don’t know why… but I’m glad!

PURTY PURTY HORSES

OK, well, this one wasn’t a surprise but I always get a little thrill out of preparing for Spring by stocking up on supplements and starting my “Get’em ready for riding” regime.

For me, and you’ve heard me say this a million times, I have been using Equion for 20 years and love it.  No other everyday affordable supplement – that I have used – makes their coats, feet, attitude, breeding potential (when I was breeding) and absorption rally like this product – reasonably priced.

Anyway, with 12 horses to get fit (and one very old mare), I chose their new economy size (50lbs).  And it arrived today via UPS!

The UPS guy knew the package was barn stuff and he said, “I love the way this stuff smells…  but it is really heavy!”

I just smiled and said, “In two months, it will all be gone.  The horses are like locusts with this stuff – but they will be gor-ge-ous!”

I always love a barn full of hay or a barrel full of pellets, new flymasks, a new jar of THE BALM and I love a huge bag of Equion.

Today was a very, very good Delivery day…!  ;)

It was dark when the UPS guy arrived.  Ahhhh, my Get 'em ready for Spring supply!

It was dark when the UPS guy arrived. Ahhhh, my Get ’em ready for Spring supply!

 

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

newrule

 

 

Copyright

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.




HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!