Calvin's History and DNA Testing Results!!!

Texas A&M offers equine genetic testing that can identify the major breeds present in any horse, including mustangs. When I found out it was only $35, I jumped at the opportunity! So I went to the barn, pulled about 15 mane hairs (follicle has to be attached), mailed it off, and waited patiently for three weeks. Since Mustangs are mutts of the horse world, whatever breeds present vary so much from horse to horse. Needless to say, I was really excited to find out what kind of horsey genetic cocktail Calvin was given. I was pretty shocked at what was found!

However, before I get into the breeds present in Calvin's genetics, I need to give a little background on where he is from. Even though Calvin was born in the BLM holding facility, his parents roamed free in the wild. They came from the area known as "Twin Peaks HMA" (herd management area) which comprises of a little under 800,000 acres in Northern CA/Nevada.

Depending on the year, there are 400-750 horses present on this land. While mustangs descended from the Spanish, today this area has more US army cavalry horses released during World War I, but there is also influence from ranch horses and draft horses as well.

With this in mind, we look at the DNA results:

 Calvin's conformation shot from May 2015, 4 years old.

1) Quarter Horse 2) Morgan/Saddlebred 3) British Warmblood

Under Saddle

Breed #1: Quarter Horse

They got their name from being able to outrun any horse under 1/4 mile. The most popular American horse breed today! Used frequently in Western settings from rodeos, to working cows, to English disciplines.

No surprise there, probably some ranch horses that got loose or were let free in the area. This could explain his mellow personality and lack of fear on the trails.

Breed #2: Morgan/American Saddlebred

Morgans are one of the earliest breeds in America and were used during the civil war. They are known for their courage, intelligence, and overall good temperament. The Saddlebred includes the Morgan in its anscestry, but they have more gaited influence.

Morgan

Morgan stallion                                                                              Saddlebred

My first guess was that Calvin had Morgan horse in him. The top picture is such a striking resemblance to Calvin. Those expressive ears and body type seem pretty spot-on. I don't think Calvin has saddlebred specifically, I don't think he looks anything visually like a saddlebred, nor is he gaited. 

Breed #3: British Warmblood

Warmblood is a term used to describe a medium weight horse that is a mix of "hot" horse (thoroughbred, arab, etc.) and "cold" (draft). Now google kind of failed me on what the heck a "British" warmblood is, but to the best of my understanding it sounds like a mix of other European warmbloods and born in Britain. 

 Regardless, I was completely shocked to see any Warmblood in Calvin. But perhaps that's where his ability to jump out of pens came from!  

So there you have it, a very strange mix of horses that produced the puppy horse I have today. How awesome is science?