DNA Testing Requirements

The following information relates to DNA testing requirements for registration with Dilutes Australia Ltd.

Please read these prior to completing and lodging any paperwork for registration with the company.

More information can be obtained by contacting either the Registrar (dilutes@iinet.net.au) or the General Secretary (pgrossington@bigpond.com)

All DNA results will be recorded on registration certificates.

What must be tested....

All solid dilutes with a grey parent must be DNA'd for grey (UNLESS the owner states the horse or pony carries grey) and must return a negative test result to be eligible for registration .

All solid dilutes with a roan parent must be DNA'd for roan where a roan test is available for that breed (UNLESS the owner states the horse or pony carries roan) and must return a negative test result to be eligible for registration.  Breeds for which a roan DNA test is not available will be required to be tested as soon as tests become available and if found to be positive, will be de-registered.

Palominos:

To be eligible for palomino registration with Dilutes Australia Ltd, palominos cannot carry any dilution genes other than cream.  Palominos carrying other dilution genes are only eligible for registration as those other dilutions.

SILVER: As silver is not visible in red-based horses, all palominos with a silver (Z) parent must be tested for silver prior to registration.  If found to be positive for this dilution, they will be registered as silvers, not palominos.

Smokey blacks and brown buckskins:

All horses / ponies being presented for registration as either a smokey black or a brown buckskin will be required to undergo DNA testing for cream UNLESS one or more of the following criteria applies:

• proof of double CREAM dilute parentage,
• production of CREAM dilute progeny from non-cream dilute partners
  
• double CREAM dilute progeny

Cremellos and perlinos:

All cremellos and perlinos with unknown parentage must be DNA'd for grey and roan (if available) and must return negative test results to be eligible for registration. They may additionally be required to be DNA tested for all available coat pattern genes (OLWS, tobiano, splash, Lp etc) if there is cause to suspect that they may be exhibiting some of these coat patterns.

Duns:

All horses and ponies being presented for dun registration that exhibit primitive markings which in the opinion of the registrar are not consistent with those found on true genetic duns will be required to undergo a dun zygosity test unless they have a proven homozygous dun parent.

Silvers:

All horses and ponies being presented for registration as Silvers which do not have a proven homozygous silver parent may be required to be DNA'd for the silver & / or agouti at the registrar's discretion.

Pearls:

Horses being presented for registration as heterozygous pearls on a base colour (red, bay, brown or black) which do not have a proven homozygous pearl OR cream/pearl parent will be required to undergo DNA testing for pearl.

Tobiano, Frame Overo, Splashed White, Sabino, White Spotting etc parentage:

All solid dilute horses and ponies with BROKEN COLOURED PARENTAGE (as per the above) are eligible for solid dilute registration provided they conform to the company's regulations with respect to white markings & eye colour but must be DNA tested for all coat pattern genes carried by their parents.  Their DNA results will be recorded on their paperwork.

Appaloosa, Palouse Pony, Spotted Pony parentage:

All solid dilute horses and ponies with APPALOOSA, PALOUSE PONY OR SPOTTED PONY PARENTAGE must be DNA tested for Lp and will be eligible for solid dilute registration upon the return of negative DNA tests for Lp provided they conform to the company's regulations with respect to white markings & eye colour. 

Any dilute with APPALOOSA, PALOUSE PONY OR SPOTTED PONY PARENTAGE that returns a positive test for Lp will be DA Non Solid Dilute registered.

Procedure for DNA collection and submission:

Suggested Labs

Please note that Dilutes Australia accepts DNA results from any accredited lab; the following labs are recommendations only due to their history of providing reliable results in a good turnaround time.

Practical Horse Genetics (AUS)

Please visit the website for information about lodging samples and prices.

Animal Genetics (US)

All forms are available from the lab's website: www.animalgenetics.us.

UC Davis (US)

Please visit the website for information about lodging samples and prices.

Procedures

We have also provided a more detailed guide in pdf format.

Step 1: download the DNA collection verification form (an authorised person includes a Dilutes Australia accredited classifier or nominated person or a branch committee member)

Step 2: download the DNA kit from the lab's website Instructions for collection are contained on this form. Tick the boxes for the required tests:

• cream for black or brown buckskins
• silver and both bay and brown agouti for silvers
• grey as applicable
• OLWS / tobiano / SW1 / SW2 / SW3 / LP as applicable
• champagne etc
• pearl

Step 3: Download the Import Permit if using one of the US labs (please note that this document must be included with all samples sent to the lab because if a random check is carried out at Customs and the permit is not included, the sample will be confiscated)

Step 4: complete both forms as per instructions contained on each.

Step 5: complete an Australian customs permit available from the post office if using an overseas lab.

Step 6: send to addresses as per instructions on each form.

Step 7: the lab will notify you by email of the results. Either attach a copy of the email to the registration applications OR forward by email to the registrar at dilutes@iinet.net.au

---

Return from DNA Testing Requirements to Home page

---