- Written by: Sharalee Worms
Two things are new - one - you can now order your reports through the top menu bar on the site under pedigree analysis or the side link labelelled Reports.
The second thing is the new Genetic Issue EJSCA - this one is now testable through UC Davis. IT is a recessive issue similar to GBED so if you are breeding you need to know whether this will be an issue for you, as just like with GBED if you breed two carriers togther you have a chance of haivng a foal that will not survive. EJSCA is particularly heartbreakingas the foal is born looking and behaving completely normal but by two weeks of age it will start having issues with control in it's hind end and will eventually have to be put down - there is no cure. We will check for EJSCA in the apporopriate reports. Also if you have lost foals in the past that might have had this issue and you know the sire and dam of the foal please consider forwarding us the info for research purposes. This issue only affexts Quarter Horses and those bred to Quarter Horses.
- Written by: Sharalee Worms
GBED stands for Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency - it is a recessive disease 
Genetic Testing is Available
GBED manifests with stillbirths and spontaneous abortions, and cardiac or respiratory failure, seizures, muscle weakness, and sudden death or euthanasia in foals under 18 weeks old. Most GBED foals die before they are born and if they are born alive they rarely last past 8 weeks. There is no treatment.
GBED is a required test for Quarter horse stallions (part of a required 5 panel of tests). GBED is traced back to Zantanon and particularly his son King.
- Written by: Sharalee Worms
RER
RER (PX*) is Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis - it is a dominant disease Genetic Testing is Available
RER shows up during or after exercise - horses are reluctant to move, experience pain, stiffness, and tremors, and sweat profusely. Severe episodes cause muscle damage, sometimes an inability to stand, and death can occur. Coffee colored urine indicates a severe episode. RER horses usually have a very excitable temperament and do not handle stress well.
A specific diet (including added protein and the elimination of suger) and exercise routine can help manage symptoms.
RER episodes will trigger high levels of serum CK and AST (values over 10,000, where the baseline value is under 500) and coffee-colored urine,
*Equiseq has developed a genetic test to help diagnose RER in horses.
- Written by: Sharalee Worms
DSLD is also known as ESPA
It is thought that DSLD is an inherited defect although some DSLD is environmental. No genetic test has been developed for DSLD to date.
DSLD/ESPA is a disease that affects the connective tissue (tendons & ligaments) and symptoms usually appear outwardly in the suspensory ligaments or tendons of lower legs, especially the fetlock area. DSLD horses pasterns are usually parallel to the ground. Also post legged is another common symptom of DSLD. Other subtle signs maybe be seen before the legs are affected outwardly.
FLEX TEST & ULTRASOUND are used to confirm DSLD Diagnosis.Flex test of fetlock joints, ultrasound of suspensories. Dsld horses will fail the flex test in two or more legs. Palpation of suspensories will find them to be very hard & taut, maybe lumpy from calcification or could be mushy. Pain response is also noted.IRON BLOOD TESTING - Many DSLD horses have high iron levels and low magnesium levels.
DSLD is a progressive condition and there is not much in the way of effective treatment.
- Written by: Sharalee Worms
P2 is a PSSM2 variant - it is a dominant disease Genetic Testing is Available
The symptoms for a P2 horse are similar to PSSM1 horses. Symptoms include weird things like, being "cinchy, rock hard tense muscles, mysterious lameness, hard to get on a certain lead, bucking when they lope, bunny hopping, many other strange symptoms including muscle divoting, exercise intolerance and changes in temperament . With a change of feed and exercise many horses show dramatic improvement and go on to live very useful lives while some do actually have to be put down from this disease. P2 on its own can cause severe symptoms.
What breeds does it Affect?
To date it has been found in Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas, POAs, Arabians, Paso Finos, Hanoverians, Oldenburgs, Holsteiners and Thoroughbreds
Is the source horse known?
- Not at this time. More info is coming in all the time - we will update here when we have more answers.
How and Where can I test for it?
PSSM2 variant P2 is only testable through the Equseq research lab a this time.
Is there treatment for it?
For more comprehensive helpclick the link at the right - Getting Help for Your Horse.
BRIDGE is trying to shed light on these bloodlines by asking anyone with a tested P2 positive horse to send their info to BRIDGE (email: foals@manitobahorse.com) or contact us through facebook so we can add the bloodlines to our database to help show a clear picture of which horses have the bloodlines which are carrying this. If you prefer to have your info kept private you can still send it to us and we will keep it in our Private Database and use it for research otherwise it will go into the online database available to registered members.