- Etalon Admin
A Focus on Discovery: Etalon's Discoveries & Publications
Here at Etalon we have a strong focus on research and discovery. As horse people, we understand that no one knows your horse better than you do. In working closely with owners, trainers, riders and veterinarians, we accelerate the discovery process and learn more about equine health, genetics and performance - everyone wins!
Here's an ever-growing list of all of Etalon's current discoveries and publications:
Fragile Foal Syndrome occurs across diverse horse populations (discovered 2020)

Fragile Foal Syndrome has been found in a variety of horse breeds. As we continue to monitor the incidence of this variant across the horse population it is apparent that the Fragile Foal Syndrome is not limited to Warmbloods as originally thought.
SNO ("SnowDrop") (discovered 2019)

A new dilute!
Bisbee, et al., "Identification of a Novel Missense Variant in SLC45A2 associated with dilute snowdrop phenotype in Gypsy horses" (2019) Anim. Genet.
SPLASHED WHITE 5 ("AfterShock") (discovered 2019)

Henkel, et al., "Whole-genome sequencing reveals a large deletion in the MITF gene in horses with white spotted coat colour and increased risk of deafness" (2019) Anim. Genet. 50: 172-4.
PEARL & SUNSHINE ("Captain Sunshine") (discovered 2019)

Dilutes Pearl and Sunshine!
Holl, et al., "A candidate gene approach identifies variants in SLC45A2 that explain dilute phenotypes, pearl and sunshine, in compound heterozygote horses." (2019) Anim. Genet. 50(3):271-274.
WHITE 22 ("Airdrie Apache") (discovered 2017)

Leeb, et al., "Whole genome sequencing reveals a novel deletion variant in the KIT gene in horses with white spotted coat colour phenotypes." (2017) Anim. Genet. 48(4):483-485.
WHITE 23 and W15/W15 ("Khartoon Khlassic") (discovered 2017)


Holl, et al., "A novel splice mutation within equine KIT and the W15 allele in the homozygous state lead to all white coat color phenotypes" (2017) Anim. Genet. 48(4):497-498.
WHITE 30 (discovered 2020)


De novo mutation of KIT causes extensive coat white patterning in a family of Berber horses
On-going: Identification of Genomic Loci with Performance Limiting Kissing Spines in Quarter Horses and Warmbloods

The official release of the Kissing Spines study initial results was presented to veterinarians at the AAEP Virtual Convention & Trade Show by Etalon Advisors Beau Whitaker, DVM, and Samantha Brooks, Ph.D.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms for NDA typing in domestic horse (SNP Parentage) (discovered 2017)
We won't spoil anything, but expect this list to grow very, very soon!
A special thank you to all of the horse owners who have trusted Team Etalon with these discoveries. Stay tuned for more!
Team Etalon