Knabstrupper Society GB UK Grading Information

Welcome to the website of the

Knabstrupper Society GB

UK Daughter Organisation of the KNN - the Mother Stud Book for the Knabstrupper Breed

DNA Profiling and Verification of Parentage

Knabstrupper Society GB is now able to provide DNA testing within the UK through the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket.

Please follow this link to the application form for DNA verification. On completion of the form, a DNA hair sampling kit will be sent out to you. Hair samples need to be taken by a vet (this only takes a few minutes and can easily be incorporated into another routine visit such as vaccination, or in the case of a foal, passport silhouette completion. Once the sample has been taken it can then be submitted for analysis.

It is mandatory that a stallion is DNA tested and its parentage has been verified for it to obtain a breeding licence or be finally graded. By verification of parentage it is understood that the animal itself, as well as its sire and dam are DNA tested, and that it is possible from these results to conclude that the parentage matches that which is entered in the animal’s passport. Verification of parentage using blood samples is also acceptable. The production of the required information can take considerable time, resulting in delays of e.g. entering the stallion on the stallion list, or the breeding licence to come into force. And in some cases it may prove impossible to find the information.

Therefore, the KNN has decided the following: "Stallions presented for breeding approval must be DNA tested and have their parentage verified when entering the stallion for approval. This must also be apparent from the central horse database, HesteData."

As the results of DNA testing and verification of parentage in some cases can take a matter of months, it is important that stallion owners wanting to present their animals for approval plan ahead leaving plenty of time to complete the process. DNA can be tested from a blood or hair sample taken and sent in by a veterinarian. In connection with branding, it is possible to have representatives take hair samples and send to the Animal Health Trust at no charge.

The cost of a DNA test in 2008 is £45. No additional charge for verification of parentage applies if DNA profiles of both sire and dam are available at the laboratory (Blodtypelaboratoriet) in Denmark. However, additional fees can apply if it is necessary to obtain DNA information from other (foreign) laboratories.

From 2007 DNA testing is mandatory for mares graded with the KNN. However, it is encouraged that owners of mares graded prior to this date that have not been DNA tested get them tested. This way the mare will have DNA lodged should she produce an offspring of stallion potential.

If the dam has expired without being DNA tested it may be impossible for a stallion to obtain breeding approval. It may be possible to reconstruct the DNA of the expired mare if she has enough progeny (minimum 3-4) that are all DNA tested. This is however significantly more costly than testing the mare while she is still alive.

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