In 2021 we started collecting hair samples from some of our ponies to send to the genetic lab in America. The results are, of course, interesting. We tested some of our ponies to see if they were carrying the mushroom gene and are pleased to say that 50% of our stock so far have come back positive including Gue Uproar, Gue Winsome and Gue Zola who are all Mu/Mu. Although we have never had an issue with dwarfism in the stud we have also started testing for Skeletal Atavism (SA) and are pleased to say that all our boys are clear. We have now started testing the mares and foals. When all the results come back we will have to decide on a future breeding programme. We decided to test for SA to give reassurance to buyers of our ponies.
UPDATE:
We have now tested over 20 ponies for SKeletal Atavism (some of whom are no longer with us) and are pleased to report that only one mare has come back as carrying the gene N/Del1. It means all our ponies, bar one, are clear either through direct testing or through parental testing. This mare has had 3 foals - one who has tested clear, one who was N/Del1 - a lovely filly sold to a showing home, and we are still waiting on results from the other foal (another lovely filly). This filly was sold before we knew the dam was a carrier so thought it only fair to pay for the test.
We are going to continue breeding from the mare, putting her to a clear stallion of course, and hope to have a foal who will carry on her line.