What is Fell Pony Foal Syndrome and how will it affect my pony/breeding program?
The Fell Pony Foal Syndrome expresses itself outwardly in foals at around around three weeks of age. It is a disease that severely compromises the immune system and affected foals die of pneumonia or another viral disease within the first few months of life. The veterinarians in England who are researching the disease have given their opinion that it is a recessive genetic disorder. This means that a pony can carry the gene for the disease, and not become sick from it. So, if you have an adult pony, he’s out of danger. However, if it is bred to another pony carrying the FPFS gene, the chances of their foal dying of the disease are 1 in 4. There are 2 in 4 chances that their foal could simply be another carrier. There is a 1 in 4 chance that their foal be “clear” of the affliction and as a carrier meaning it will not carry the gene and will never produce a foal that dies of the Syndrome. So there are 3 chances out of 4 that a foal will live. This is the same chance for every breeding fr
