Practical Horse Genetics just posted a new article on their website that will be of interest to all breeders, especially those who use Thoroughbreds. It's an update on Fragile Foal Syndrome, which came to prominence in the spring of 2018 and was thought to be a genetic problem just among warmblood horses. It is now clear that FFS occurs in many breeds, not just warmbloods. It is still called Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome, although many are now dropping the "Warmblood" and going with FFS.
Practical Horse Genetics is an Australian company, but the information applies to breeders around the world. Their point is that the FFS gene has been found in Thoroughbreds, and that "all evidence suggests it's been in Thoroughbreds for several hundred years." Since the Thoroughbred has been used a great deal in the development of other breeds, all breeders should be aware, and test their mares accordingly.
The article also addresses the question of why there haven't been very many reports of Thoroughbred or other foals being born with symptoms of FFS.
Click here to read the full article.
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