New DNA test for fell ponies launched (From The Westmorland Gazette)

New DNA test for fell ponies launched

11:05am Monday 8th February 2010 in

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THE launch of a new DNA test which will save fell ponies from unnecessary pain, suffering and ultimately death, has been cautiously welcomed in Cumbria.

The genetic disorder Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS) causes foals to become anaemic and prone to opportunistic infections, with certain death the only outcome.

But after ten years of research by the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and the University of Liverpool, new diagnostic DNA tests, will be able to not only identify foals which have the fatal condition but highlight adult ponies who are carriers of the genetic trait which causes the syndrome.

Affected foals can therefore be prevented by avoiding covering a carrier mare with a carrier stallion, but many fell pony breeders in the region believe caution needs to be exercised.

Thomas Capstick, who has about 40 fell ponies at his Raveonstonedale farm, said: “This test is welcomed but we have to be careful that we do not dictate to people how it is used just yet, because we cannot just stop breeding off carriers.

“If we do that we will finish up with a lesser gene pool and it would be detrimental. We have to use it wisely. There is a one in four chance that we will have a perfectly clear foal and so if that happens, and we eliminate that chance, then we have a clear bloodline to start from.”

Fellow fell pony breeder Bill Potter, a Shap sheep farmer who has 20 fell ponies, said: “It is a small enough gene pool as it is and I worry that it could do more harm than good.

“Regular breeders will already know which stallions and mares are carriers, and won’t put that pairing back together. We must not stop using carrier stallions.”

Owners and breeders who wish to find out the genetic status of their ponies can arrange for a simple pulled mane or tail hair sample to be taken by a vet and submitted to the AHT.

The test team believe that by using the test owners and breeders will eventually be able to eradicate this awful condition.

Dr June Swinburne, of AHT, said: “We have already had samples submitted by HM The Queen from her own breeding stock of Fell ponies.

“I’d urge any breeders of fell or dales ponies to submit samples in order to arm themselves with the facts they need to prevent the birth of affected foals and thereby avoid this distressing condition.”

For more information visit the AHT website http://www.aht.org.uk/genetics_fis.html or email FIStesting@aht.org.uk