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DSLD, In Perspective
By: Raul Risso. Updated, April, 2002
This subject is brought up again and again with no simple answers. The proposed genetic research in order to isolate a gene that supposedly causes this defect has yet to be conducted. The logistics involved in getting the material and finances to investigate are hard to assess. I know of those who are trying and working at it. We wish them success!
In the meantime, as far as I am involved in breeding Peruvians I do have a prescription.
1) Our breed’s best horses have “pisos” a unique extended four beat lateral gait that demands a great exertion of their muscular and skeleton apparatus. Far more than any other paso breed and certainly the trotters.
2) As such, they need a particular rear end conformation geared towards this function, with a strong loin area and a long inclined croup with correlation of correct angles at the rear limbs especially at the stifle and the hocks. (slightly sickled) Therefore, when standing still they should look a bit camped under. Most importantly, the pasterns should be springy and of medium length.
3) Contrarily “post legged” horses that lack the described angulations along with long “sinky” pasterns have a deadly combination. These types of individuals mostly sooner than later, end up with DSLD.
4) Some members in just about all of the breed’s best families carry one or more defects of this sort. In our relatively small breed linebreeding and inbreeding has contributed to exacerbate such defects.
5) Worldwide, due to awareness amongst educated people; the problem has decreased. Breeders are studying their pedigrees and, out crossing to stallions (not only strong but altogether good) that are known not to pass these faults.
6) Nevertheless the quality of a herd sometimes demands that you use a few chosen of these defective ones (females only) for reproduction by breeding them away from the problems, one generation after the other. But, as is a rule in genetics; these defects can be passed on to the next generations. Such defects are identifiable soon after birth. A true breeder gives them away to be raised as pets, donates them for research or plainly culls them objective and mercilessly.
7) In general, because of concern, as we follow these basic procedures, one generation after another; our breed is bound to have less and less cases of DSLD.
8) A note of caution. There are a lot of strong horses and, yes registered in our breed; that will get you rid of these defects. But beware, some of those are simple gaited like any ordinary paso with no pisos, insignificant; no longer and never again a true Peruvian. Because, as I have stated before, genetically, a trot dominates an ambler, an ambler dominates a paso, and paso dominates pisos. We Peruvian breeders have a unique horse primarily, on account of it’s
pisos.
Here in the USA people are used to quick answers and problems solved immediately. Even if the genetic marker is found, there will be along road ahead. No solution will be permanent, simple or; easy to deal with.
