Equine Color Genetics

Instructor: Erika Eckstrom

Friday, February 28th, 2020
6:30pm - 8:30pm

Available via Online Webinar As Well
More Information & Webinar Registration Here
Live Webinar Access $15 per Webinar
Webinar Download $15 per Download
Webinar downloads are free for in person attendees.

Currently not scheduled as in-person seminar

Why should the average horse enthusiast know about color genetics? 

Color Genetics are a great entryway to the world of understanding genetics because the genetic results are, well, quite often very visible. And this knowledge is then easily transferable to other genetic traits that can be less obvious such as genetic diseases.

Genes, and particularly color genes in horses, are often pleiotropic, meaning that any given gene might have multiple functions in the body. For every change in coat color, that genetic change will have an action in more than one system in the body: perception, behavior, immunology, fertility, etc…

As a result, some color genetic combinations can have problematic health issues correlated to them. Lavender foal, lethal white, melanomas, blindness, and deafness are all color-related genetic problems. 

From a registration standpoint, some breed registries are either based on horses’ coat colors or have color restrictions. Registries such as The American Paint Horse Association, the Appaloosa Horse Club, and the International Buckskin Horse Association, among others, are all color breed organizations that have classifications specific to the coloration. On the other end of the spectrum, some groups like the Friesian Horse Association of North America and the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association won’t allow horses to be registered if they have certain amounts of white patches.

And from an economic perspective, some horsemen believe horses of certain coat colors are easier to market and sell than others. 

Equine Anatomy

Instructor: Jennifer VanDusen

Fridays in March at 6:30pm
March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

Seminars at Painted Bar Stables
More Information & Registration Here
$35 including Dinner

Understanding how a horse is built is the foundation of understanding how they move. Before you can better understand biomechanics of riding, you first must understand the anatomy of your mount.

Each class will include handouts and hands-on activities followed by lecture and discusion.

March 6th
Week 1: Body Parts
The Outside of the Horse

Identifying terminology, body part locations, and breed specific comformation qualities versus overarching good conformation that spans across breeds.
Hands On: Measuring Height, Weight and Body Condition Scoring

March 13
Week 2: Organs and Systems
The Inside of the Horse

Locating organs within the body and understanding their functions.
Hands On: Checking Vitals, Digital Pulse and Listening Gut Sounds

March 20
Week 3: Musculoskeletal Systems & Biomechanics
How Things Move

Idenfying bones, muscle groups and soft tissues and understanding their role in movement functions. Understanding how biomechanics play a role in facial expressions and body language.
Hands On: Identifying Gaits, Strides, Footfalls, Leads and Diagonals

March 27
Week 4: Integumentary System
Skin, Hair and Hooves

Understanding the epithelial layers and their functions and natural defense mechanisms as well as the role that grooming and care plays in the health of the horse.
Hands On: Exploring the Hoof Capsule Inside and Out with a dissection of a hoof capsule.

***Future Seminars on Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Endocrine, Lymphatic, Digestive and Neurological Systems