USA - Equine researchers focus on genetics of horse diseases

Equine scientists will work on developing research tools to discover genetic factors in horses which influence inherited and common horse diseases, such as tying up, heaves, laminitis and osteochondrosis.

The research is being made possible by the Morris Animal Foundation's Equine Consortium for Genetic Research.

The first of the research tools, SNP chips, will help consortium members take the first step in reaching the long-term goals of understanding inherited diseases as well as the influence of genetics in the development of non-inherited equine diseases. This will impact the health of horses by developing new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disease. In addition, the genetic information gained will serve as a valuable tool for managing breeding programs and preventing disease.

"Equine diseases are not all necessarily directly inherited," says Dr. Patricia N. Olson, president and CEO of Morris Animal Foundation, "but understanding the role genes play in the development of diseases will greatly impact our ability to treat horses."

Phase one of this project is possible in part through donations from the AAEP Foundation, including The Aringo Memorial Fund, the ASPCA, the Keeneland Foundation and individual donors.

The Equine Consortium for Genetic Research is a five-year, $2.5 million project to rapidly advance equine health. Led by University of Minnesota professors Jim Mickelson and Stephanie Valberg, the consortium includes 32 scientists from 18 elite academic institutions throughout nine countries. The recent sequencing of the equine genome will help these scientists make major health breakthroughs for horses.

"An explosion of knowledge about human disease occurred after the human genome was sequenced in 2001. These rapid advances can now be paralleled in the horse with the sequencing of the equine genome in 2007 and the support of the Morris Animal Foundation Equine Consortium," Valberg says. "We are really excited to soon have the tools that will take the equine research community to the forefront of scientific discovery."