Genetic Testing in the Horse.

This study reviews the progression of genetic testing in horses beginning in the 1960s, its use in breeding and clinical management decisions, and the variety of genetic tests currently available for horses.

Historical Progression of Genetic Testing in Horses

• The research explains that genetic testing in horses was first introduced in the 1960s, focusing on parentage verification using blood group markers.
• By the 1990s, the technology had progressed and the focus shifted from blood group markers to more advanced DNA testing.
• Furthermore, the paper discusses how the advancement of both human and veterinary medicine in the field of genetics and genomics throughout the last 20 years has greatly benefitted horse genetics.
• With these technological advancements, researchers have been able to unravel many causal traits of horses.

Applications of Genetic Testing Today

• Presently, the scope of genetic testing has expanded to include a variety of phenotypic and disease traits. This is a significant advancement from the original use in parentage verification.
• Genetic testing aids in providing useful information which substantially helps in making breeding and clinical management decisions. With the availability of genetic tests, breeders can assess the risk of certain diseases, make informed breeding choices to avoid passing on unfavorable traits, and manage the overall health of their horse.
• The paper closes by acknowledging that there is a wide variety of genetic tests available for horses presently. While it doesn’t detail the specifics of these tests, it emphasizes the broad applicability and importance of genetic testing in horses in today’s age.