In the last two months we have covered the basic genetics of the equine color. The fact that two Registered AQHA horses may not always produce an AQHA registerable foal - other than excessive white markings. That the CPEA (The Cremello and Perlino Educational Association) was formed to work toward repealing AQHA Rule 227 (J) and the registration of Double-dilute colors with AQHA. That CPEA presented documentation affirming there are no genetic defects associated with the homozygous dilution genetics at the 2000 AQHA Convention.
So what will we talk about this month? Well, how about the 2001 AQHA Convention and some of the pertinent information on this subject.
2001 AQHA Convention Results
At the 2001 AQHA Convention the CPEA presented for the second time and the 227 (J) issue had the majority of the floor time. The most exciting part of the presentation was a 3 inch binder of letters from top equine geneticists and optometrists discussing possible defects in double dilutes. All were in agreement that there are no defects associated with the dilution genetics.
From the prior year the group learned the General Membership Meeting held the last day of the convention should also be attended. It is at this session of the yearly convention which attending members vote on issues within the AQHA. In this meeting the various committees give their recommendations for rule changes. The General Membership Meeting is the only venue an AQHA member has for voting on issues which are important to them and the Association.
The chairman of the Studbook & Registration Committee announced their recommendations for rule changes which take effect immediately. The Stud Book and Registration Committee is the only committee which does not report to or require approval of their decisions by the AQHA Executive Committee.
The first recommendation was to change the "Excessive White" Rule, raising the allowable white restrictions from center of the knee to middle of the forearm and gaskin, the head can be completely white, and a center line drawn down the middle of underside of the belly may have a white spot of any length as long as it is does not exceed 3 inches on either side of the line.
Then in the same breath the Committee Chairman recommended that ". . . the phrase "commonly called albino" be removed from rule 227 (J); however, it is the belief of the Committee that cremello and Perlinos have health and eye problems, therefore the rest of the rule would remain intact".
It was found out after the convention that the reasoning behind not removing Rule 227 (J) was that a committee member who did not attend the Convention had sent a letter saying that " . . . they had raised Palominos for a years and had produced one or two Cremellos and that the letter writer felt they were inferior animals."
WHAT? AQHA makes policy rules and changes based on the undocumented, personal opinion of one or two individuals within the Association????????
On the matter of "Why - after being presented with documentation, information and letters from Leading Equine Genetists - AQHA was refusing to repeal Rule 227(J) Mr. Griffith said: "I can only tell you that there are members of the committee who have had personal experiences with cremello/Perlinos and it is their feeling that the majority are inferior to other horses in many aspects. They do recognize cremello/Perlinos of exceptional quality do exist but feel they are rare and to register all horses of that color would be a disservice to the breed as a whole."
Now, what was said by the Experts on the issue of Double Dilute colored horses?
Here is an excerpt from a Letter written by D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD, (Professor, Pathology and Genetics, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA ) to the Connemara Pony Society when they were researching Blue-eyed Creams (Their name for double-dilute horses)
"The resource materials are convincing that most BEC horses are normal. I was struck that for every indication of one having some impairment in a given environment others (usually several others) managed a similar environment without impairment. I conclude that the impairment of these few is not inherent in the color. I was especially struck by the even-handed approach taken in the Resource Materials to ferret out information on all BEC Connemaras (and of other breeds) instead of relying on isolated testimonials either for or against this color."
"In summary, I am more convinced now than at the beginning of this exercise that BEC horses can lead humane, normal lives and can be productive, enjoyable, and safe horses for their owners, A few have problems, which is true of many colors of horses. Color preference should be left up to the breeder and buyer, and is not likely to ever be eliminated."
And the late Dr. Ann T. Bowling, PhD, (Executive Associate Director, Veterinary Genetic Laboratory, University of California, Davis Campus) when asked for a quote to be used in a publication sent the following for use in printed material.
"Dr. Bowling is aware only of a couple of case reports of (double dilutes) documenting possible defective vision. There is nothing in current literature to make a definitive statement about incidence of the observed defects. She comments that it is possible that genes may exist to protect against possible vision defects in (double-dilutes). She suggests that various breeds cooperate to fund a study of the issue. There are scientific advantages to making comparisons within and between breeds in a single data set. Dr. Bowling states that we mustn't assume that all blue eyes are due to pigment dilution genes. Some may be associated with spotting genes. She concludes that medical research is needed to determine whether vision defects exist in (double-dilutes)."
So, where does that leave this effort? Still working to get Rule 227 (J) repealed in it's entirety and the colors of Cremello and Perlino listed under Rule 228 as acceptable colors for registration within the American Quarter Horse Association.
Next Month, we'll discuss the 2002 AQHA Convention and what is being done to present this subject for the third consecutive year.
THE COLOR OF A STORM (Part Four) By P.K. House and Natalie Nelson
In the last few months we have covered the basic equine color genetics, the fact that two registered AQHA horses may not always produce an AQHA registerable foal, that the CPEA (The Cremello and Perlino Educational Association) was formed to work toward repealing AQHA Rule 227 (J) and the registration of Double-dilute colors with AQHA. And that the AQHA has been presented scientific and professional documentation affirming there are no genetic defects associated with the homozygous dilution genetics at the 2000 and 2001 AQHA Convention.
So what will we talk about this month?
The 2002 AQHA Convention to be held in Dallas, Texas the first week in March. Mark your calendars for March 1st through 5th at the Hotel Intercontinental. Remember if you are an AQHA member the convention is the only place you can vote on AQHA rule changes and modifications. All AQHA members are welcome to attend, encouraged in fact, and have a voice in the association. A full agenda of the convention will be available on the AQHA website or by writing AQHA and requesting a copy.
This will be the third year that the repeal of Rule "227 J" has been on the agenda. And this year we will be asking for the help of all AQHA members who care. If you've followed this series of articles and agree that all offspring of two registered AQHA animals should be registered, please copy or cut out this letter and send it to Mr. Griffith at AQHA.
(Click here) for a copy of the letter you can print out, fill in your information and send to Mr. Griffith.
We would like to thank the Horse Gazette for publishing this series for us.
This site is not intended to give the visitor a complete education in the science of equine genetics, but merely to explain the cream gene in layman's terms, and thus help dispel some of the myths associated with it. If you have questions about these horses and their coloration, please visit the Cream Gene Facts page, or our Color Discussion Board.
The American Quarter Horse Association had a rule on its books, 227i (formerly known as 227j), that disallowed registration of purebred Quarter Horses with two cream genes. The organization that has gotten the AQHA Rule 227i eliminated has an email list you may join:
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