Industry Perceptions of HERDA in Performance Horses.

The research article investigates the common views and understanding of the genetic disease, HERDA, in performance horses, particularly Quarter Horses, and how it impacts breeding practices and the perceived value of the animals.

Understanding HERDA

• HERDA (Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia) is a genetic disorder that affects the structure of collagen in horses. It has been identified, specifically, in Quarter Horses.
• The disease leads to hyperextensive skin prone to injury, and abnormalities in tissues with high collagen concentrations. However, there is currently no research on how it affects heterozygote carriers of the disease.

Impact of Breeding Practices

• The study suggests that current breeding practices may be leading to the spread of the disease, with 30% of the cutting sires being HERDA carriers. This means, there could be an increasing number of heterozygous individuals when breeding.
• In terms of numbers, 3.5% of Quarter Horses and 28.3% of the cow horse population have been found to carry the heterozygote gene for HERDA.

Perception and Attitudes towards HERDA

• The researchers sought to understand the broader perceptions of the disease amongst horse owners, as well as their awareness levels, using an online survey conducted via social media and extension specialists.
• In total, 228 responses were collected, with the majority of participants involved in reining and cutting.
• A notable finding was that 78.5% of participants believed that a horse’s HERDA status affected the animal’s breeding value. Similarly, a significant proportion of respondents (95.2%) believed that the HERDA status of all breeding horses should be available information.
• The study also found variability in the perceived impact of HERDA on horse performance. For instance, 62.5% of owners who had horses carrying the HERDA gene did not observe any difference in performance or injury rate compared to non-carriers.

Implication for Breeding Practices

• Throughout the findings, it is apparent that horse owners are attempting to make informed breeding decisions based on a horse’s HERDA status. They aim to pair carriers with non-carriers to control the disease, but there lacks clarity on whether this method is effective in controlling the disease.
• The study therefore underscores the need for further education on the effects of breeding practices and how it influences the genetic pool, particularly considering diseases like HERDA.