From Mystery To Management: How DNA Testing Is Changing The Way We Care For Horses
- Madison Ruddy Sanders
- 21 minutes ago
- 4 min read
For many horse owners, the hardest part of caring for a partner in trouble isn’t the expense of treatment—it’s the uncertainty. Wendee Walker, a USDF Bronze Medalist and dedicated owner, poured years of effort into finding answers for her gelding, pursuing every diagnostic test and working with respected trainers, only to be told nothing was wrong. “They just called him ‘sticky footed,’ ‘lazy,’ ‘dull,’ and ‘bored,’” she recalled. “The vets gave up on him, but I couldn’t.” It wasn’t until a friend suggested EquiSeq that Walker finally began to see the truth behind his struggles.
That frustration is familiar to countless owners and riders. Muscle disorders are notoriously difficult to diagnose and often discovered too late—leaving horses retired as “lawn ornaments,” or worse, facing euthanasia. Traditional approaches, such as muscle biopsy, are invasive, expensive, and often inconclusive. This is where EquiSeq’s DNA testing panel is changing the landscape.
Instead of undergoing an intrusive procedure, owners simply pull a few hairs from their horse’s mane or tail and send them in. Within days, results identify genetic predispositions to certain muscle diseases. The simplicity is a game-changer: no scalpel, no stress, no waiting months for an answer.
For POA breeder and owner Charlene Shingleton, the test would have saved years of disheartenment. “We called our local vet, we spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to figure it out with chiropractic work, x-rays, a body scan, even a muscle biopsy—and that came back inconclusive. I would never do another one. It was invasive and didn’t prove anything. Your $300 test would have gotten us exactly what we needed before going through all of that.”
The benefits extend far beyond individual cases. Quick turnaround makes EquiSeq especially valuable for pre-purchase exams, giving buyers crucial insight before signing a check. Breeders can design responsible programs to reduce the prevalence of muscle disorders in future generations. And with testing priced lower than traditional diagnostics, it is within reach for more horse owners than ever before.
The good news is that, in many cases, once detected, muscle conditions can be managed. One owner shared: “My mare was found to have a PSSM2 variant, and it’s been a long road of getting her comfortable. Once I got my testing results, I was able to tweak her diet, her feet got more comfortable, and now, she’s doing really well.”
Veterinarians and practitioners also see the promise. Licensed Veterinary Technician and Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Stephanie Carter explained, “I had a horse with seizure activity—three vets couldn’t figure it out, and they started suggesting putting him to sleep. He tested positive for Px and P8 variants. We changed his diet to almost deplete calcium and support calcium channel regulation, and the seizures stopped in two days. He never had another one again.”
EquiSeq’s work is backed by issued U.S. and international patents, as well as years of research by their science team. But in the pages of a horse magazine, the most powerful voices come from those who’ve seen results firsthand. “When you first dive into it, the way the horses present physically is all so similar yet so different…trying to figure it all out without the testing I think is impossible,” Carter noted.
She adds that the way forward is education: “It’s about empowering owners to make better decisions for their horses.” Shingleton agrees: “You do for the horse what you can to make their life better…you can never give up.”
As DNA testing becomes more widely available, the future looks brighter. Horse owners no longer have to accept the mystery of unexplained poor performance or chronic muscle issues. With a simple hair test, they can move from uncertainty to understanding—and give their horses the best chance at a healthier, happier life.
Learn more at www.equiseq.com or contact us at info@equiseq.com
EquiSeq
EquiSeq analyzes the genetic material of horses to improve breeding. For years horses have been bred solely on disposition, show records and pedigrees. There are plenty of horses with weak suspensory ligaments, tied up tendons and other debilitating symptoms. More often than not, these symptoms are tied to different genetic conditions. Until recently, there have only been ways to deal with the diseases as the horse gets older and they surface. There have been little to no genetics involved with breeding and buying horses until now. You will be able to send in a hair or blood sample, and we will send you information on whether that horse will end up showcasing symptoms. This information will help you decide financially whether it is worth buying or breeding that specific horse you are looking at. We are one of the first companies that blends science with breeding.
Our job is to help you:
Purchase a horse with confidence
Test and understand the genetic makeup of your current horse
Aid you in breeding better horses, EquiSeq is for horse people, by horse people.
We believe you deserve a lifetime with your best friend, and we are doing everything in our power to make that happen!
Written by Madison Ruddy Sanders
Board Member of Equiseq, Founder of Elite Equine Marketplace
Madison Ruddy Sanders is a lifelong hunter/jumper equestrian and entrepreneur with extensive experience in technology sales, business development, and marketing. With nearly a decade in the tech industry and roles at Arista Networks and cybersecurity startups, she consistently exceeded sales targets and developed strategic partnerships.
In 2024, Madison founded Elite Equine Marketplace, a digital platform for the hunter/jumper community aimed at fostering connections and transactions within a modern ecosystem. Her expertise in client relations and digital marketing, combined with her competitive equestrian experience, informs her understanding of industry needs.
Madison holds a B.A. in Media Studies from the University of Virginia and is dedicated to integrating technology and innovation into the equine world. She enjoys traveling and attending live music events in her free time.
Learn more about Elite Equine Marketplace at eliteequinemarketplace.com
This article is from the October issue of Equine Business Magazine
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