HC/HERDA Research

In horses with HC, the skin separates between the deep and superficial dermis. There is no cure. A DNA test for carrier identification is not yet available, and therefore, managed breeding strategy is currently the only option for reducing the incidence of HC.
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In 2004, the newly clarified hereditary disease hyperelastosis cutis (HC), also known as hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA), received much attention. One of the leading researchers into this disease is Ann Rashmir-Raven, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, associate professor in the department of clinical sciences at the Mississippi State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. She gave an update on HC at the 50th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Denver, Colo., Dec. 4-8, 2004.

As a reminder, she outlined the specifics of the disease, which is an autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder of economic importance in Quarter Horses and horses of Quarter Horse lineage, she said. It occurs most frequently in popular cutting horse bloodlines. (She noted that in the cutting horse industry alone, 12 of the top 100 cutting sires are confirmed carriers. These 12 stallions have sired about 7,579 total registered offspring, and approximately 3,790 will be carriers.)

Affected horses have extremely fragile skin that tears easily and exhibits impaired healing. In horses with HC, the skin separates between the deep and superficial dermis. There is no cure. A DNA test for carrier identification is not yet available, and therefore, managed breeding strategy is currently the only option for reducing the incidence of HC.

Rashmir-Raven has traced the defects to Poco Bueno and his immediate ancestors. She said Poco Bueno's full brothers Captain Jess and Old Grandad also were likely carriers. Poco Bueno's sire, King, has genetic ties to 4% of known affected horses. In pedigree evaluation, having Poco Bueno or King in both the top and bottom of a pedigree within six generations has a significant correlation with the occurrence of HC

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Written by:

Kimberly S. Brown is the editor of EquiManagement/EquiManagement.com and the group publisher of the Equine Health Network at Equine Network LLC.

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