Krista Lea, MS, coordinator, UK Horse Pasture Evaluation Program
Mary Jane Little, MS, academic coordinator
James MacLeod, VMD, PhD, director
Savannah Robin, EdD, lecturer of career and professional development
Jill Stowe, PhD, director of undergraduate studies
CONNECT WITH US
N212 Ag Sciences Building North Lexington, KY 40546-0091 (859) 257-2226 equine@uky.edu equine.mgcafe.uky.edu
Cover photo by Mary Jane Little Graphic design by Ag Communications Services, LouRae Stacy @UKAgEquine @ukequineprograms
UK AG EQUINE PROGRAMS VOLUNTEERS GIVE BACK TO LEXINGTON’S EQUINE INDUSTRY DURING ANNUAL SERVICE EVENT
During the weekends of Nov. 1-2 and Nov. 9, 55 participants volunteered more than 150 hours during the program’s Weekend of Service event. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
IN THE NEWS
Equine Science and Management junior, Jessica Licausi was recently recognized with two articles she wrote over the summer for Trainer Magazine. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
FROM OUR STUDENTS…SOME OF THE PIECES WRITTEN IN AN EQUINE COURSE
A current equine course is designed to expose students to hot button issues in the industry and encourage them to research and formulate well-communicated opinions about those issues. Read some here. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
UPCOMING EVENTS & IMPORTANT DEADLINES
DECEMBER
12/2 ESMA Experiential Learning Showcase
12/18
Graduation Open House
Full event listings and details can be found here.
WELCOME
Exploring the Path to Veterinary School: Inside UK’s Pre-Vet Mentoring Program
Veterinary medicine is continually evolving—through new educational models, advances in animal health care and the growing financial challenges of earning a veterinary degree. What remains constant, however, is persistent student interest in veterinary medicine and an ongoing commitment to support and prepare current (and future!) University of Kentucky students for success in this field or related disciplines.
UK’s Pre-Veterinary Mentoring team consists of three people who assist interested students – campuswide and regardless of major – that are exploring their path to veterinary medicine.
AMBER MCNAMARA, DVM, MHS DIRECTOR, PRE-VETERINARY MENTORING PROGRAM
Academic Coordinator Katie Merrell joined the team in September and brings a thoughtful blend of veterinary experience and insight. Senior Academic Coordinator Colette Tebeau combines extensive advising experience with a strategic mindset for preveterinary course planning. In addition to teaching undergraduate courses, they provide exceptional guidance to first- and second-year students considering a pre-veterinary plan. Meeting topics include veterinary school prerequisites, GPA calculations, the value of meaningful veterinary experiences and an overview of vet school resources. As third- and fourth-year pre-vet students further hone their plans, many preparing to submit their veterinary applications, they
work with Amber McNamara, Director of the Pre-Veterinary Mentoring program. Students carefully consider school-specific requirements, essay nuances, student debt, scholarship options, vet school life and, in some cases, an alternative plan. Through the first 10 months of 2025, the team held over 375 individual mentor meetings, evaluating each student’s unique academic and experiential pathway, and ensuring every student understands the scope, magnitude, options and challenges within their plan.
Currently, nearly 400 UK students have expressed an interest in a pre-veterinary pathway. These students come from varied backgrounds, hometowns, and animal experiences, and all have unique interests and attributes. Despite their differences, commonalities include a staunch commitment to animal well-being, a desire to advance animal (and human) health and a calling to give back to their communities.
While more than 75% of interested pre-veterinary students are pursuing degrees in Animal and Food Sciences or Equine Science and Management, there are 24 unique majors represented among pre-veterinary students at UK, including Art Studio, Kinesiology, Social Work, Psychology and more. There is no specific major required by veterinary programs, and students are encouraged to
Amber McNamara, right, teaches pre-veterinary students. Photos by UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Ag Communications.
pursue a major that is the best fit for their interests, goals, and abilities, being mindful of prerequisites required by each of their prospective vet schools. While prerequisites vary by program, there are commonly shared essentials: a strong proficiency in biology, chemistry, physics and math, tempered with skills in effective communication, efficient time-management and genuine resourcefulness.
In the 2025-26 veterinary application cycle, 40 UK students optimistically submitted their vet school applications to programs across the country (and the world). According to the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the number of applicants to veterinary programs in 2025 surpassed 12,000 for the first time ever. Applicants may start to receive feedback from programs before the end of the year, with qualified candidates earning an invitation to interview with one or more programs. The Pre-Vet Mentoring team conducts mock interview sessions, both in person and virtually, to help prepare students for this portion of their application. Most
accepted applicants will begin their first year in veterinary school in the fall, while a few programs offer January and May start dates.
In 2025, a new undergraduate certificate in Pre-Veterinary Medicine was launched through the Martin-Gatton College of Food, Agriculture and Environment. This 14-credit certificate allows students (of any major) to gain proficiency in veterinary medical terminology, explore a “Foundations in Veterinary Medicine” course, investigate professional preparation and specialty electives, complete an experiential module and contribute to a summative capstone course.
The Pre-Vet Mentoring Program also actively engages in events year-round, targeting both undergraduate and high school students, to encourage thoughtful and thorough understanding of the challenges within the industry, the multitude of career options, the importance of rigorous science and math preparations and, ultimately, whether a pathway towards a veterinary career is the best fit for each.
These programs include online forums with current vet students (UK alums), 4-H Teen conference, prospective student visits and the popular UK Pre-Veterinary Experience Day, held annually on the weekend before President’s Day.
The third annual Pre-Veterinary Experience Day, scheduled for Feb. 14, 2026, will welcome high school students eager to explore the field of veterinary medicine, and will include dedicated sessions for their parents as well. Morning sessions will be delivered to both cohorts and will include veterinary medicine misconceptions, an overview of career possibilities and a Q&A panel featuring UK graduates currently in veterinary programs. After lunch, students will engage in hands-on veterinary-related activities while parents learn more about topics such as healthy support of pre-vet students and understanding what it takes – academically, financially and psychologically – to be a successful undergraduate, graduate or professional student. The afternoon session will also feature a panel of current UK PreVet students, sharing insights into their undergraduate education, experiential opportunities and student support at UK.
The UK Pre-Veterinary Mentoring team looks forward to continued collaboration with campus and community partners, supporting students as they navigate their own pre-veterinary journeys. There is no doubt that UK students will adapt to ongoing changes and continue to make meaningful impacts across all aspects of animal health, human health and the veterinary industry.
Amber McNamara, right, teaches pre-veterinary students. Photos by UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Ag Communications.
Advisor: Mary Rossano, mary.rossano@uky.edu uksaddleseatteam@gmail.com
UKY Saddleseat Team
IN ADDITION TO THIS PUBLICATION, UK AG EQUINE PROGRAMS HAS OTHER READS IN ITS PUBLICATION STABLE.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUES OF THE EQUINE SCIENCE REVIEW OR THE GRADUATE GALLOP OR SUBSCRIBE HERE.
UK AG EQUINE PROGRAMS VOLUNTEERS GIVE BACK TO LEXINGTON’S EQUINE INDUSTRY DURING ANNUAL SERVICE EVENT
by Holly Wiemers
photos by Mary Jane Little
Giving back to Central Kentucky’s equine industry through Weekend of Service has become an annual tradition event for the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine Programs, part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. During the weekends of Nov. 1-2 and Nov. 9, 55 participants volunteered more than 150 hours during the program’s Weekend of Service event.
“Weekend of Service is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and friends of all equids to pay it forward to our beloved equine industry here in the bluegrass,” said Mary Jane Little, event organizer and academic coordinator within the program’s Equine Science and Management degree program. “From scrubbing water buckets, painting, mulching, organizing and
cleaning tack to grooming horses, we strive to show our appreciation.”
The effort began as the Equine Week of Service in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown days. Students wanted to help support Kentucky’s signature industry in a meaningful way while finding opportunities to connect with other students who share a similar passion for horses. The event was wildly popular, and it became an annual tradition. The full week of service transitioned into a weekend of service in 2024.
“This experience reminded me how meaningful it is to serve through what we love and how giving back helps us grow both personally and professionally,” said Bethany Smith, an equine senior and intern for UK Ag Equine Programs who helped spearhead the event. “I’m
so thankful to be part of a program that values service, leadership and connection within the equine industry. It was amazing to see how teamwork and community spirit come together to make a difference.”
This year’s volunteer efforts benefited the African Cemetery No. 2, BraveHearts Equine Center and Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. African Cemetery No. 2 holds significant historical importance because it includes the burial site of Isaac Burns Murphy, a renowned African American jockey. BraveHearts Equine Center is a draft horse rescue with more than 140 animals. Central Kentucky Riding for Hope is a facility which assists with the quality of life and health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and
social needs through therapeutic activities.
During the past five years, the initiative has resulted in more than 2,000 volunteer hours given to nonprofits in Central Kentucky’s equine industry. Locations served have included African Cemetery No. 2, Bluegrass Farms Charities, BraveHearts Equine Center, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Justin’s Place, Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police, Masterson Equestrian Trust, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Old Friends, Our Mims Retirement Haven, The Secretariat Center and the Thoroughbred Makeover/Retired Racehorse Project.
Equine student Delaney Foster designed a commemorative shirt for this year’s event.
David and Ruth Waronker, founders of BraveHearts Equine Center, generously donated a seven-passenger van to the program, which gave students without their own transportation the ability to participate.
Volunteers often report getting more out of the experience than they put in. Reflections from UK Ag Equine Programs Director James MacLeod are no exception.
“The Weekend of Service has become a wonderful annual tradition. Within the equine agriculture community, we meet interesting people and learn about wonderful programs. It also allows us to be the engaged and caring person we all admire and want to be,” he said. “Sharing this very positive experience with students and my UK colleagues has been especially enriching for me.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Explore Australia’s Equine Industry with visits to equine facilities, breeding farms, and racing operations
Guided experiences at the worldrenowned Australia Zoo
Deepen cultural understanding with an Aboriginal-led cultural tour
Experience Australia’s landscapes on horseback while also visiting rural communities local vineyards, and regional industries
Fernanda
Camargo
Holly Wiemers
MARTIN-GATTON STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY APPLICATIONS OPEN
Applications are now open for the Martin-Gatton Student Leadership Academy. Accepted students will participate in a two-year cohort starting Fall 2026. This opportunity is open to students enrolled in a major in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, are sophomores or juniors and are in good academic standing. The deadline to apply is Dec. 3 at 11:59 pm ET.
IN THE NEWS
Equine Science and Management junior, Jessica Licausi was recently recognized with two articles she wrote over the summer for Trainer Magazine.
Prepping for the Sales: https://issuu.com/anderson-co/docs/north_american_ trainer_-_summer_2025_-_issue_77/40
The Art of Equine Transition: https://issuu.com/anderson-co/docs/north_ american_trainer_-_breeders_cup_25_issue
How the UK Eventing Team Launched Isabel McSwain’s Multimedia Career
Source: U.S. Eventing story by Meagan DeLisle, published Nov. 12, 2025
Isabel McSwain knew that the University of Kentucky was for her the first time she attended the Kentucky ThreeDay Event.
“I went to what was then Rolex at the time and absolutely fell in love with eventing and Lexington,” she recalled. She went home, pulled her retired saddleseat horse out of the pasture, started eventing and set her sights on attending UK after graduating high school.
“There were no questions about it—I knew I loved Lexington, and they had an eventing team, so it was perfect.”
She got involved with the UK Eventing Team her freshman year and even brought her Saddlebred with her to school, but early on in her college years, he tore his meniscus and had to be retired.
Read the story in its entirety at https://useventing.com/news-media/news/how-the-uk-eventing-team-launchedisabel-mcswains-multimedia-career
FROM OUR STUDENTS… SOME OF THE PIECES WRITTEN IN AN EQUINE COURSE
An important part of the mission of our program includes undergraduate education, specifically with our Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program. A class taught by Camie Heleski, a faculty member and lecturer within the program – is one designed to present provocative, often controversial issues that are current to the equine industry. In this course, students are introduced to topics, hear from speakers, research information and communicate about industry issues in written and oral formats. The course is designed to expose students to hot button issues in the industry and encourage them to research and formulate well-communicated opinions about those issues. One avenue made available to this course was publishing some of those stories here.
PDR: Preserving Land and Protecting Futures
By Jolie Pettit
Imagine owning a beautiful piece of farmland that has been in your family for generations. You love the open
space, peace and quiet and the legacy of your family it represents. It’s more than just land. It is full of memories, heritage and promises of the future. But when developers are offering an unfathomable amount of money to turn it into housing or commercial buildings, the pressure to sell can be overwhelming. Especially when financial needs have to be met, this may feel like the only option. What if you could keep your land the way it is and get paid for not developing it? That’s the idea behind Purchase of Development Rights (PDR), a voluntary program that helps landowners preserve their land while receiving financial compensation. This is a concept that has been gaining traction across the country, especially in areas where farmland and open space are rapidly disappearing due to development.
In the United States, land ownership comes with a handful of rights, including the right to farm, sell or develop. A PDR program allows landowners to sell their rights to develop, usually to a government agency or land trust, while keeping ownership and continuing to use the land for agriculture, conservation or preservation. This agreement is regulated and approved using a conservation easement, which permanently restricts development, even if the land is sold or inherited.
This means the land stays as it is, no matter who owns it. It can still be farmed, grazed or used for recreation, but it can’t be developed. According to the American Farmland Trust (2023), “PDR programs are one of the most effective tools for protecting farmland from development pressure while keeping it in private hands.”
Landowners choose PDR for a variety of reasons. Financial compensation is a major incentive as they receive payment for development rights they may never plan to use. This can be extra helpful for farmers who have tons of land but do not have the funds to keep up with it. It also allows families to continue their legacy, ensuring the land remains nearly exactly the same for future generations.
Another reason for choosing PDR is for estate planning. Easements can reduce land value for tax purposes,
Adobe Stock.
making it easier to transfer land to inheritors without causing massive property taxes. And importantly, inheritors can still farm, live on or enjoy the land. They don’t lose control; they only give up the right to develop. For example, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, over 54,000 acres of farmland have been preserved since 1981 through PDR programs (Lancaster Farmland Trust, 2023). That’s not just a number. It is evidence of how committed communities can be to protecting their agricultural roots.
PDR programs don’t just benefit landowners. PDR programs also serve the larger community. They help preserve local agriculture, protect food sources and support farming economies. They also help manage urban sprawl, reduce infrastructure costs and conserve water, habitats and scenic views. Most important of all, they help maintain the rustic character and heritage of communities. In places like Lexington, Kentucky, where horses and farmland are essential to identity, PDR programs help guarantee that future generations will still see beautiful bluegrass pastures instead of concrete slabs.
As recognized by the National Agricultural Law Center (2022), “PDR programs are a cornerstone of smart growth strategies that balance development with conservation.” That balance is key, especially as cities expand and land becomes more valuable.
There are countless successful examples of this today. In 2020, Gustafson Farm in Connecticut chose to protect 301 acres of orchard and beef farmland through a partnership involving state and federal agencies (Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 2020). The farm continues to operate, and the land remains undeveloped.
In New York, Nassau County purchased development rights to Meyer’s Farm for $4.3 million, allowing the family to continue farming and running a popular farmstand (Newsday, 2023). That investment not only preserved the land but also supported a local business that serves the community.
And in Lexington, Kentucky, the city’s Rural Land Management Program has preserved thousands of acres of farmland, helping maintain the region’s equestrian and agricultural heritage. These examples show that PDR isn’t just a theory. PDR is working in real communities, including ours.
Despite its benefits, PDR programs face many challenges. Funding is often limited and relies on grants, taxes or donations. Not every community has the resources to buy development rights, especially in areas where the cost of land is too high.
Legal complications are another challenge. Conservation easements require careful preparation and long-term attention. Landowners need to understand what they’re agreeing to, and agencies need to verify complete agreement over time.
Participation is voluntary, so landowner interest and trust are essential. Some may worry about losing flexibility or future options. And while land is typically protected by the government, it is not always open to the public. Many communities view PDR as a rewarding investment in their future since it is a way to preserve what makes a place special.
Purchase of Development Rights programs offer a powerful and practical tool for preserving land, protecting natural resources and supporting rural economies. By compensating landowners for development rights while allowing continued use of their property, PDR has created a balance between private ownership and public benefit. As development pressures grow, these programs will have an increasingly crucial role in shaping and maintaining sustainable and adaptable communities. Understanding PDR is essential for anyone invested in preserving and protecting the land and future, no matter if you are a landowner, public official or everyday citizen.
References
American Farmland Trust - Saving the land that sustains us since 1980. (n.d.). American Farmland Trust. https://farmland.org/
Farmland Preservation Overview. (n.d.). CT.gov - Connecticut’s Official State Website. https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/ADaRC/Programs/FarmlandPreservation-Overview
Lancaster Farmland Trust - Protecting the beautiful, productive farmland of Lancaster County. (n.d.). Lancaster Farmland Trust. https:// lancasterfarmlandtrust.org/
LaRocco, P. (2018, July 19). Watch: Visit by air and by foot Nassau’s hidden public spaces. Newsday; Nassau land deals saved acres of pristine property. https://projects.newsday.com/long-island/investigations/nassau-land-deals-preserves/
The National Agricultural Law Center. (n.d.). Nationalaglawcenter.org. https://nationalaglawcenter.org/
Generative AI Statement
I used ChatGPT for this assignment to check my grammar, punctuation and spelling as well as reviewing the overall fluidity of my writing.
Behind the Aids: Are Spurs and Whips Tools or Cruelty in the Horse World?
By Sabrina Mikula
Background
Most of us in the horse world have experienced watching a trainer, professional or another student use aids while riding. We can see them touch the shoulder with a crop, extend the leg with a spur and even, in some cases, use them for harm. These tools were once considered standard in the sport to help train or support the horse. As the equestrian world has become more focused on welfare in recent years, there has been a significant increase in videos, photos and revelations about how these “tools” have actually been used in negative ways. So, many riders ask: are they good or bad? And the answer to that is, both.
The Purpose
In regular training, no matter what discipline, tools are used. There are many different kinds of spurs and whips. They are designed to help the horses in communication, not to harm the animals. These tools support the use of the leg, extend the arm and help guide the horse gently. Spurs provide a slight extra pressure on the leg to help move the horse forward, backward, sideways or for collection and balance.
When given to the right riders, they can be tools to help educate the rider and horse. It can build a better relationship between the horse and rider by making communication more transparent and helping refine the signals the rider sends.
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) emphasizes this topic in its Rulebook, which prohibits cruelty or excessive force toward horses. These rules specify that spurs must be smooth or blunt and that “no whip or crop shall be used excessively, or in any manner that causes the horse undue distress or injury,” (United States Equestrian Federation [USEF], 2024).
Likewise, the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for equestrian sport, regulates whip length and spur type, imposing penalties for visible marks or welts (Fédération Équestre Internationale [FEI], 2023). These rules highlight a core belief: when correctly used, these aids are communication tools, not weapons. Still, not all uses are correct. The line between communication and cruelty can be fragile, and the industry has seen increasing scrutiny of riders who cross it, whether intentionally or through ignorance.
When Tools Are Abused
Misuse often arises when riders depend on physical aids due to frustration or poor training habits. For example, excessive kicking paired with sharp spurs can cause wounds, scarring or behavioral resistance. Similarly, repeated or harsh whipping can cause both physical and psychological harm to the animals. Horses have long memories; they associate pain with particular contexts, leading to anxiety or avoidance behaviors that may persist for life even after consistent training.
Modern technology and social media have amplified this issue. Videos of riders overusing whips or spurs often go viral, sparking public outrage. These incidents place pressure on organizations to strengthen enforcement of welfare rules. After several televised cases of overuse in international show jumping, the FEI introduced stricter stewarding protocols and immediate disqualification for visible whip marks (FEI, 2023).
Equine behaviorists also point out that horses’ skin is far more sensitive than many people realize. Horses can detect a fly landing on their flank, meaning even a light tap of a whip is easily felt. When aids are used harshly, the horse’s response, such as tail swishing, ear pinning or tension, is not “disobedience” but communication of discomfort. Recognizing those signals is crucial to ethical riding and training.
Adobe Stock.
The Welfare Perspective
The welfare conversation extends beyond equipment; it’s about mindset. Equitation science, a field combining behavioral psychology and biomechanics, has reshaped how many trainers and competitors think about training mechanisms. The core principle of effective riding is that it uses the least amount of force possible to achieve a clear cue. The clearer the communication, the less need there is for strong aids.
Organizations like the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) emphasize that training methods should never intentionally cause distress or pain and that riders must consider the horse’s physical and emotional capacity (American Association of Equine Practitioners [AAEP], 2021). This aligns with welfare movements seen in other animal sports, where ethics and transparency are now key to maintaining public trust.
In many barns today, riders are taught to earn a horse’s responsiveness through consistency and timing, not pressure. A correctly timed leg cue followed by a light tap of the whip reinforces the desired behavior without escalation. In the same breath, riders may wear spurs but use them sparingly or as a longer-term training tool. The best trainers argue that spurs and whips should serve as reminders, not motivators. Yet, different types of spurs are more commonly worn if the horse does not respond well to leg pressure. Those spurs are made to be used as an extension and not for speed or harm.
Balancing Ethics and Performance
The conversation becomes complicated in high-performance environments where precision can mean the difference between winning and losing. Many top riders defend the use of these aids when applied with knowledge and skill. In disciplines like dressage or show jumping, horses are athletes conditioned for responsiveness, which means that when handled by skilled riders, the aids can enhance safety and performance. However, this balance depends entirely on education and intent. A well-trained rider uses the lightest possible touch, while an unskilled or impatient one risks crossing over to abuse. That’s why training systems worldwide now emphasize “ethical equitation,” a concept that prioritizes understanding over dominance.
The FEI’s Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse states that “the welfare of the horse must be paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences” (FEI, 2023). This philosophy challenges riders and judges alike to redefine what good riding looks like, calmness, relaxation and partnership, rather than forced obedience.
Welfare reforms don’t seek to eliminate traditional tools but to ensure they are used responsibly. Just as a bit or saddle can cause harm if misused, spurs and whips require respect and restraint. The future of equestrian sport likely lies not in banning these aids but in fostering better rider education and accountability.
A Modern Perspective on Responsibility
At the heart of this debate lies a question of empathy. Horses cannot choose their riders or their sports, but humans can decide how to treat them. Spurs and whips, like many tools, are neither inherently good nor bad; they are reflections of the hands that hold them. When used with skill, they can communicate with clarity and precision. The equine community is gradually embracing this nuance.
Trainers are integrating welfare science into their programs, organizations are enforcing stricter welfare rules and more riders are viewing horses not as machines but as sentient partners. The shift may be slow, but it signals a healthier future for the sport, one where performance and compassion can coexist. In the end, the answer may not be whether spurs and whips are abusive, but whether the people using them truly understand what their horses are saying in return.
(Grammarly and Chat GPT were used for grammar and spelling, along with the titles)
The HYPP Dilemma: Knowingly Breeding HYPP Positive Horses
By Delaney S. Foster
Quarter Horses are one of the most versatile horse breeds in the world, and are used in rodeo, racing, cutting, jumping, dressage, reining, trail riding and many other disciplines.
The Quarter Horse is the most widespread breed in America and has the highest breed association numbers. They come in all different shapes and sizes: from a small and stocky cutting horse to a longer and lankier horse used for English disciplines to, most controversially, big and beefy halter horses.
All of these types of Quarter Horses make sense for the tasks they are bred for, but what’s the purpose of having a halter-bred Quarter Horse?
According to an American Quarter Horse Association Judge’s Guide, the purpose of the halter class is “to preserve the American Quarter Horse type by selecting individuals in the order of their resemblances to the breed ideal” (Heird and Anderson). The breed ideal of AQHA is an iconic image, but over time it has been corrupted by horses who are only somewhat similar to the image, and are selected to have a certain intensely and over exaggerated muscled appearance, which has led to the overbreeding of horses of this type who carry the disease HYPP, or Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis.
So why are horses with this disease still being bred? And how can we encourage breeders to avoid the spread of this disease?
Many equine diseases are manageable, including HYPP, but why is HYPP so dangerous for horses? HYPP is spread through a parent’s genetic mutation, and a horse with one copy of the gene may have less severe symptoms than a horse with two copies of the gene. HYPP only needs one copy to cause a horse to have a number of symptoms including “muscle spasms, loud breathing, weakness, collapse and paralysis” (HYPP Results). The disease brings on episodes of sporadic muscle spasms, caused by disruptions in the muscle’s sodium channels and excess potassium in the blood. This can cause a horse to collapse or become briefly paralyzed, the worst-case being paralysis that can lead to death. Horses that are in the middle of an episode are conscious, and for owners, the disease may go unrecognized or mistaken for a horse choking, tying up, seizing or colicing. However, the disease can be managed, and as long as owners avoid excess stress on the horse, high potassium feeds or rapid changes in their diet, the likelihood of an episode decreases. But this does not protect horses from risk. A horse could collapse without anyone present, for instance caught in their stall, fencing or fall on top of anything that may be in their path.
If the risks are known, why do people still breed them and what is being done to control the spread? To explain, halter horses are not often used for riding, since their muscling is so large it inhibits free flowing movement that would be suitable for riding classes. They are exercised, but mostly on a longe line or through ground exercises to maintain their health. Owners may consider this less dangerous, as there is no risk to themselves if they were to be riding their horse during an episode.
It can also be medicated for, which is helpful to horses when treating the disease.
AQHA does have policies in place to control the breeding of horses with this disease, and has publicized research concerning the likelihood and risks of breeding horses with HYPP.
The AQHA website has provided owners Punnett Squares showing the different pairings between horses with positive and negative diagnoses, and the likelihood of offspring carrying one or two copies of the gene (HYPP Results). AQHA has taken a few measures to combat this issue and has made horses who carry two genes of HYPP ineligible for registration. Adobe Stock.
“HYPP was first identified in AQHA Stallion, Impressive. Any horse that has Impressive bloodlines is required to be tested for HYPP. A horse with two copies of the gene mutation H/H is ineligible for registration” (Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP)). In the same article, AQHA is upfront about the source and percentage of HYPP, and declares that “approximately 4.4% of Quarter Horses are carriers of HYPP, most commonly found in halter horses.”
If AQHA is to stop the spread further, stallions on their registry should be monitored closely for the number of foals being born, and of those, what percentage are HYPP positive. It’s fairly straightforward for breeders to produce Quarter Horses, since the AQHA allows for the shipping of cooled semen and allows use of other technologies such as ICSI and artificial insemination, unlike The Jockey Club, which requires stallions to do live coverings of mares. If AQHA were to limit the shipping of semen, this may slow the spread of HYPP.
Another suggestion could be preventing HYPP positive horses from earning certain achievements, such as preventing them from earning high point awards at the end of shows, becoming ineligible for earning nationwide rankings or preventing them from competing in larger shows such as the AQHA World Championship Show. Since halter horses are purely used for competition, this could greatly alter the HYPP numbers, but not without ruffling the feathers of halter horse breeders.
Every horse breed is more susceptible to certain diseases, but HYPP is a very real and serious threat to the continuation of the American Quarter Horse. There are measures that have been taken to control HYPP, but the disease is still prevalent, and the desire for owners and breeders to create an “aesthetic” horse in the show arena has outweighed the concern of disease. It’s arguable that breeding positively diagnosed halter horses is unethical, and the current standard halter horse has significantly deviated from the “ideal Quarter Horse,” but are still being rewarded by judges in the show ring for over-exaggerated muscling, and weak legs with an illperforming gait. If these halter horses are meant to represent the ideal Quarter Horse, and they are supposed to be the ideal breeding specimens to continue on the breed, AQHA should not be allowing this disease to spread. It needs to take more serious measures into regulating the breeding of horses with HYPP.
References
(2020, April 23). Breeding Responsibly [Review of Breeding Responsibly]. AQHA.com; American Quarter Horse Association. Retrieved from https://www.aqha.com/-/breeding-responsib-1?inheritRedirect=true&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aqha.com%2Fhome%3Fp_p_ id%3Dcom_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dmaximized%26p_p_ mode%3Dview%26_com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet_redirect%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.aqha. com%252Fhome%253Fp_p_id%253Dcom_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet%2526p_p_lifecycle%253D0%2526p_p_ state%253Dnormal%2526p_p_mode%253Dview%26_com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet_mvcPath%3D%252Fsearch. jsp%26_com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet_keywords%3DHYPP%26_com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet_ formDate%3D1759938556870%26_com_liferay_portal_search_web_portlet_SearchPortlet_scope%3Dthis-site
HYPP RESULTS - AQHA. (2024). Aqha.com. Retrieved from https://www.aqha.com/web/aqha/hypp-results?result=NH Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP). (n.d.-a). Retrieved from https://www.aqha.com/hypp
The HYPP Dilemma: Knowingly Breeding HYPP Positive Horses 7 (n.d.). Judging Halter: A Standard of Reference for AQHA Judges (J. Heird & T. Anderson, Eds.) [Review of Judging Halter: A Standard of Reference for AQHA Judges]. Equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu; Colorado State University. Retrieved October 8, 2025, from https://equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AQHAJudging-Halter.pdf?fwd=no
