Miniature Horse

Multiple congenital ocular anomalies (MCOA) is an inherited eye disorder that is associated with the silver dilution and is characterized by ocular cysts, enlargement of the cornea, abnormally formed iris/retina, and additional abnormalities.

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure used to screen embryos recovered after uterine flush to determine sex and genetic traits through DNA testing prior to implantation in the uterus.

SynchroGait is a diagnostic DNA test for a genetic variant (A) that has a major impact on the gait and coordination of horses. The discovery by researchers in Sweden showed that the mutation “facilitates lateral gaits, ambling and pace, and inhibits the transition from trot or pace to gallop”. The gait A variant has been identified as a major genetic factor for performance in trotting horses and ability to perform the additional “flying pace” in Icelandic horses. 

Skeletal atavism, an inherited bone development disorder found in Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies, is characterized by severe angle anomalies and deformation of the front knee and hock. Affected horses typically display short legs, clubfootedness, and impaired movement.

Tobiano is a white spotting pattern characterized by white on the body that crosses the topline.

Splashed white is a variable white spotting pattern characterized by a broad blaze, extended white markings on the legs, variable white spotting on the belly, and often one or both blue eyes. Eight mutations in two different genes have been shown to cause the splashed white pattern.

The silver dilution dilutes black/brown pigment to lighten the manes and tails of black and bay horses to a flaxen or silver gray. The silver dilution is also associated with an inherited ocular syndrome known as Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies (MCOA).

Sabino is a white spotting pattern that is characterized by white markings on legs often accompanied by white ticking or roaning of the midsection and a blaze on the face.

Roan is a white patterning coat color trait characterized by intermixed white and colored hairs in the body while the head, lower legs, mane, and tail remain colored.

The extension gene, or red factor, determines whether a horse will have a chestnut base coat color or a black or bay base coat color.