2018 Miniature Horse World Magazine SUMMER Volume 34, Number 4 | Page 34

To obtain a broader audience for this topic, we asked followers on the Facebook page, MINIATURE HORSE DISCUSSION BARN, to share their personal opinions on dwarfism and its effects on the Miniature horse breed. Melinda Selk: Dwarfism will likely always be a threat, but there are great developments in testing for some of the more common types. ACAN testing through the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center tests for the four identified and testable genes D1, D2, D3, and D4. Testing can greatly reduce chances of having a dwarf if making sure never to cross any two carriers. I personally have never had a dwarf, but I have all of my stallions tested and will eventually get all mares done as well. I feel it is our responsibility to at least reduce the chances of producing one. There are other unidentified mutations, so it is not a foolproof system yet and also the reason why I still think dwarfism is still a threat. Until all mutations are identified, there will always be some risk. Ashley Harris: Dwarfism is not a threat to my breeding program and doesn’t affect many others but for the breed as a whole, yes. There are a lot of uneducated people when it comes to dwarfism and even those that exploit dwarfism. Tina Gehlbach: I began researching dwarfism when I started with Miniatures in 1994. Its presence in the breed was mentioned to me very early on, thankfully, so every phone call I made, I asked. I also quickly learned what a hot-button issue it was! Some people were forthcoming though, and I was told about the dwarfism in Bond, Komoko, Buckeroo, etc. I also learned about not throwing the baby out with the bathwater...there were some incredible Bond horses, for instance, and Buckeroo’s accomplishments are undeniable and added much to the breed. I’m honestly not sure how I would advise someone to research now. The stigma, unfortunately, has not lessened. Many still don’t want to acknowledge or speak about it. Miniature owners need to understand a carrier alone CANNOT make a dwarf. Both parents have to be carriers. If we culled all carriers, we are culling Buckeroo, Bond and so on. These genetics are invaluable - they just need to be bred responsibly! I think testing is the responsible thing to do and breeders should be able to have results listed on their papers. But as for myself, it is a catch 22 situation. On the one hand, I’d love to see it required for breeding stock - but on the other hand, I’m a single parent barely keeping them fed and can’t afford to test currently, or mine would be tested already. And until the stigma is erased, I would have concerns about flagging carriers for the same reason. I would love to personally see it noted so that wise breeding decisions can be made, but we have to be sure people understand carrier + non-carrier will eventually eradicate it, while preserving those carrier’s positive genetics. Educating new people to the breed is www.BreederAlert.com T e O r i g in al Halter Fo aling Mo ni t o r Allsman Enterprises, LLC PO Box 1869 Rogue River, OR 97537 541-582-2101 [email protected] • Completely Re-Designed System with new Patent Pending Electronics • Our smaller than a credit card mare transmitter weighs only 1.48oz! • Every System includes built-in Telephone Auto Dialer and Pocket Pager • New Pager identifies which mare is sending alarm (up to 20) • Ask about our New Lower Pricing • In the U.S. since 1979 32 Miniature Horse World SUMMER 2018 the start. I have worked hard since I began breeding to research and avoid any lines known to carry dwarfism. Our goal should be to get rid of the stigma. Being a carrier is not bad, it simply means make wise breeding decisions. The more tools a breeder uses to improve the breed, the better. That is being responsible, loving our horses, and improving the breed. We can keep the positive characteristics of carriers while weeding out the dwarf genes, if we make researched, educated breeding choices. Amanda O Henrys Miniatures: As a breeder, I absolutely feel dwarfism in Miniatures is still a common threat. And I sincerely hope that all breeders do. I also hope that there are more breeders testing than are advertising as such. The development of the tests was an amazing step forward for the Miniature horse; now we just need to utilize them. Mary Adams: I may be one of the few who actually read John Eberth’s thesis, and I believe it IS a threat and might even be a factor in breeders adding more Shetland blood. I believe the ACAN genes, especially D1 are responsible for many mares with confirmed pregnancies that come up open. D1 plus any of the other ACAN genes results in an early fetal loss, which may not even be noticed. So just because a breeder has never produced a live dwarf, they may have carriers in the herd. I believe many breeders (like us) know that they have carriers and so are not testing their stallions.