I want to share this news with you since, as most of you know, we lost both of our Peruvians to this disease last year and my gelding Alisandro contributed to the research, so I've been very involved with supporting this cause.

There are also new articles in the August Horse Journal http://www.horse-journal.com/ (by Dr. Eleanor Kellon) and Aug. Equus.  Although most of the research uses Peruvians because of the numbers, it's been found in just about every major breed, including mules, and is often misdiagnosed as arthritis or structural breakdown from conformation or injury.  This test is an important step for early diagnosis, since it can take many years before legs are affected to the degree that it would show on ultrasound.  The people I know who've had it done say their horses healed up quickly with no problems.  Dr. Gus Cothran, now at Texas A & M, also continues to work on the DNA angle.  The International Curly Horse Association is set up to accept tax deductible donations for research at http://store.curlyhorses.org/view_product.php?product=DSLJ5MMW18. 

http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=7305

 

There is also a general information page at http://www.dsldequine.info/.

Please share with your vets, farriers, and any owners/ breeders /trainers you think may be interested. 

 

Thanks,

Carol Duby