Hoof wall separation disease (HWSD)
Summary
Hoof wall separation disease (HWSD) is an inherited disorder that has been found in Connemara ponies. In ponies affected by HWSD the hoof wall separates from the internal structures of the foot and breaks. Without a strong hoof wall, the weight of the pony goes disproportionately through the sole of the foot. This can cause lameness. Signs of HWSD are not present at birth but usually start at less than six months of age.
HWSD 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 HWSD mutation from both its sire and its dam to be affected.
Gene or region and technical reference
Gene: SERPINB11 (causative). Reference: Finno et al. (2017)
Reported alleles
n. Test developed using manufactured DNA, animal controls.
HWSD. Test developed using manufactured DNA, animal cases.
Panels: groups of tests that are often ordered together
This test is not in any panels.
HWSD affects all four feet. In affected ponies the hoof wall separates easily from the underlying structures of the foot.
