Please respect the dedicated work of these breeders and do not reproduce the material without obtaining the original from the author.  We appreciate Victoria sharing their experience and documentation of results.  A very interesting study.  tigerhorses@aol.com

Brief Introduction followed by the abstract and study below

1)EQUINE GAIT INHERITANCE  by Victoria Varley Founder of the Tiger Horse Breed

During the development of a new breed of horse where middle gaits and Lp gene spotted coats were desired, the hypothesis that there is a gene for gait, was also tested and verified, but not mapped.The work was done by myself, and observed and verified by my husband T.Mark Varley and Dr. S.McCall our farm veterinarian for the past 15 years, with over 100 horses observed and blood typed. The on-going work was done over a period of 18 years beginning in 1992, by cross-breeding gaited horses to non-gaited horses. We are currently recording 3rd and 4th generation offspring, and have begun selecting from these where both parents gait, and/or demonstrate copies of the Lp gene. Several have inherited the desirable oriental angled eyes, and a refined Iberian profile with a slightly convex nasal bone, large well placed eyes, and triangular shaped heads. A total of 41 mares and 15 stallions (parent horses and offspring) are recorded here, consistently exhibiting verifiable evidence that there is a gene for Gait, and that Gait is gender related. The only exception involves a specific type of LP/LP (homozygous) horse, for which there is a separate study underway.)

1-AbstractOnTheGaitOfEquines2013 (2)

Gait Table Mares_Offspring

Gait Table Stallions_Offspring

See Their website for more information   http://www.tigerhorse.com

SynchroGait the new Gait Test $350.

SynchroGait

SynchroGait is a diagnostic DNA test. It is based on a research project in which we identified a gene variant that has a major impact on the gait and coordination of horses. This exciting discovery is the first of its kind and was recently published in Nature, a well-respected scientific journal. The SynchroGait test enables you to identify one of the most important genetic factors that affects the performance of a trotting horse and that is permissive for alternative gaits, such as pacing in Icelandic horses.

http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/SynchroGait.php

Full Article

SynchroGait^TM

SynchroGait is a diagnostic DNA test for a genetic variant (A) that has a major impact on the gait and coordination of horses. The discovery by researchers in Sweden showed that the mutation “facilitates lateral gaits, ambling and pace, and inhibits the transition from trot or pace to gallop”. The gait A variant has been identified as a major genetic factor for performance in trotting horses and ability to perform the additional “flying pace” in Icelandic horses.

With SynchroGait owners can identify the innate ability of young horses for gait performance which facilitates decisions regarding investment in future training. Testing of breeding stock allows breeders to predict likely genotypes of offspring and to select optimal mates to maximize production of foals with the gait mutation. In breeds used for dressage or show jumping, where pacing is not a favorable trait, SynchroGait can be used to eliminate the pacing variant.

Benefits of the variant A in gaited breeds are:

Standardbreds: AA horses are more likely to race professionally; they earn more money and have higher breeding value for racing performance than CA and CC horses.SynchroGait test is particularly applicable to horses that have French Standardbred blood lines.

Coldblooded Trotters: presence of the A variant is correlated with trotting technique.AA horses have natural talent for pace and excellent leg coordination in trot at high speed.

Icelandic Horses: AA horses have a genetic predisposition to perform five gaits (walk, tölt, trot, gallop and pace). CA and CC horses are more likely to perform only four gaits (walk, tölt, trot and gallop).

Other gaited breeds: presence of the A variant predisposes horses to perform alternative gaits. CC horses are three-gaited. Breeds that can benefit for SynchroGaittest include:

Breed list will be updated as information develops.

SUBMISSION FORM

For more information on SynchroGait, visit http://www.capiletgenetics.com/en/start.

The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory is licensed by Capilet Genetics to perform theSynchroGait test.

Reference:

Andersson LS, Larhammar M, Memic F, Wootz H et al. (2012) Mutations in DMRT3 affect locomotion in horses and spinal circuit function in mice. Nature 488(7413):642-6.

The Gaitways Program has been developed to recognize Gaited Morgan Horse Organization Club Members for the time spent enjoying your Registered Morgan Horse/s.  As you Trail Ride, Show, Drive, Train, attend Expos, parades, or clinics, you are  an ambassador for the Gaited Morgan and the Morgan Horse Breed, promoting the versatility of our great horse.  While enjoying activities with your horse you can also accumulate hours that can earn  nice  awards.

Who Can Join

1. You must be a Gaited Morgan Horse Organization Member
2. You must pay an individual lifetime fee of $25 and complete the GMHO Gaitways Application

1. GMHO Member at the time of logged hours

2. GMHO Gaitways member of $25 lifetime fee

3. Registered Morgan with number

4. Logged hours not limited to just one horse

5. Recorded hours on GMHO Gaitways log sheets only

6. No time limit for accumulating hours for awards

AWARD LEVELS

T Shirts Awarded for 100, 250, 500, 750 logged hours

Jackets Awarded for 1000, 1500, 2500, 4000 logged hours

Each T-Shirt or Jacket will be custom ordered with your name , the GMHO Logo and hours achieved

Start Logging your GMHO Gaitway Hours NOW!!

Gaitways application fWhat Hours Count

Enjoy Trail Riding, Driving, Showing, Competitive riding, Training, attending clinics and expositions.

Hours must be on a GMHO Gaitways Log Sheet

Gaitways Log Sheet

Sky Harbor Morgans

Farm Ads are from the Gaited Morgan Horse Organization Magazine which is published quarterly by our Organization.                                                                                                                                                                  Group Ads are published numerous times in Nation wide publications as well as our own Breed Publication The Morgan Horse.  We have an ad that runs in every issue of The Morgan Horse

Lancelot Morgans

Thomas Morgans

Trail blazer 2013 March through August

Sky Harbor Morgans Utah

Thomas Morgans Utah

Missouri Morgans

Trail Blazer 2012

Trailblazer Cover

Friends of Sound Horses 2012

The Morgan Horse Ad

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AMHA Board Members Sought
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TMH Finalist in 2013 AHP Awards Competition
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Sixty-three American Horse Publications members were named finalists in the 2013 AHP Annual Awards Contest for material published in and dated 2012. Participation in this year’s contest increased over last year with 104 AHP members entering a total of 758 entries. More

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In the face of overwhelming response from its membership and requests to host USEF town hall meetings in many cities around the U.S., federation staff and leadership have opted to host a town hall meeting to be broadcast live on USEFNetwork.com on Monday, June 3, at 6 p.m. EDT. This interactive broadcast will replace the previously scheduled meetings and provide greater access to more people across all breeds and disciplines nationwide. More

Gayle Lampe Summer Clinics
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Gayle Lampe is hosting three saddle seat clinics this summer at William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. She will accept a maximum of five riders per session. Everyone will get to ride eight times. The cost for the whole clinic is $500. More

Kentucky Derby Open House at Miner Institute
AMHA News Desk
Watch the Kentucky Derby, enjoy some refreshments and see the newly-renovated Miner Institute Horse Barn on Saturday, May 4 , 3-7 p.m., at the Miner Institute in Chazy, N.Y. You will be able to visit with some of the Morgans and walk through the Heart’s Delight Farm Heritage Exhibit.More

New Equine Reproduction Laboratory Open at Colorado State University’s Foothills Campus
WLS-TV
A new equine reproduction laboratory is open at Colorado State University’s campus in Lakewood, Colo. The $4.5 million building is more than twice the size of the building that was destroyed by fire in July of 2011.More

Horse Safety on the Roads
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Many people get out on the road with their horses in the spring and summer for rides with friends and family. This public service announcement has great safety tips for both the car driver and horse rider.More

Not 1 But 2 Foals — Morgan Twins Born in Michigan
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On the morning of April 14, Dawn Jacobson’s buckskin mare Sizzle In Brass was set to give birth to a Morgan foal. But what she wasn’t expecting was another foal — her mare gave birth to twins.More

Saratoga Pleasure Show and Continuous Driving Event
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The Saratoga Driving Association invites you to compete, watch or volunteer for the pleasure show and continuous driving event on Sunday, May 26, in Kinderhook, N.Y. Martin Van Buren National Historic Site (aka Lindenwald) offers a beautiful setting for dressage, timed obstacles and the pleasure driving classes in the afternoon. More

UPHA Ribbons of Service Adds Performance Scholarship
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The popular United Professional Horsemen’s Association Ribbons of Service Program that has offered $22,500 in scholarships for saddle seat equitation riders since 2009 has added a new $2,500 scholarship for junior exhibitor riders/drivers who compete in the performance division. The new award and scholarship broaden the focus of the UPHA’s successful, character-building program that emphasizes community service and charitable fundraising. More

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Whether large or small, serious or innocuous, all wounds follow a distinct and complex healing process. During the 2013 Western Veterinary Conference, held Feb. 17-21 in Las Vegas, one veterinarian reviewed how wounds heal and how owners can help facilitate healing.More

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Rita Kelley was expecting to enjoy a sunny horseback ride in Grand Haven, Mich., on the ranch where she boards Hawk, her horse. “So we are riding, and I start to see these holes in the road. I tried to be as careful as I could and decided to head back to the ranch. I finally found some high ground — or so I thought,” she said.More

Our Gaited Morgan Horse Organization Member Letha Simmons will be featured on the American Morgan Horse Association Calendar.  Letha submitted a great photo from a ride at Monument Valley, a pose on the rock on her mare Ayla.  Ayla is not gaited but Letha and husband Dan of LeDan Morgans have several gaited Morgans at their ranch in southern Arizona.

Once again singlefooters, gaited Morgans will be featured on the Rainbow Morgan Horse Association Calendar.  As a national service organization the Rainbow Morgan Horse Association is supported by numerous members of the Gaited Morgan Horse Organization.  Several owners of gaited Morgans have colorful Morgans and submitted photos for the Rainbow Morgan Horse Association Calendar.  A fun thing for Morgan Horse Lovers alike.

Sue Schaenzer submitted a photo of her silver dapple stallion KTM Shadowflax, and Missouri Morgans submitted Missouris MOJO River and Beacon Silver Miracle.

“We have ONE RMHA calendar left… Need something special for the Morgan lover in your life? Please contact Dana at dana.flaherty@gmail.com to purchase this beautiful 2013 edition! $12.00/US & $14.00/foreign, including postage”  update…sold out

Jim and I may have a couple extra if Dana does not.  contact us vali@dam.net.

Club Scrapbook