last updated 21/09/11ACPR is supporting this research, and we would be very grateful if any individual
owners/breeders would consider it as well.
Very important research - please read!
Donations can be made directly or to avoid currency exchange costs
for donors, if donations are sent to ACPR in AUD, ACPR will cover the
conversion costs.There is now a blog:
http://connemara-pony.blogspot.com/2011/11/exciting-exciting-news-snp-arrays-to.html HWSS Research Update and Funding Request
Hi all
Much has happened since we last updated you on the
progress of the research group on Hoof Wall Separation Syndrome
(formerly " soft foot"). Since forming the research group in January
of this year, the group has been busy gathering information from other
breeders/owners worldwide with ponies having this syndrome. Sheila [Ramsay] has
started a data base of affected ponies/pedigrees and more recently has
taken on the HWSS project as her university research
project/proposal. Sheila's research digging has created a lot of
interest by a lot of sources/people that also support our belief in this
syndrome being genetic.
We have been discussing our case with UC Davis since
February, and compiling a list of DNA donors available. Just recently
there has been a case of the hoof issue in California within driving
distance of UC Davis. The owner of the young pony took her into UC
Davis for the entire Team there to view her . The Team of Veterinarians
along with Dr. Carrie Finno (veterinarian and specialist
geneticist) were shocked by what they saw. The recent report from Dr
Finno said, " the hoof pathology was profound". Her report also
confirmed that the university is extremely excited about our project.
Dr. Greg Ferraro who also heads the Center for Equine Health was one
of the Team in attendance to view the affected Connemara pony and he is
presenting our case to some possible donors in an effort to elicit
funding to proceed with the research. The
research at UC Davis will be to look for the mutation causing the
problem and to find a MARKER for it which can be used to screen our
ponies. Dr Finno is one of the researchers responsible for isolating
the HERDA gene complex and getting the test into the commercial arena
So, although it looks very positive as to the amount of
support and interest we have at this time, we are now at the stage in
this project that we need funding... UC Davis is willing to help us by
matching funds that we can come up with, but we need to show some
commitment / belief in this as well. WE NEED SOME DONATIONS! Our
plan is to soon have some information available on line to the public
regarding this condition and we will be sending a request to all the
societies very soon. In the meantime, I wanted to let all of you know
the status and hoped that any / all of you would support us by sending a
donation (with a letter accompanying their check stating that the
donation should be directed to Connemara DNA research) to:
Center for Equine Health,
One Shields Ave,
Davis, Ca 95616
For countries with different currencies, a money order in US$ would probably be best :)
UC DAVIS Genetic Team, Robert Eustace (Laminitis Trust),
Professor Geyer (Zurich University and world authority on horse
hooves) all believe that our breed does have a serious PROBLEM and that
it IS genetic. The funding is for the costs in finding the genetic
marker so we can screen our ponies to save this breed for future
generations.
We have a great opportunity right now to do our breed proud. Please consider helping this great cause!
Thanking you for your support,
Jocelyn Davies
Devon Ridge Farms
http://www.devonridgefarm.com
2011 AGM - please contact us for details or to add agenda items
New Phone number: 03 6349 1270
- DON'T FORGET OUR ADVERTISING SECTION!!
- open to both Australian and International advertisers
***NEW - we are going to run our Stallions at Stud section all year round, not just in the Southern Hemisphere Stud Season. This should be of particular interest to people whose stallions are available internationally via AI.
We are now accepting membership and registration fees etc. by PayPal - this means that International members can simply pay their fees on-line. Australian based members may pay by cheque, cash or PayPal.
We are now accepting registration applications for ponies whose breeding is (or can be) proven, regardless of where they or their owners are based.
AUSTRALASIAN CONNEMARA PONY REGISTRY (INC)
The ACPR (Inc) is a new registry/studbook for the PRESERVATION and PROMOTION of the Connemara Pony and its crosses. We offer:
- streamlined registration for ponies already reg. in other recognised studbooks
- registration for all Connemaras of provable parentage
- the maintenance of a DNA database
- adherence to EU studbook regulations
- pedigree and other information and advice
- a comprehensive promotional, educational and social programme
- a warm welcome for all new (and old!) members
These webpages will be updated whenever possible - but because of the dynamic nature of our subject, we are destined always to be a "a work in progress". Suggestions for improvement welcome.
The Australasian Connemara Pony Registry (ACPR) Inc. was formed on January 26th (Australia Day!) 2008 and is a new breed registry designed to ensure the preservation of the gene pool of the Connemara Pony in Australasia (and elsewhere). It is fully incorporated in the State of Victoria.
We hope to work in co-operation with the Australian Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society, the New Zealand Connemara Pony Society, the ICCPS and the Australian Pony Stud Book Society, as well as with overseas stud books and registries, and will work towards reciprocal registration.
We differ from the CPBSA in that entry into our Stud Book, following EU law, is open to any pony who meets the genetic criteria and whose owner is a member of the ACPR, and from the APSBS in that our focus is purely on the Connemara and its crosses.
As stated on our
Aims and Objectives page, our aim is to promote the Connemara Pony and protect existing bloodlines. To ensure that we can restore as many “lost”, “lapsed” or simply “never registered” ponies as we can, we do not charge late fees, and we are trying to keep all our fees to a minimum. We do require parentage verification, and will currently accept any pony recognised in any other recognised studbook, or any pony whose parentage can be proven through DNA.
Minutes of inaugural meeting held on July 6th, 2008, are available, on request, to members.
Note on veterinary inspections: it is recommended that all stallions are vet inspected before they are used for breeding. Once an internationally accepted form of veterinary examination has been approved, we will comply with this. We also support genetic testing for certain traits and are hopeful that research in this area will continue to benefit all stock breeders.
Note on DNA: if you wish to collect your own samples, please be aware of how easily contamination can occur.
Note on recognition in other Studbooks: pedigree anomalies have been found, and will no doubt continue to be found. We reserve the right to request DNA conformation, and / or adjust the registration accordingly.