Scientists Identify Genes Associated with ‘Roaring’ Horse Disorder

[Wandering Eyes]

New research has pinpointed genes associated with a disease seen as a major contributor to poor performance in Thoroughbred racehorses, University College Dublin (UCD) announced on Tuesday.

Hailed as a breakthrough in combatting the equine performance-limiting disorder Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN)–often referred to as laryngeal hemiplegia or 'roaring'–the discovery will enable the development of a genetic test to identify horses with a three-times higher risk of developing the disease. It currently affects up to 18% of horses by acting on the muscles in their upper airways, resulting in reduced airflow and increased work of breathing during exercise.

Working with a world-leading Thoroughbred racehorse training yard, and with funding from Research Ireland, researchers at UCD and Equinome examined more than 200 horses-in-training. They utilised gold-standard methodologies for diagnosing RLN, including a combined approach of resting and overground exercising upper airway endoscopy, as well as laryngeal ultrasounds.

Using DNA technologies, they found a set of genetic markers associated with the disease.

“Accurately diagnosing disease using gold-standard methodologies is one of the most important factors in a genetic study,” said project lead Lisa Katz, UCD Professor in Equine Internal Medicine. “Following years of intensive veterinary examination of the horses, it is extremely rewarding to see our research come to fruition.

“Understanding the genetic risk of your horse for roaring can help with early intervention and management. This might include monitoring highly predisposed horses more closely and considering surgical interventions at an earlier stage to improve treatment success.”

The new findings have been published in the peer-reviewed Equine Veterinary Journal.

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