Projects and contact persons

HORSEGENE brings together researchers and representatives of several universities and equine associations in an effort to identify genetic markers associated with disease and performance traits in horses. Listed below you will find information pertaining to the specific diseases and traits currently being studied around the world. HORSEGENE invites you to explore the types of genetic research currently being done in your area and encourages all interested parties to contact researchers for more information.

Exercise & Performance

CountryInstitutionResearcherEmailPhenotype requestBlood and/or hair samples needed from:
SwedenSLUDr. Brandon Veliebrandon.velie@slu.sePoor Racing PerformanceColdblood Trotters with a high number of starts and a low amount of earnings
SwedenSLUKim Jäderkvist Fegraeuskim.jaderkvist@slu.seGait informationFour-gaited Icelandic horses from two five-gaited parents (homozygous for the DMRT3 mutation)

Injury & Disease

CountryInstitutionResearcherEmailPhenotype requestBlood and/or hair samples needed from:
United KingdomAnimal Health TrustDr Debbie Guestdebbie.guest@aht.org.ukCatastrophic FractureThoroughbred cases and controls
SwedenSLUDr. Brandon Veliebrandon.velie@slu.sePolydactylyCases-Warmbloods, Shetland Ponies, Thoroughbreds
United StatesUC-DavisAssistant Professor Carrie Finnocjfinno@gmail.comEquine neuroaxonal dystrophy/ degenerative myeloencephalopathy (NAD/EDM)Cases - All breeds
United StatesUC-DavisAssistant Professor Carrie Finnocjfinno@gmail.comImmune-mediated myositisCases- QHs
United StatesUC-DavisAssistant Professor Carrie Finnocjfinno@gmail.comMyofibrillar MyopathyCases- Arabians and Warmbloods
United StatesUC-DavisAssistant Professor Carrie Finnocjfinno@gmail.comOccipitoatlantoaxial malformation (OAAM)Cases- Arabians
United StatesUC-DavisAssociate Adjunct Professor Rebecca Bellonerbellone@ucdavis.eduEye CancerCases-Haflingers/Belgians/Percherons
United StatesUniversity of FloridaDVM Laura Patterson Rosalpattersonr@ufl.eduAnhidrosisNon-sweating (anhidrotic) horses of any age or breed
United StatesUniversity of Nebraska - LincolnJessica Petersenjessica.petersen@unl.eduShiversCases - all breeds; Controls - geldings 17H+, over 10 years