Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Genetic and Genomic Services programme, providing breeders and owners with access to advanced DNA-based tools to support equine health, pedigree verification, breed development and informed breeding decisions.
As genomic technologies continue to transform livestock and equine breeding globally, HSI has invested in developing practical and accessible genomic services tailored to the needs of Irish breeders and studbooks. These services support more accurate pedigree recording, enhanced breeding programme participation, improved genetic information and responsible breeding decisions.
The services currently available through HSI include:
Parentage Discovery Testing
Parentage Discovery Testing enables owners of horses and ponies with unknown, incomplete or uncertain breeding records to identify potential parents and relatives through HSI’s extensive genomic database. The service also provides breed composition analysis, helping establish a horse’s likely ancestry and supporting eligibility for studbook entry where breeding programme rules permit.
Genomic Grade Up for Irish Draught Horses
The Genomic Grade Up programme provides Irish Draught breeders with an alternative pathway for horses with incomplete pedigrees to gain recognition within the Irish Draught breeding programme. Through genomic analysis, eligible animals can be assessed for inclusion in the supplementary section of the Irish Draught Studbook, helping to preserve and develop this important native breed.
Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) Testing
HSI is also pleased to offer testing for Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD), an inherited condition primarily associated with the Connemara Pony breed, however, is evident in several other equine breeds as carried through into various populations due to Connemara cross breeding. The test allows breeders and owners to identify whether a horse is clear, a carrier, or affected by the condition, enabling informed breeding decisions.
Fragile Foal Syndrome (FFS) Testing
Fragile Foal Syndrome (FFS) testing is now available through HSI’s genomic services. FFS is a hereditary connective tissue disorder, breeding two carriers means there is a 25% chance the foal will be ‘affected’ and not survive. Identifying carrier animals allows breeders to make responsible mating decisions and reduce the risk of producing affected offspring.
Dr Sonja Egan, Head of Breeding, Innovation & Development at Horse Sport Ireland, said:
“The transition from microsatellite to SNP genotyping has transformed the opportunities available to Irish breeders. While the primary driver was to improve the accuracy and efficiency of parentage verification, access to SNP data also allows us to develop a growing range of genomic tools and health screening services. Through our ongoing investment in genomics, and the work of our in-house geneticist Dr Jennifer Doyle, Horse Sport Ireland is continually identifying, developing and validating new tests that can be delivered through the genetic information made available through SNP genotyping. This enables breeders to access practical, evidence-based information that supports horse health, welfare and breeding decisions, while ensuring the Irish sport horse sector remains at the forefront of international innovations in equine genetics.”
For further information on HSI Genetic and Genomic Services, visit the homepage HERE.
This service is aligned with priority 2: Excellence in Breeding and High Performance Sport