Tobiano
The Tobiano coat pattern is a highly desirable trait seen across a variety of horse breeds and types. The dominant Tobiano gene causes loss of pigment leading to large white markings in certain defined areas or the horse. In the United Kingdom, Tobiano horses are often referred to as 'coloured' and are often purpose bred for this trait.
Tobiano has the same effect on any base colour, the following terminology defines the various types of Tobiano specimens:
Piebald: A Black & White Tobiano Horse.
Skewbald: Any other base colour modified by Tobiano, such as Chestnut Tobiano.
Tri-Coloured: Bay-based Tobiano horse, 'tri-coloured' refers to the three obvious colours on the horses body -white (from the Tobiano) Brown (Bay) and often Black patches are present also.
Since Tobiano is a dominant gene, only one inherited copy is required for a horse to display Tobiano markings.
Results designation:
There are three potential outcomes to the Tobiano Genetic Test:
Tobiano Negative: Non-Tobiano
Tobiano Heterozygous: Displays Tobiano Markings, carries one copy of Tobiano gene. Can produce both Tobiano, and non-Tobiano foals.
Tobiano Homozygous: Carries two copies of Tobiano, will always produce Tobiano offspring when bred.
For breeding purposes, Tobiano Homozygous horses are highly desirable as they are guaranteed to produce Tobiano foals regardless of their mate.
Since Tobiano is only responsible for the White markings of a 'coloured' horse, the test does not determine the horse's base-colour. This is determined using the Red/Black Factor test, the two tests in conjunction not only verify the likelihood of Tobiano being passed to foals, but also the likelihood the foals will be Piebald or Skewbald.
Pricing: £20.00 per test (inclusive of tax, certification included free of charge)
Turnaround time: 5-7 business days.
Results: Phoned, faxed or e-mailed. Testing certificate dispatched after conclusion of test.
