A compilation of frequently asked questions about breeding with frozen semen.
Category Archives: Breeding
Brazil Trip 2017
We have plans to go to the National Show in July and to visit some Marchador horse breeding farms while we are there. We go to learn more about the breed, the training, the genetics and the philosophies from the breeders and trainers there. But, our goal is always to find and import new genetics to the U.S. for our continued improvement and diversity here. Most often, this is by importing frozen semen.
So, even before we go, we can start the photo album of some of the Marchador horses and farms that we expect to see.
Welcome to the World – Leia do Summerwind!
Born April 1st, 2017, the much awaited and anticipated foal of Arun de Maripa x Azenha de Maripa, arrived. And it’s a GIRL! LEIA! We are overjoyed!
A beautiful and correct filly, she is a pure Maripa, a bloodline is a mix of Abaiba, Bela Cruz and Herdade. In the sire, Arun de Maripa is also added Favacho and Tabatinga blood from his ELITE sire Favacho Diamante. It is a wonderful blend!
Named Leia do Summerwind by the Future Foal breeders, Elizabeth and DJ Sims of Silver Stables Marchadors in Phoenix AZ. They also own Jedi-Knight do Summerwind and now Leia, along with Gralha M.U.G., provide them the foundation for their breeding program and she stays part of the FUTURE FOAL network.
Arun de Maripa (imported frozen semen) has sired one other filly in CA named Gemini do Dreamcatcher.
Azenha de Maripa has produced 4 offspring – in Canada, Beethoven do Summerwind (x La Paz Jivago), in AZ, Hawke do Summewind ( x Ximoio de Maripa), in UT, Hemingway do Summerwind (x La Paz Jivago) and now in AZ, Leia do Summerwind (x Arun de Maripa.
Pictures of Leia from Day 1 to 2 weeks! Enjoy!
2017 Import Dreams
2017 import dreams – they would make for a Happy New Year!
We love the stallions in our frozen sperm bank – stallion in a box we call them! They are producing quality foals with gait, beauty, and temperament. Agro Maripa is one of the foundations for our breeding program.
But, we have always said one of our goals was to add new bloodlines to increase and improve the genetic diversity here in North America. Only about 70 horses were imported from Brazil to North America. We need new blood to continue to grow the Mangalarga Marchador breed here.
With our semen importation program, we have imported 5 stallions frozen semen. They are producing great foals – Arun de Maripa, Fole de Maripa, Oma de Maripa, Talisma Kafe and Ximoio de Maripa. In addition, we have our SW stallions here: La Paz Jivago and Hawke do Summerwind (pure Maripa). You can also check out their offspring if you click on the links for the stallions.
In 2017, we hope to add another 5 more to the breeding choices.
For the Bahia stallions, it’s been almost 5 years in the making. Fingers crossed that we will be successful! More details, photos and videos after we get the shipment here.
The 2017 Imports – Frozen Semen
Bronze de Rio Grande – New bloodlines: D2 and Serta
Carnaval Sao Lourenco – almost pure JB, with some Herdade and Tabatinga.
Kamikaze E.A.O. – JB, Ogar and Abaiba blood.
Violeiro do Riomar – New bloodlines: Escandinha, Santa Lucia, Kitanda. We rode this stallion in Bahia 5 years ago! Lovely!
MM DNA Testing!
Summerwind Marchadors has the DNA results for most of our Marchadors! Fascinating!
Our DNA – genetic analysis was done by Heather Holl, of Etalon Diagnostics Lab, CA who was looking for more samples for her study to develop a new genetic test to prove parentage. Along with contributing to her research project, we got a full report on each horse. It is exciting!
From a breeding standpoint, we can report now on many of our Marchadors characteristics!
- Disease information – All our Summerwind Marchadors are free of genetic defects that are known in other breeds. (lavendar foal syndrome, SCID, etc). For more information on known genetic diseases, please visit http://www.etalondx.com/horse-health-genetics
- Detailed color information For information on how to read color genes, please visit http://www.etalondx.com/horse-genes-color
- Performance Traits – Very recent studies. For more information on this, please visit http://www.etalondx.com/performance
Of particular interest to us is the “gait” gene DMRT3. This is one of the genes identified that is involved with horses that gait laterally. However, it does not perfectly describe horses that possess a diagonal gait. Indeed some of best horses do not display this gene. Additionally, this DMRT3 gene has been found in trotting horse breeds. So, current thinking is that perhaps this gene describes a horse that would rather stay in gait instead of transitioning up into canter, which is why now, it is sometimes described as “loss of canter”.
Because DMRT3 is not “THE gait gene” as so many describe it, Summerwind Marchadors is also supporting the Equine Genetics Research lab at UF, Gainesville. This project is headed by Dr. Laura Patterson Rosa, testing for gait gene secrets in OUR Marchador breed. For more information or to contribute to their research, follow this link: http://www.neighdna.com/gait.html
We will start adding this information to our horse’s pages on the website, but here is the summary report on John’s gelding Artemis do Summerwind, as an example of the information we have now on every horse.
Genetic Profile Test Results Horse: Artemis Do Summerwind Owner: John Kelley
Disease: NONE
Color: Aa, ee, G/n, nd1/nd2, W20/n
Traits: GG (curiousity), TT (Endurance Type), DMRT3/DMRT3
Disease: Artemis Do Summerwind has not tested positive for any recessive disease alleles on this panel.
A new discovery test for West Nile indicates he may be more susceptible to West Nile. A new discovery test for a Subfertility gene indicates 2 alleles are present. In male horses, 4 alleles present may mean they have lower rates of foal production.
Coat Color: Artemis Do Summerwind has two Red alleles and no Black, indicating his base coat color appears Red. One copy of the Dominant Agouti allele was detected; invisible on a Red base (it pushes/restricts Black out to points; legs, ear tips, etc. appearing Bay). One Grey allele was detected which may result in greying of the entire coat (possibly appearing White at maturity). One Dominant White 20 allele was also detected which may result in White markings.
His DNA also tested on a discovery platform to indicate he is heterozygous for non-Dun pimitive markings and there may pass it 50% to his offspring.
As a result of the allele count in each of the following, he has a minimum 100% chance of passing Red and 50% Dominant Agouti and 50% Grey and/or Dominant White 20 to any offspring.
His DNA also tested on a discovery platform to indicate he is heterozygous for non-Dun pimitive markings and there may pass it 50% to his offspring.
Traits: Artemis testing has indicated the presence of 2 DMRT3 alleles and he may therefore, pass it 100% to his offspring. 2 Curiosity genes (100%) were detected. He is likely more curious than vigilant. 2 Endurance alleles (100%) were detected; he is likely more distance than Sprint.
