Horses
Popular Sire Effect
You may have noticed that all horses in the 2025 Kentucky Derby are descendants of Secretariat. From a genetic perspective, this is an example of a relatively common trend in breeding: breeding mares to top-performing stallions. These sires are often exceptional in some way and therefore preferred by breeders, who hope their qualities will be passed on to their offspring. However, these breeding decisions inevitably shape the entire breed population, not always for the better. Let’s discuss what is known as the popular sire effect.
Genetic Aspects of Cancer in Horses
The three most common cancers in horses are sarcoids, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. All of these are suspected - or even confirmed - to be hereditary cancer syndromes.
Fragile Foal Syndrome – Not Only a Warmblood Problem
With breeding season in full swing here in the Northern Hemisphere, some genetic diseases are being mentioned more frequently than others. Fragile Foal Syndrome (FFS), also known as Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS), is one of them. It is a disease most often associated with dressage warmbloods, but it can also be found in show jumpers, eventers, and — although much less frequently — in Paint Horses, Thoroughbreds, and other breeds.
EquineTest is a plastic horseshoe
Occasionally we meet with a potential client who is seriously considering our EquineTest. He or she carefully evaluates what it will bring to them and whether it makes sense. It's an investment after all. And sometimes the whole reasoning ends with the statement: "Well, you know, my grandfather didn't need an EquineTest and what great horses he used to have!"
Harnessing Horse DNA: Unleashing Peak Performance and Lifelong Health through Equine Genetic Insights
Understanding and leveraging DNA sequencing through EquineTest provides invaluable benefits for various stakeholders in the equine industry.
DNA Sampling – Why blood for EquineTest?
There are basically two standard ways of sampling your horse – blood or hair. But it does matter what the goal of the analysis is because every method has its pros and cons!