Lavender Foal Syndrome - An Arabian Horse Breeders Nightmare

First off I have to say I'm sorry that I've not kept my posts current these last few days . I have been ill and things have been hectic here. I had planned on catching you all up on all the chaos here but instead feel compelled to post on the tragedy of one of my online breeder friends.

This morning I awoke wondering if one of the Arabian mares I have been watching for a while now had foaled. She looked really promising last night but my illness won out and kept me from hanging in there to watch. Feeling a bit like a traitor I finally hit the sheets about midnight reluctant to miss out on the birth of this special foal.But Shina was the first thing on my mind as the cobwebs cleared. (And I don't mean the cobwebs on the cam for you marestarers who are now laughing at me!)

I went to the computer to check her thread to find the title had not been changed. I assumed the mare had not foaled but a quick browse to catch up turned up that was not true. The mare had recently foaled. Even as I was trying to get current, newer and newer posts suggested there might be a problem with the foal.

That sent me straight for the webcam I had monitored last night where I found an empty stall. Knowing this mare, I brought up the second farms outside webcam and sure enough Snina was outside.Her owner had given up on trying to get her to foal in the barn after her long night vigil At the mare's feet was a Lavender Foal. I knew instantly and my heart broke.

I have been researching Lavender Foal Syndrome ever since I started this blog which is right about the same time I discovered the existence of this unusual genetic disorder. I've always been fascinated by genetics, they are just so complex and compelling. They are the key to our very existence. Guess since I can get a little deep it's no surprise I'd get caught up in the intrigue that genetics has to offer.

I came across Lavender Foal Syndrome accidentaly. Someone sent me a link to a thread on Arabian twins that turned out to be not so direct a link. I followed it backwards trying to find access to the twin foal information and in the process came across a thread on Lavender Foal Syndrome.

Certainly just the title was enough to get me hooked. What in the heck is a Lavender Foal? Well, it is just that! A lavender foal is one with a dilute colored hair coat that has been described as lavender, very pale chesnut, a very pale pink or may have a silvery sheen to its coat.

Unfortunately the odd color is not the only trait of the lavender foal. This rare genetic disorder causes a foal to be born with extreme nuerological problems and is always fatal. Foals can be born unable to attain sternal recumbency (which means sit upright on the sternum) or stand. Legs can be rigid, neck arched back with head up continuing the line of arch in the neck. Foals may also have rolling eyes, twitching or running legs, and seizures. These are the only symptoms the experts are sure of to date. As more data become available, more symptoms may be added to the list as particular to this disorder.

Part of the problem diagnosing this disorder has been its rarity and the fact its discovery has been relatively new. Many veterinarians are not familiar with the disorder and can apply a misdiagnosis because the neurological symptoms mirror other neurologically based disorders. Because of this misdiagnosis the cases go unreported and valuable date is lost. The thing that sets these foals apart is their unique coloring (and of course, their breeding). Any Arabian foal having extreme neurological difficulties and the unique coloring should be suspected of Lavender Foal.

What is known to date is the disorder is restricted to the Arabian horse.An recent article in the Arabian Horse magazine published by the IAHA stated that the syndrome occurs in Straight Egyptian (SE) or Straight Egyptian related horses. However, there has been some emotional discussion about whether or not that is true. I can say to date, the only documented cases are in SE or SE related horses.

The complete specifics (such as genetic deficits or other causes) and the exact extent of the disorder are as illusive as the disorder itself. Because it is so rare, there are few cases to study to garner data needed to establish reliable information. Anyone having or who knows someone who has had a lavender foal is requested to contact researchers to help find and isolate this killer of Arabian Foals.


For more information on Lavender Foal Syndrome



Visit Blog Villiage and vote for this blog Here


Arabian horse arabian horses horses horse lavender foal syndrome