Quarter Horse

Champagne is a coat color dilution responsible for diluting both red and black pigment as well as causing pinkish/lavender skin and amber-colored eyes.

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. 

Myosin-heavy chain myopathy (MYHM) is a muscle disease in Quarter Horses and related breeds that results in two distinct clinical disease presentations, immune-mediated myositis (IMM) and non-exertional rhabdomyolysis. Both presentations involve muscle loss or damage and are linked to the same genetic variant.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited disease in which affected horses can be triggered by halogenated anesthetics, succinylcholine, stress, or excitement, which can induce a hyper-metabolic state characterized by symptoms including muscle contracture, elevated temperature, and an irregular heart rhythm.

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is an inherited disease of the muscles primarily found in Quarter Horses which is characterized by sporadic episodes of muscle tremors or paralysis.

Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) is an inherited skin condition primarily found in Quarter Horses that is characterized by hyperextensible skin, scarring, and severe lesions along the back of affected horses.

Glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED) is a fatal genetic disorder that results from the inability to correctly store glycogen in several organs of the body.