Compulsory Tests For Genetic Disorders
Some Australian Stock Horses have been identified as carriers of HERDA - Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia. It is a severe skin disorder, causing blistering and lesions, leading to secondary infections and early death. HERDA can be traced through Quarter Horse lineage to a mare called Miss Taylor (born in the USA in 1933), the dam of influential Quarter Horse sire, Poco Bueno. Members should research the disorder before breeding. The AQHA requires horses to be tested and results are available on the AQHA database.

On 9th March, the ASHS Board discussed Genetic Disorders and how to manage them - OLWS, HYPP, HERDA, PSSM1, MH, GBED. They agreed, management is paramount. For further information and key points relating to sire registered stallions, progeny of horses testing positive (carrier or affected) and registration of progeny born after 1st August 2020 (must be negative) as adopted by the Board - click here.

Click to hear from Dr Natasha Hamilton of Equine Genetics Research Centre - Racing Australia, who provides some insight into the work that they do and how they are partnering with the Society to assist with the recent adoption of DNA testing for hereditary diseases.

Stallion Owners Notice

• All Sire Registered stallions must be tested for Genetic Disorders by 1st August 2019. Results will be noted on the horse’s registration. 
• Stallions or colts being Sire Registered will require Genetic Disorder Testing.  Any horse returning a Positive Test (carrier or affected) will be REJECTED for Sire Registration.
• Stallion owners can test their stallions now, enabling results to be disclosed to mare owners before mating.

Dear Members,

As your incoming Chairman of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that being a Member of Australia’s largest equine recreational and pleasure association comes with the backing of worldwide brand recognition. Our great horses have been recognised for their versatility and outstanding temperament on a world stage, supported by a studbook that traces our heritage lines back over the past 100 years. Being registered with the ASHS gives you the breeding integrity associated with our Stud Book. Mandatory DNA testing of sire registered stallions has given us a strong DNA profile for many of our horses. This technology was not available when our Society started.

At our recent AGM, two Motions were presented to Members to vote, in person or by Proxy. Motion 5, related to a change to the Society’s Constitution, clause 11 - Stud Book, in its entirety. Being a change to the Constitution, 75% of Members eligible to vote at the AGM was required for the change to be adopted. The motion was narrowly defeated. Motion 6, related to the reintroducing of registration of First Cross stallions under the Rules and Regulations. This was not a change to the Constitution, it was an opportunity for the Board to obtain feedback from Members in regards to the re-introduction of registration for First Cross Stallions. With slightly over 50% of the vote, the Motion was carried by Members. However, any changes to Rules and Regulations must be endorsed by the Board at a Board Meeting.

Following the feedback from Members, the Board discussed the result of the Members’ vote for Motion 6 at the Board Meeting and have agreed with the reintroduction of First Cross stallions. It will now be a process for the Stud Book Committee to recommend amendments to the Rules and Regulations for final adoption by the Board at a future Board Meeting. As part of this process, the Stud Book Committee and Board will define the procedure, criteria and fees for First Cross stallions, including inspection, parentage verification, genetic testing and the like. Once the regulation amendments and fees are adopted by the Board, Members will be advised through the Society’s official mediums - ASH Journal, Society’s Website and Members’ E-newsletter. After this process is complete, Members will then be eligible to submit applications in due course.

Our Society reinvests substantial money back into our Members through sponsorship and prizemoney. We also invest in many Youth initiatives involving camps, coaching, State and National competitions and our own National Youth Show. Recently we have introduced our National and International Youth Exchange program, giving our aspiring young riders an added incentive to belong to our wonderful Society. I would like to see our outstanding young Members be rewarded for their efforts by being given the opportunity to travel to the USA, Canada or New Zealand as young ambassadors for our Society.

Major campdrafts have also been recipients of substantial sponsorship and our own ASHS National Show campdraft program offer prizemoney and trophies valued at over $63,000. The ASHS will be a major Sponsor at next year’s World Cup Polocrosse tournament in Warwick, QLD. The majority of horses playing will be registered ASH horses and will present as a great spectacle and will be a great advertisement for our breed on a world stage.

Finally, many of you may have recently received an introductory letter from a group calling themselves Equine Performance Registry of Australia. The ASHS has operated for nearly 50 years and highly values the relationship with you… our Members. I would encourage you to make an informed decision based on facts and experience, not ideologies.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to serving the Membership in my new capacity.

Kind Regards,
Larry Cutler - ASHS Chairman of the Board