Where there is H.O.P.E….

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DFR Patahas Redheart (Blu) first breeding season, covering mares and being collected from on the dummy mare took its toll. After all the excitement Blu’s condition dropped, we anticipated the inevitable and a month before the breeding season increased his daily feed.

After the mares were confirmed in foal, Blu’s stud duties were officially over and it was time for a light introduction back within the ring, we think he’s looking rather well!

The Horse Owners & Ponies Exhibitors (HOPE) Malvern Festival at Three Counties Showground.

One late afternoon class at our doorstep!

He doesn’t need credit for winning the young stock award and overall British Appaloosa Society Champion because there was no competition, but what he does require recognition for was his amazing attitude at his first show in 2018.

He stood impeccably well tied to the lorry in the shade on a very hot day, he was not bothered by the many lorries and horses that passed him and he stood calmly in the collecting ring with no stallion traits observed surrounded by horses and ponies being warmed up.

 

Very impressive…

Redheart Ru’s Genetic Trait and DNA…

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One of many factors involved in breeding is DNA, we submit to the Appaloosa Societies all our horses DNA, a  personal and unique form of genetic identification, a profile that establishes identity.

Animal genetics provide a quick and simple service, submitting a sample is very easy by pulling 30-40 mane and/or tail hairs from the horse, ensuring the actual root of the hair is attached.
Usually, within five working days, you will receive the DNA report.

There are many genetic marker profiles but the labs concentrate on 20.

This is our stallions DFR Patahas Redheart (Blu) DNA profile:

This is our mares Redheart Regal’s (Blanc) DNA profile

And this is Redheart Ru’s DNA profile, the offspring of Blanc x Blu.

All our foals are parentage tested, by cross-referencing the parents DNA. The foal will have one copy from each of its parent’s markers.

For simplicity, here is a copy of our own records for Ru, Blanc’s DNA in red and Ru’s copy from her dam in red. Blu’s DNA in black and Ru’s copy from her sire in black.

One thing Ru inherited from her dam was her white face markings. At the present time, there is no way you could tell that Blanc has/had white face markings because she has coloured out but here is a picture of Blanc as a foal.

 

Blanc         Ru 

The traits and DNA…

The UK’s First GAP 6 Foal is Created – History in the making!

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April 21st,2013, Redheart Pascalius (aka Evee) was born, from this day her destiny was planned, to be proven in the ring and then to join our broodmares. Over the past five years, we have witnessed the amazing colour and pattern change as she’s matured and today we announce she is confirmed in foal to our stallion DFR Patahas Redheart (aka Blu).

Evee 2013

The BREEDING

Evee 2014

Evee and Blu are on the American “A” register with the Appaloosa Horse Club UK.

The foal will be “A” register

Both horses are registered with the British Appaloosa Society, Evee GRADE A and Blu GRADE B.

The foal will be registered as GRADE A

 

Evee 2015

Evee is 100% Foundation Pedigree Designation (FPD), 5 generations of pure Appaloosa x Appaloosa blood lines, Blu is also 100% FPD, therefore the foal will be 100% FPD. Because you cannot get higher than 100%, the Appaloosa Horse Club introduced the Generation Advancement Programme (GAP) which allows the foal of two 100% FPD parents to enter the first level, GAP 5. Evee and Blu are both GAP 5, therefore this foal will be the UK’s first GAP 6.

 

Evee 2016

Evee is not eligible (75% required) with the Foundation Appaloosa Horse Register, she is

72.0215% but Blu is registered at 92.9687%.

The resulting foal will be registered, with foundation lines traced back to the first 8 Stud Books of the ApHC at 82.4951%.

The GENETICS

Evee is genetically black (EE aa) and Blu is (EE aa) so the resulting foal will be definitely (EE aa). Blu carries the cream gene, so there is a 50% chance of a smokey black foal.

Evee has one copy of the Leopard Complex gene, LP/lp and Blu is LP/LP. The resulting foal will definitely inherit Appaloosa Characteristics from the LP gene with the result being 50% heterozygous (LP/lp) or (LP/LP) homozygous.

Evee 2017

Evee didn’t inherit the PATTN1 gene (patn1/patn1) and Blu has two copies (PATN1/PATN1), therefore the foal will 100% inherit one copy from Blu and be PATN1/patn1.

Both horses are negative for the 5-panel test and grey gene, by default the foal will also be negative by parentage.

The PERFORMANCE

Evee and Blu have excelled in the ring, both have won at County and National level. Between them, they have won Championships and Register of Merit (ROM) certificates with ApHC, Highest Grade Awards with BApS and Performance Awards with ApHC UK.

Evee 2018

X

Blu

History in the making, one reason why we breed forward!

Always Welcome Constructive Feedback…

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Our second ridden competition at Merrist Wood, Surry under the Appaloosa Horse Club UK (ApHC UK)

We have supported the ApHC UK Spring shows for many years with all our in-hand young stock and this year we competed under saddle.

We arrived when the Western classes started at noon,  warming Reus up around many other horses was something new to us, Reus is not used to horses being ridden around him and we have a few hurdles to overcome but this is where we start.

We entered the ring for the Walk/Jog Pleasure class with a very positive attitude, Reus warmed up beautifully with his presence acknowledged, achieving an honorable 3rd out of seven.

Our second class Novice Rider, I allowed Reus to drop his head too much, this obviously was immediately picked up by the Judge who explained my placing. Here is a picture of Reus, not carrying himself.

Taking the constructive feedback, I put it to good use in our third class, the Judge praised our efforts, the improvement recognition rewarded with third place.

 

Although we had practiced our last two classes at home with patterns, I felt it was too much to ask Reus at his first Western event. It was very late and we had a long drive ahead so I decided to leave the day on a positive note. We have plenty of time ahead of us, we are still learning and developing a relationship in our new venture under saddle.

We really enjoyed our first Western event, such lovely competitors with highly trained horses, who were a pleasure to watch.

We always appreciate constructive feedback, whether it’s positive or negative we listen, learn and aim to improve.