Various Genetics laboratories that routinely test for HWSD often notify the Connemara Pony Research Group of any new developments that they see as the result of their work.
Back in 2019 the linked report was sent to DAFM in Ireland. Link is here: 2019 DAFM report. In the conclusion the following statement was made:
The potential economic impact of HWSD on the greater Irish horse industry in general does not appear tohave been considered. The provenance of ponies/horses being exported on white passports willincreasingly be questioned as more HWSD carrier or affected animals are sold overseas. The equinecommunity at large and the authorities (DAFM, IHB) need to consider the effects of the HWSD mutationmoving into the wider genetic base of the Irish Sport Horse industry.
The potential economic impact of HWSD on the greater Irish horse industry in general does not appear tohave been considered. The provenance of ponies/horses being exported on white passports willincreasingly be questioned as more HWSD carrier or affected animals are sold overseas. The equinecommunity at large and the authorities (DAFM, IHB) need to consider the effects of the HWSD mutationmoving into the wider genetic base of the Irish Sport Horse industry.
"The potential economic impact of HWSD on the greater Irish Horse Industry in general does not appear to have been considered. The provenance of ponies/horses being exported on 'white passports' will increasingly be questioned as more HWSD carrier or affected animals are sold overseas. The equine community at large and the authorities (DAFM, IHB) need to consider the effects of the HWSD mutation moving into the wider genetic base of the Irish Sport Horse Industry'.
What was forecast in 2019 has come to pass. An 'Irish Cob' passported by the PIO Leisure Horse Ireland has been tested and found to be affected HWSD/HWSD. This cob was exported from Ireland to the continent; the usual pattern of hoof disintegration occurred and on advice from a equine professional, a hair sample was sent to the laboratory for testing.
It is obvious therefore that the mutation is now circulating in the wider equine population in Ireland.
As an example, one of the most prolific 'not-tested' but known to be N/HWSD stallions, (Ross Fear Bui) has been extensively used and continues to be used for sport horse/pony breeding. As other 'not-tested' and known to be N/HWSD stallions are also being used outside of the Connemara breed. This raises the concern as to how extensive the mutation in the wider population is likely to be.
It would appear that none of the concerns raised in the 2019 report were considered to be important as none of them have been addressed.
