Page 165 - June 2017

Don’t Be Myth-Taken
With any new rule, myths sometimes float around. They make a good thing terribly con- fusing. Here are some myths that you’ll want to watch out for:
Myth #1: “I heard this rule doesn’t help Tobiano-bred Paints—is that true?”
No. In fact, this rule can definitely benefit Tobianos in two major ways. The Tobiano gene
is dominant, which means it is almost always expressed on the horse’s coat in some way. In the past, even though a gene might express itself, it didn’t necessarily guarantee that the horse would qualify for Regular Registry due to the man-made imaginary lines that denote “typical” presentation of Paint color. For example, a horse with the Tobiano gene might have a high leg white that didn’t quite go above the threshold for APHA’s Regular Registry and would have been previously registered as a solid Paint-bred. Under the new rule, this horse could be placed in the Regular Registry if he has two Paint parents, exhibits a Paint trait, and proves the pres- ence of the Tobiano gene through genetic testing.
Another group that was often affected are those horses that are completely or almost com- pletely white. In the past, if these horses didn’t have an area of contrasting color somewhere on their body that was two-inches or greater, they were registered as white solid Paint-breds. We know now, though, that these horses often carry multiple Paint patterns that cause their excessive white spotting. As long as they meet the three cri- teria, they can advance now to Regular Registry.
Myth #2: “Some genes can’t be tested for yet.”
In fact, most of the Paint pattern genes are testable. The most common Paint pattern genes were picked for the genetic testing panel, but there are others that are testable but not present on the standard panel. If your horse is con- firmed to carry a non-panel white pattern—one of the other known Dominant White genes, for instance—the horse’s test results could be ap- pealed for consideration under this rule.
Myth #3: “This rule means solids and Regular Registry horses show together.”
No. Horses that are deemed eligible and qualify to advance into the Regular Regis-
try because they exhibit a Paint trait, carry a white-spotting gene, and meet the parentage requirements, are no longer considered solids. These horses carry a white-spotting gene and, therefore, have the same genetic capability to throw color as a loudly marked Paint. Keep-
ing this in mind: there is actually no change
to the showing requirements regarding solid Paint-breds and Regular Registry horses at most APHA events. At the 2017 APHA World Show, the Executive Committee has approved allowing solid Paints that carry a Paint pattern gene (con- firmed through genetic testing) to show in most Challenge and Sweepstakes classes, with some exceptions. Find out more at apha.com/oawcs.
One of the criteria for advancement under RG-070.E. is having a Paint trait, like a blue eye, bald face, or white on the lower lip. Nine traits are outlined in the APHA Rule Book.
Perks of the Change
Great—my horse can now compete as a Regular Registry Paint, but what am I really getting out of it?
A number of benefits come from this rule change for horses and their owners, such as: • Increased perceived value
• Greater competition opportunities
• APHA stakes race eligibility requirements
for future foals
• More accuracy in color-producing potential • Promotes APHA to APHA breeding
• Reduces risk in breeding Paints
• Objective tool for “close calls”
When a horse moves into the Regular Registry, their perceived value automatically increases to the general public. They could be more highly sought after for breeding since they genetically could pass on color. They might also have the opportunity to earn more points and payouts in competition as a Regular Registry Paint due to more competitors and classes.
Using their horse’s genetic information, Paint Horse owners and breeders can now get a better
The Tobiano gene is dominant, so it’s almost always expressed if it is inherited by the foal. Sometimes, however, that expression doesn’t align with APHA guidelines for the Regular Registry, like the foal shown on the right. Under this rule, if he has two APHA parents and genetic testing confirms he carries the Tobiano gene, he can be classified as a Tobiano just the foal shown on the left.
idea of the horse’s color-producing potential, thus making better breeding decisions for their operation. By knowing the genetic makeup of the two Paints involved, breeders will have a more accurate estimate of what color-producing genes those two horses will throw. This doesn’t mean that the foal will express that color, howev- er, since expression is different than inheritance.
Knowing the exact combination of Paint pat- tern genes present in your horse also reduces the risk in breeding Paints, particularly in cases where Lethal White Overo Syndrome is a possibility.
By taking “guesstimating” out of the breeding process, owners and breeders can make more conscious breeding decisions that will actually promote Paint-to-Paint breeding. And because of that requirement, Paint stallions might become even more sought-after in the breeding shed.
Finally, the use of genetic testing makes the registration process more objective, allowing more horses to be properly classified. For those horses that are too close to call and meet the three criteria, this process works to their benefit and ensures that they can register as a Paint Horse.
Resources & Advice
In the event that there is a question you would like to ask about this new rule, you are always wel- come to contact APHA at askapha@apha.com or visit the following resources for more information. • APHA Rule Book
http://apha.com/forms/rule-books/
• APHA.com Forms pages
http://apha.com/forms/registration-forms/
• APHA.com “Register Your Paint” page
http://apha.com/association/education/
register-your-paint/
• APHA.com “Genetic Equation” page
http://apha.com/association/geneticeq
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is
that if you think your horse will qualify for the Regular Registry, get your horse tested and send in the appropriate information for processing and review. It never hurts to try!
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