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DWARFISM & HYDROCEPHALUS |
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Dwarf-Hydro & dISTICHIASIS Testing Form (PDF)
Only hydrocephalus and dwarfism tests generated by FHH or FHANA will be accepted by FHH. This is so that we can verify that the hair tested matches the parentage DNA we have on file.
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Late in December 2017, DNA testing for dwarfism and hydrocephalus became available to FHH, to test horses with Friesian lineage. FHH is encouraging testing and making an effort to educate purebred Friesian and part-bred Friesian horse owners on the dangers of breeding two carriers together. The purpose of the testing is to help avoid the heartbreak and financial loss of producing a dwarf or hydrocephalic foal. Codes on FHH papers: Starting in 2018, carrier status codes will be added to all FHH pedigrees. For horses being registered FHH, a note advising testing will be added to the registration document, when the carrier status of the horse(s) with Friesian lineage is not known, or when there is risk, due to a known or suspected carrier in the pedigree. Codes printed on FHH pedigrees are based on current information that was believed to be accurate at the time of printing, but may be subject to change, as information is updated daily.
Because of inbreeding, dwarfism and hydrocephalus, are prevalent in the Friesian breed and can affect both purebreds and crossbreds. At this time, the KFPS allows horses to be carriers. Eliminating carriers from breeding would make the available gene pool even smaller, possibly creating further inbreeding issues. The carrier status of KFPS Approved stallions, from 2014 on, is published by the KFPS. However, it is important to be aware that the status of KFPS stallions approved before 2014, non-approved stallions and mares is frequently unknown. Therefore, it is important to test, to prevent tragedy. Dwarfism and hydrocephalus are two separate genetic issues! You could (in theory, but not recommended) breed a hydro carrier to a dwarf carrier, with no risk of the abnormalities actually occurring. Although rare in other breeds, hydrocephalus has been reported in Standardbreds, Orlov Trotters, American Miniatures, Hanoverians and Thoroughbreds. Thoroughbreds and American Minitures are also known to occasionally carry dwarfism. However, the testing that FHH is offering is specific to the Friesian breed. It was developed with the use of Friesian DNA. During the resurrection of the Friesian breed, dwarf mares were sometimes used for breeding. This practice was occurring as late as the 1990's. Since genetic testing was not yet invented, and most of the foals were healthy and appeared perfectly normal, breeders of these foals probably did not know that the mare they were breeding was passing on dwarfism to 100% of her foals! Even with the breeding practice of using dwarf mares, and in-breeding, hydrocephalus seems more prevalent than dwarfism. As occurrences increased with the breeding of related horses, a hypothesis was probably formed that in-breeding was not a good idea. This probably lead of the creation of the in-breeding co-efficients. While certainly helpful, in-breeding co-efficients are not good predictors of health issues.
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Call us Toll Free 1-877-653-1341
10:00 AM to 10:00 PM M-F Occasionally answering & returning calls on Sat-Sun
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Testing
Now Available 
