This message is from: "robin.holl...@murraystate.edu" <robin.holl...@murraystate.edu>
Dear Fjord Digest I am conducting a research study on white markings in the Norwegian Fjord Horse. I am writing this asking for information from Fjord owners, trainers, and/or breeders. PLEASE visit our website: http://www.murraystate.edu/fjord_horse/ On our website we explain in detail the purpose of our study, a basics of genetics, types of white markings, and current work that we have done. We also have a link for a survey. This survey is vital to our work. We ask for participation from any and all Fjord owners, breeders, and/or trainers. For this research, we want to provide to the Fjord as well as entire equine and scientific community the most accurate results as possible, and in order to do so, we need your help. Ideally, we would want to know every single Fjord that does not have white, and every single Fjord that does have white, and a detailed description of the marking(s). We know that this goal is not realistic, but the closer that we can be to reaching this goal, the better and more supported our results will be. Based on the current data of Fjords with and without white markings, we have an idea as to how the markings are inherited, but with missing information, these ideas are not supported as well as they need to be, and may very easily change with accurate information. And how do we obtain this information? Once again, through you. Please visit our website and click on the link "Survey Form" which will open up a blank survey form. Please fill out the survey for not only Fjords that you know of to have white markings, but also those that do not have white. By having confirmations from owners, breeders, and/or trainers that a horse does NOT have white is equally important to knowing that a horse HAS white. So please fill out a survey for any Fjord that you have confidence in in their markings, or lack thereof. You may print the survey, fill it out and mail it to us: Fjord Study Department of Biology Murray State University Murray, KY 42071 fax it to us: 270-809-2788 or scan it and email it to us: everett.we...@murraystate.edu or robin.holl...@murraystate.edu We truly appreciate any information you can provide us with. This research is NOT meant to be in support or oppose white markings in the Fjord horse, it is purely for research. White markings occur in other breeds and species of animals, and the more we know about how different traits are inherited, whether they be unusual markings, colors, diseases or deformities, the better our understanding of genetics will be. We have conducted a thorough scientific literature review, from genetics of coat color to pedigree analysis to molecular genetic testing. We have applied for a grant through Murray State University and are awaiting results. It is our goal, when our study is completed, to know how white markings are inherited, and which bloodlines they originated in. Our results will be published as a scholarly peer-reviewed scientific article and we will present our findings at regional and national Fjord horse, other equine, and scientific meetings. If you have ANY questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact either myself (robin.holl...@murraystate.edu) or Dr. Everett Weber (everett.we...@murraystate.edu) and we will be more than happy to help in any way possible. Thank you! Robin L Holland 8510 Springer Hall Murray KY 42071 815/858-4042 Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
