DYNAMIK STALLIONS
Genetic Tests
Statement on Lateral Gait Genetic Risk – Stallion Breeding Assessment
Based on available progeny testing data and established genetic principles, the risk of Golden West NRW transmitting the lateral gait mutation associated with the DMRT3 gene can be assessed with a very high degree of confidence.
The stallion, Golden West NRW has produced in excess of 400 tested progeny, none of which have returned a positive result for the lateral gait mutation to our knowledge.
The stallion station Rohmann reported to Dynamik Stallions in early 2026 that they are not aware of any direct progeny of Golden West that presented with the Gait Gene issue.
No progeny in the USA have been reported to have the Gait Gene issue and no progeny have been reported to Dynamik Stallions as having tested positive for the Gait Gene Issue.
Dynamik Stallions were made aware of a grandson of Golden West NRW presenting with the lateral gait issues as a foal in Germany.
Under standard Mendelian inheritance, a stallion carrying one copy of the mutation (heterozygous, A/C) would be expected to pass the allele to approximately 50% of his offspring. The probability of observing zero positive foals out of more than 400, if the stallion were in fact a carrier, is effectively zero.
This body of evidence provides overwhelming statistical support that the stallion does not carry the lateral gait mutation and is functionally homozygous negative (C/C). As such, he cannot transmit the mutation to his progeny.
Accordingly, when bred to mares that are also negative (C/C), there is no risk of producing foals carrying the lateral gait mutation.
When bred to mares that are carriers (A/C) or homozygous positive (A/A), any occurrence of the mutation in offspring can be attributed to the mare, not the stallion.
In practical breeding terms, this stallion may be considered genetically safe with respect to the transmission of the lateral gait mutation. The likelihood of him contributing this trait to offspring is negligible to non-existent, based on both empirical progeny data and genetic probability.
Dear Mrs Jarvis,
We have finished the tests you requested for Golden West NRW.
Most of our results use n to represent normal or negative. You will usually see a pair of genotypes together, because animals have two copies of most genes. For test results that are not "n n" you can use the comments to help you understand what we found.
This is a summary of the results for Golden West NRW:
* These tests are marker tests. We classify a test as being a marker when it does not cause that trait, but is statistically associated with it. This means that in a minority of cases an animal can test negative but still have the trait, or conversely test positive but still lack the trait. Some tests are classified as markers because environmental triggers are required to make the trait apparent.
Kind regards,
Dr. Kao Castle
Practical Horse Genetics
P: +61 410 492 005
LATERAL GAIT
These tests are marker tests. These tests are classified a test as being a marker when it does not cause that trait, but is statistically associated with it. This means that in a minority of cases an animal can test negative but still have the trait, or conversely test positive but still lack the trait. Some tests are classified as markers because environmental triggers are required to make the trait apparent.
Horses with one or more copies of the 'A' allele in this test are often able to use additional gaits. It is not a guarantee however - horses can carry the 'A' allele and still show no additional gaits. That is why the test is classified as a genetic marker (ie. strongly associated with additional gaits) rather than a causative genetic variant.
Most horses move using the classic walk, trot, canter and gallop paces. Gaited horses often have additional paces. There are a wide range of additional paces, including the tölt, running walk, rack, paso fino (classic fino), paso corto, paso largo, paso ilano, sobreandando, and fox trot.
FRAGILE FOAL SYNDROME
All of the Dynamik Stallions are tested for Fragile Foal Syndrome. Whilst the genetic disorder is not commonly found in the pony breeds, we tested due to the health issues that it can cause to foals. If you wish to have your mare tested, you can use PRACTICAL HORSE GENETICS to ensure your mare is FFS free.
Fragile foal syndrome (FFS) is a genetic disorder found in Warmblood horses, Thoroughbreds and breeds that have included these bloodlines.
FFS usually causes foetal loss. Foals that survive until birth are born with extremely fragile skin and lax limb joints. Their skin can be easily torn or damaged by normal contact with their surroundings. Foals with FFS are usually euthanised due to their inability to stand and the continual risk of severe infection from their skin injuries.
FFS is an autosomal recessive disorder. Autosomal disorders are equally likely to affect male or female horses, while "recessive" means that a horse needs to inherit the FFS mutation from both its sire and its dam to be affected.
The carrier rate for Warmbloods in Australia is slightly over 10%. Thoroughbred carriers have also been found.
CEREBELLAR ABIOTROPHY
The Dynamik Stallions are all tested for CA before import. If you wish to test your mare you can pay for a test through PRACTICAL HORSE GENETICS.
Cerebellar Abiotrophy is the only compulsory test for the GRP breed required for stallions in Germany. This Gene is of a serious health concern for ponies.
CA can appear in pure and part-bred Arabians, Australian Ponies and Welsh ponies and cobs.
Horses affected by CA can show head tremors, problems with their balance, and exaggerated or erratic leg movements. The age where signs of CA appear and severity of the signs vary substantially. In the best cases, the horse appears normal for several years (or more in at least one Australian case). In the worst cases an affected foal will be unable to stand without assistance after birth, and will need to be euthanised. Most cases fall between these two extremes, with signs appearing in a weanling or young horse that progressively worsen over a few months or years.
CA is an autosomal recessive disorder. Autosomal disorders are equally likely to affect male or female horses, while "recessive" means that a horse needs to inherit the CA mutation from both its sire and its dam to be affected.
Top Der Da, Golden Rock, Trussardi D, Numerus Clausus, Golden West NRW and GvK Daily Star have all been tested
negative (n.n.) for CA (Cerebellar Abiotrophy) and negative (n.n.) for WFFS (Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome)
Don Philino WE
Lateral Gait Marker tests for our other stallions will be added as soon as they become available
HB Daily Sunshine
GvK Daily Star