A free webcast on equine genetic disorders is being offered in a collaborative effort between Michigan State University Extension's My Horse University and the University of Minnesota.
It will cover such topics as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), lethal white syndrome (LWS), Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) and Glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED).
The webcast will cover these and other genetic disorders, including where they originate and tests available to detect them.
The webcast will be available on October 21 at 1pm, Eastern Standard Time.
Entitled, "Applications for Equine Genetics", it will be presented by Stephanie Valberg, professor and director of the University of Minnesota Equine Centre. Participants may register online.
The presentation will also include information on genetic tests for stock horse breeds including quarter horses, appaloosas and paints, as well as strategies for incorporating genetic testing in breeding operations.
Recent advances in genetic technology, starting with the sequencing of the human genome in 2001, have led to a much greater understanding of genetics.
Scientists and doctors are recognising the role of genetics not only in visible traits but, more importantly, in invisible traits that have a great influence on health and disease.
The same techniques used to sequence the human genome are now being applied to domestic animal species, including the horse. The equine genome was completely sequenced in early 2007 and, since then, researchers have developed the genetic tools necessary to research both simple and complex genetic traits in horses.
The webcast is part of a series called, "Equine Genetics: A New Diagnostic Resource for Horse Owners", and is funded by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture's National Research Initiative.
Future programmes will focus on managing equine metabolic syndrome and shivers, and advances in equine genetics.
The webcast series is one component of a larger outreach and Extension effort to provide research-based information on horse genetics to horse owners through online and in-person programmes and printed materials.
My Horse University is a national online horse management programme for horse enthusiasts. The University of Minnesota Extension Horse Program provides research-based information to adult horse owners to improve the quality of care for the animals and their facilities.
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