The evaluation method assesses equines for the presence of five specific genetic conditions. This diagnostic process utilizes DNA analysis to determine if a horse carries genes associated with hereditary diseases. Examples of conditions screened include Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP), Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA), Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED), Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSSM1), and Malignant Hyperthermia (MH).
The significance of this testing lies in its ability to inform breeding decisions and manage the health of individual animals. Identifying carriers allows breeders to avoid pairings that could result in affected offspring, thus reducing the prevalence of these genetic disorders within specific breeds. Knowledge of a horse’s genetic status can also guide management strategies, such as dietary adjustments for animals with HYPP, potentially mitigating the impact of the condition. This testing has become increasingly prevalent as understanding of equine genetics has advanced and the cost of DNA analysis has decreased.