01/09/2026
AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association in Amarillo, Texas, USA) & AQHANZ have been testing for genetic traits for 20 years approximately.
There are a lot of different tests
Firstly all horses to be registered with AQHANZ and AQHA need their genetic markers. This is the DNA unique to each individual
Secondly AQHANZ requires all horses being registered to be parentage verified. This is where the foals markers are checked against both sire and dam's markers to ensure the foal is indead by the parents stated. This means the sire and dam's genetic markers must be on file
Next is the genetic traits test. Some of these are recessive where the horse is 100% healthy carrying one gene, and some of the traits are dominant where one gene means the horse is afflicted with the disease although the disease may not have been triggered and the horse may not be symptomatic
The original 5 panel genetic traits test has been expanded due to the amount of AQHA funded horse research. All AQHA testing is done through UCDavis
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/dna-tests/horse
Massey University through their site Infogenenz can test for the 6 panel
https://infogenenz.co.nz/collections/equine
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP)
Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is an inherited disease of the muscles primarily found in Quarter Horses which is characterized by sporadic episodes of muscle tremors or paralysis.
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/hypp
Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED)
Glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED) is a fatal genetic disorder that results from the inability to correctly store glycogen in several organs of the body.
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/gbed
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA)
Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) is an inherited skin condition primarily found in Quarter Horses that is characterized by hyperextensible skin, scarring, and severe lesions along the back of affected horses.https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/herda
Malignant Hyperthermia (MH)
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited disease in which affected horses can be triggered by halogenated anesthetics, succinylcholine, stress, or excitement, which can induce a hyper-metabolic state characterized by symptoms including muscle contracture, elevated temperature, and an irregular heart rhythm.
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/mh
Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1)
Type 1 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy is a glycogen storage disease that results in the accumulation of abnormal complex sugars in muscle cells, which can lead to muscle pain, weakness, and reluctance to move.
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pssm1Myosin-Heavy Chain Myopathy (MYHM)
Formerly known as IMM, Myosin-heavy chain myopathy (MYHM) is a muscle disease in Quarter Horses and related breeds that results in two distinct clinical disease presentations, immune-mediated myositis (IMM) and non-exertional rhabdomyolysis. Both presentations involve muscle loss or damage and are linked to the same genetic variant.https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/myhm
UC Davis also has some new tests and a few I had not heard of
Equine Juvenile Spinocerebellar Ataxia (EJSCA)
Equine Juvenile Spinocerebellar Ataxia (EJSCA) is an inherited neurologic disease that causes ataxia in American Quarter Horses.
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/equine-juvenile-spinocerebellar-ataxia-ejsca
Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT)
Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a bleeding disorder characterized by platelet dysfunction. This test detects 2 variants associated with Glanzmann thrombasthenia in horses.
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/gt
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)
Five mutations in the androgen receptor gene, located on the X chromosome, are known to result in androgen insensitivity. Androgen insensitivity syndrome causes male horses to be sterile and appear phenotypically female.
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/ais-horse
Colour Tests are another whole list
Five mutations in the androgen receptor gene, located on the X chromosome, are known to result in androgen insensitivity. Androgen insensitivity syndrome causes male horses to be sterile and appear phenotypically female.
