Understanding DNA Matching
How DNA matching works
Our DNA Database compares your horse’s DNA to thousands of stored profiles. The database identifies potential parent-offspring relationships and other genetic links between horses.
Every horse inherits half of its DNA from each parent. By analyzing DNA markers, we can determine genetic relationships.
A full match on 17 markers suggests a strong parent-offspring connection. A match on 16 markers is highly significant but does not guarantee parentage with certainty. Matches on 15 markers or fewer may indicate more distant relatives, such as siblings or grandparents, or they can mean nothing.
If no match is found, this information can still be useful in excluding certain bloodlines, which can help with breeding decisions. You will also be notified if a match appears in the future.
For official studbook updates, a certified lab test is required. Our search results help guide you in finding the right horses for further verification.
Where to get a DNA profile?
If your horse does not already have a DNA profile, you can have one created at a certified laboratory of your choice. Equine genetics labs offer DNA profiling services that provide a unique genetic identification code for your horse.
How to Get a DNA Profile
Choose a certified lab that provides equine DNA profiling. Order a DNA profile test, and the lab will provide instructions on how to collect and submit a hair sample. Once the DNA profile is ready, you will receive a report containing the DNA markers. This profile can then be submitted to our database for comparison against existing profiles.
Laboratories Offering DNA Profiling
Several reputable laboratories provide equine DNA profiling, including Animal Genetics and the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. You may also check for local equine DNA testing providers.
The DNA Database for Gypsy Horses does not create DNA profiles. We compare existing profiles in our database. If a profile is needed, please contact a certified laboratory before submitting your horse’s DNA.
DNA profiles may vary in format depending on the laboratory that generated them. However, all profiles contain genetic markers represented by specific letter combinations.
For a DNA comparison to be conducted, the profile must include the following markers:
- VHL20
- HTG6
- ASB2
- HMS2
- CA425
- HTG4
- AHT5
- HTG10
- ASB17
- AHT4
- HMS6
- HTG7
- LEX3
- HMS7
- ASB23
- HMS3
- HMS1
Example of a DNA profile
What you receive with a DNA Search Results Report
When you order a DNA Search Results Report, you will receive a detailed overview of the closest matches to your horse within our database. This report includes all relevant genetic connections, along with any additional background information available on the matched horses.
The results can help you explore potential parentage or offspring. If you wish to confirm parentage through an official verification test, we can assist you in the process. In most cases, we can provide your chosen laboratory with the DNA profile of the horse you need for comparison.
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