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Pedigree tracing to determine the origin of the golden coat phenotype within the golden American saddlebred horse.
Abstract: Due to the incorporation of the Golden American Saddlebred Horse Association (GASHA) into the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA), breeding for coat color has become more challenging for horse breeders. However, with this merger, pedigree tracing can be of value in pinpointing foundation bloodlines within the GASHA that influence production of the golden coat phenotype. Objective: The study objective was to document the historical origins of the GASHA through pedigree tracing to determine the influence of dilution alleles that produce the golden coat phenotype. Methods: A sample of 550 horses was obtained from the GASHA Official Directory. Using the All-Breed Database, sampled horses were examined for pedigrees suitable for color inheritance analysis with 507 being found to have extended pedigrees with coat color documentation that were traced to record lineage and associated coat color assignments. Results: Pedigrees traced determined 43 % carried the champagne dilution allele, 36.1 % carried the crème dilution allele, and 20 % had non-informative pedigrees that either traced back to unknown ancestors or were found to have incorrect ancestry. Another 0.9 % were determined to be obligate carriers for the crème dilution allele due to conflicting color designation. All pedigrees traced back to six foundation mares with the majority tracing back to two of these mares, Maud which carried the champagne dilution allele and Allens Queen which carried the crème dilution allele. Conclusions: Through pedigree tracing the GASHA origins were documented, unveiling genetic contributions for today's GASHA golden coat phenotype that can facilitate selective breeding practices.
Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2025-12-11 PubMed ID: 41386411DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105752Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This study traced the pedigrees of Golden American Saddlebred horses to identify the genetic origins of the golden coat color phenotype, focusing on specific dilution alleles responsible for the coloration.
Background
- The Golden American Saddlebred Horse Association (GASHA) was incorporated into the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA), making selective breeding for coat color more complex.
- Coat color phenotypes, such as the golden coat, are influenced by specific genetic alleles, including dilution alleles like champagne and crème.
- Pedigree tracing is a useful approach for identifying foundation bloodlines and understanding the inheritance of coat colors within horse populations.
Objective
- The main goal was to document the historical origins of the GASHA breed through detailed pedigree tracing.
- The study aimed to determine the influence of dilution alleles (champagne and crème) that contribute to the golden coat phenotype.
Methods
- A sample of 550 horses was selected from the GASHA Official Directory.
- Researchers used the All-Breed Database to examine the pedigrees of these horses to analyze coat color inheritance.
- Out of the 550 horses, 507 had extended pedigrees with documented coat color information that could be traced for lineage and color assignment analysis.
Results
- 43% of the traced horses carried the champagne dilution allele, which influences coat color.
- 36.1% of the horses carried the crème dilution allele, another allele affecting the golden coat color.
- 20% of pedigrees were non-informative due to unknown ancestors or incorrect ancestry records.
- An additional 0.9% were obligate carriers of the crème dilution allele as inferred from conflicting color data.
- All traced pedigrees eventually linked back to six foundation mares, with most descending from two key mares:
- Maud, who carried the champagne dilution allele.
- Allens Queen, who carried the crème dilution allele.
Conclusions
- The study successfully documented the genetic origins of the golden coat phenotype within the GASHA through pedigree tracing.
- It uncovered the significant genetic contributions of specific foundation bloodlines and dilution alleles responsible for the golden coat color.
- This knowledge supports more targeted selective breeding strategies to maintain or enhance the golden coat phenotype in the breed.
Cite This Article
APA
Pepper B, North E, Culwell J, Nicodemus MC, Cavinder C, Harvey K, Williams T.
(2025).
Pedigree tracing to determine the origin of the golden coat phenotype within the golden American saddlebred horse.
J Equine Vet Sci, 156, 105752.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105752 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, MS 39762, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 764 Lakeland Dr, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
- Department of Agricultural Education, Leadership, & Communications, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, MS 39762, USA.
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, MS 39762, USA. Electronic address: mnicodemus@ads.msstate.edu.
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, MS 39762, USA.
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9815, MS 39762, USA.
- Department of Biology & Natural Resource Management, Unity Environmental University, 70 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester, ME 04260, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Pedigree
- Phenotype
- Hair Color / genetics
- Male
- Female
- Breeding
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest none
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