Run Redheart, Run……….

It’s certainly been fantastic weather, enabling Princesse Pascale and Ben, her new-born to be turned out in the round pen for 20 / 30 minutes. Our round pen is safe, secure and flat.   Situated away from any other horses, ideal for their first experience out in the fresh air. 

 Ben is a vigorous colt. Our previous foals were kept in for a few days from birth but Ben seems to be at the other end of the scale. PP is an experienced broodmare and her character is very placid, no chance of her giving Ben the run around or getting herself stressed, she really enjoyed having a roll and relaxing.

 

They are not left unattended, enabling me to capture some photos.

          

                                       

                  

 

 

 

Running Redheart Royale……..

Finally a foal and it’s a BOY!

Well it was no surprise for Princesse Pascale to be late delivering this foal, mares generally follow their own pattern of gestation and this delay was anticipated.

Princesse Pascale’s ligaments of her hindquarters around the tail head had softened increasingly over the last week, her udder had bagged up but no wax to speak of. We have been monitoring her every hour during the night as she has shown many signs of discomfort recently.

At 6.30am this morning PP was showing signs of restlessness, by 7 she had started foaling. We initially watched her on the CCTV camera, giving her minimal disturbance.

It wasn’t long before it became apparent PP was having difficulties foaling. A call for the vet was required and before 8 the new arrival was safe on the ground with a little help.

 

Can you believe this is our third foal born on the 21st April in consecutive years.

 

 

 

 

He is a big boy with very long legs. His arrival into the world was to say the least not what I expected or wanted but o boy he is “all there”. He really is “full on” for a new-born, cross nursing within 2 hours and running around in the round pen by 5.30pm. Full of life, very inquisitive and friendly.

 

 

PP is in very good health, loads of milk and being a fantastic mother again.

 

We’re relieved to see the safe delivery of 2015 Princesse Pascale

Stable name BEN

 

 

Pending registered name REDHEART ROYALE

 

Happy Birthday on the 21st………

Redheart Pascalius & Redheart Cateaster were both born on the 21st April but a year apart.

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It is not always easy to predict a grown Appaloosa’s colour at birth, Evee was born black. Slight stripes on her hooves was the only Appaloosa characteristics present at 6 months. We now know she is heterozygous (LP/lp) for the Leopard Print Gene and doesn’t carry the PATN1 (N/N) gene. At the moment I see her growing through the “gormless stage” where her body and head don’t look in proportion. There has never been any doubt she would colour out but here are a few pictures of her “change” to date.

  

Easter on the other hand had Appaloosa Characteristics at birth, she is homozygous (LP/LP) for the Leopard Print Gene and carries one copy of the PATN1 (PATN1/N) gene. At present she is shedding her foal / winter coat, it is evident there are a few dark  pigmented areas of skin on her hind legs and she is colouring out on her face. Patterns can change throughout an Appaloosa’s life but I think Easters is quite stable. Here are a few pictures of her “change” to date.

 

  These two youngsters are very affectionate towards each other.

   

and constantly play …….

Happy Birthday on the 21st April 2015

Past and present…..

Breaking news……..

Last month it was announced the Veterinary Genetics Lab at UC Davis began offering the DNA test for PATN1.

“Since the discovery of LP, the main gene that controls appaloosa spotting patterns and associated traits, breeders have been anticipating DNA tests for the genes that work with LP to produce white appaloosa patterning.

We are happy to announce that the white pattern modifier gene with the largest pattern causing effect, termed Pattern-1 for “first pattern gene” or PATN1 for short, can now be DNA tested for.

A mutation in PATN1 was identified that is associated with increased amount of white in LP horses. This mutation (in combination with LP) behaves in a dominant fashion which means you only need one copy of the PATN1 mutation to observe large amounts of white as long as LP is present.”

 

Here is the link to their horse test page: The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL)

 

I am sure, I am not the only excited owner / breeder that has anxiously been awaiting their horse’s results. The Appaloosa Project team continues to teach us via their Electronic Classroom keeping us up to date when new information is discovered. The future in genetics continues to help improve the Appaloosa breed by allowing us breeders to act on their knowledge when offered to us. I am sure other test will be available soon but for the present moment here are the results to date and the past photos of the Redheart Appaloosas.

 

Peyres Catori Cat

Leopard Complex            LP/lp

Heterozygous, carries one copy of the Appaloosa LP gene. Is a carrier of CSNB

Grey gene                           gg

Negative for the Grey gene

PSSM1                                  n/n

Negative for the PSSM Type 1 gene mutation

Red factor                           E/e

Both black & red factors detected. Either E or e transmitted to offspring. Basic colour is black, bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

Agouti                                   A/a

Black pigment distributed in point’s pattern. Basic colour is bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

PATTERN-1                         N/PATN1

1 copy of PATN1, 50% of offspring will inherit the modifier mutation. In order for high levels of white spotting to be visible the foal must inherit the LP gene.

 Peyres Catori Cat     

Peyres Catori Cat (Past & Present)

Peyres Catori Cat

 

Princesse Pascale

Leopard Complex            LP/lp      

Heterozygous, carries one copy of the Appaloosa LP gene. Is a carrier of CSNB

Gray gene                           gg        

Negative for the Grey gene

PSSM1                                  n/n

Negative for the PSSM Type 1 gene mutation

Red factor                           E/E          

No red factor detected. Cannot have red foals regardless of the colour of stallion. Basic colour is black, bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

Agouti                                   A/a     

Black pigment distributed in point’s pattern. Basic colour is bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

PATTERN-1                         N/PATN1   

1 copy of PATN1, 50% of offspring will inherit the modifier mutation. In order for high levels of white spotting to be visible the foal must inherit the LP gene.

Princesse Pascale (Past & Present)

 

 

Hevans EV Catorrius

Leopard Complex            lp/lp            

Negative for the Appaloosa LP gene, has no appaloosa characteristics.

Gray gene                           gg        

Negative for the Grey gene

PSSM1                                  n/n    

Negative for the PSSM Type 1 gene mutation

Red factor                           E/e         

Both black & red factors detected. Either E or e transmitted to offspring. Basic colour is black, bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

Agouti                                   A/a           

Black pigment distributed in point’s pattern. Basic colour is bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

PATTERN-1                         N/PATN1        

1 copy of PATN1, 50% of offspring will inherit the modifier mutation. In order for high levels of white spotting to be visable the foal must inherit the LP gene.

In terms of breeding it is very beneficial here at Redheart Appaloosas to have Hevans EV Catorrius results. He is N/PATN1. There is no way to tell by looking at him if the gene was present or not. Bred from two heterozygous (LP/lp) horses it was hopeful but not factual. As a future stallion it is now evident he is quite valuable in terms of breeding and doesn’t deserve to be over looked because he doesn’t have spots! A stallion with the genotype PATN1/patn1 would most definitely produce foals with a higher level of white appaloosa patterning in comparison to the foals produced by a stallion without PATN1.

 

Hevans EV Catorrius (Past & Present)

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Redheart Pascalius

Leopard Complex            LP/lp                     

Heterozygous, carries one copy of the Appaloosa LP gene .Is a carrier of CSNB

Gray gene                           gg 

Negative for the Grey gene

 PSSM1                                  n/n   

Negative for the PSSM Type 1 gene mutation

Red factor                           E/E  

No red factor detected. Cannot have red foals regardless of the colour of the stallion. Basic colour is black, bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

Agouti                                   a/a        

Only recessive allele detected. Black pigment distributed uniformly. Basic colour is black in the absence of other modifying genes.

PATTERN-1                         N/N    

No copies of PATN1

This filly was a deep black velvet colour when born without a coat pattern except one white spot on her back. She has all the characteristics and it is no surprise he result id N/N for PATN1 even though LP is present. She is two years old now and has roaned out beautifully.

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Redheart Pascalius (Past & Present)

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Redheart Cateaster

Leopard Complex            LP/LP

Homozygous, carries two copies of the Appaloosa LP gene and is affected by CSNB

Grey gene                           gg                          

Negative for the Grey gene

PSSM1                                  n/n 

Negative for the PSSM Type 1 gene mutation

Red factor                           E/e   

Both black & red factors detected. Either E or e transmitted to offspring. Basic colour is black, bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

Agouti                                   A/a          

Black pigment distributed in point’s pattern. Basic colour is bay or brown in the absence of other modifying genes.

PATTERN-1                         N/PATN1       

1 copy of PATN1, 50% of offspring will inherit the modifier mutation. In order for high levels of white spotting to be visible the foal must inherit the LP gene.

This filly has not changed much in coat pattern but her colour has lightened. We should see some spots appear after her winter / foal coat has shed, the skin pigment is certainly spotted on her hind legs.

Redheart Cateaster (Past & Present)

Testing for both LP and PATN1 is recommended for breeders interested in producing Leopard Complex-spotted horses.

The past has been guess work and the present has given us factual evidence enabling us to cross

Appaloosa x Appaloosa for the desired traits we seek.