AQHA HYPP Rule Changes

To:  American Quarter Horse Association

AQHA's HYPP FACT SHEET
• Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is an inherited disease that leads to uncontrolled muscle twitching or profound muscle weakness, and in severe cases, may lead to collapse and/or death.
• HYPP is listed as a genetic defect in AQHA's rules, along with Parrot Mouth and Cryptorchid conditions.
• To date, HYPP only has been traced to descendants of IMPRESSIVE, #0767246.
• Having negative (N/N) results on file may prevent a horse's offspring from being tested.
• Foals born in 1998 and later and tracing to IMPRESSIVE will have a statement placed on their Certificates of Registration that recommends testing for the condition unless test results indicating the foal is negative (N/N) are on file with AQHA.
• AQHA will test any foals who are required to be parentage verified and who trace to IMPRESSIVE for HYPP prior to them being registered. This testing will be performed with the same DNA sample submitted to the laboratory for parentage verification.
• AQHA will accept HYPP test results only if performed through a licensed laboratory. These currently include: University of California at Davis, Shelterwood Laboratory, Mann Equitest Lab in Guelph, Ontario, Vita-Tech Canada Inc., Markham, Ontario and NSW Agriculture. Other laboratories are in the process of being licensed.
• Possible results of HYPP testing are N/N, N/H and H/H.
HYPP is inherited as a dominant trait, which means a heterozygous (N/H) stallion or mare bred to a normal (N/N) horse will result in approximately half of the offspring being affected and half being normal. The rare homozygote (H/H) usually is severely affected with the disease and will pass the gene to its offspring 100 percent of the time.
•HYPP can be treated through diet and medication in most cases.

October 17, 2003; letter from AQHA President Steve Stevens:
HYPP
The next important topic relates to Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP). The stud book and registration committee has asked the executive committee to obtain input from the membership regarding this important matter that will appear on their agenda at the Reno convention in March 2004. The proposal is as follows:
1. Rule 227 will be amended making foals of calendar year 2006 and after ineligible for registration if they are descendants of the stallion Impressive, AQHA Number 0767246, and found to be HYPP positive (H/H).
2. Additionally, Rule 227 will be amended to provide that foals of 2010 and later that are found to be HYPP (N/H) will only be eligible for registration as geldings or non-breeding mares.
Again, make your elected representatives and AQHA staff aware of your feeling regarding this issue.


November 12, 2003; letter from AQHA President Steve Stevens:
……..a halter task force met with a subcommittee of the stud book and registration committee and with the executive committee. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposals that the stud book and registration committee made in October relating to HYPP.
We received a substantial amount of input from our membership. This process has been excellent, and we look forward to discussing other matters of importance with you.
Based on this discussion, the subcommittee will recommend the following to the entire stud book and registration committee during the 2004 AQHA Convention in Reno:
1) Foals of 2006 and later tracing to the stallion Impressive will be required to be parentage verified and tested for HYPP.
2) Foals of 2006 and later testing positive for HYPP (H/H) will not be eligible for registration with AQHA.
3) Foals of 2024 and later testing positive for HYPP (N/H) will not be eligible for registration with AQHA.
In addition, the subcommittee supported a recommendation made by the executive committee to commence an education and awareness campaign informing the membership of the effects of HYPP.
I hope our members believe this to be a workable solution to this long-standing matter of importance to our Association. If passed at the convention, this resolution should ultimately eliminate the problems associated with HYPP, while being fair and equitable to our members who presently own these horses.
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For further information on HYPP, please visit our website at http://www.nnalliance.org
The N/N Alliance is for owners and breeders of Impressive and non-Impressive bloodlines in the popular stock horse breeds: AQHA, APHA, ApHC, ApHCC, and PHBA. This group is formed to organize an alliance of breeders willing to advertise, promote, breed and market HYPP N/N horses, during this transition time of eradicating a genetic defect called HYPP (Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis) in AQHA registered horses.

This group is formed to send a strong message to the governing industries that a speedy end to the genetic defect called HYPP must be legislated and regulated.

The N/N Alliance purpose is to promote the October 17, 2003 recommendation by AQHA Studbook & Registration Committee:

1. Rule 227 will be amended making foals of calendar year 2006 and after ineligible for registration if they are descendants of the stallion Impressive, AQHA Number 0767246, and found to be HYPP positive (H/H).

2. Additionally, Rule 227 will be amended to provide that foals of 2010 and later that are found to be HYPP (N/H) will only be eligible for registration as geldings or non- breeding mares.



PETITION

ATTN: AQHA Board of Directors:
We, the undersigned, are AQHA members in good standing. We represent a wide range of economic, educational, political, social, and religious backgrounds. In spite of this, we have one thing in common. We care about the American Quarter Horse. We feel that it is necessary for the American Quarter Horse Association to uphold their mission statement and protect “the integrity of the breed.” Because of this, we urge AQHA to adopt the first HYPP proposal as published in the QH Journal, December, 2003; and America’s Horse, November/December, 2003. We believe that 2010 give ample time for the industry to deal with HYPP in our chosen and cherished breed. Also, we applaud President Steve Stevens and the Studbook and Registration Committee for taking the initiative on this important subject.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The AQHA HYPP Rule Changes Petition to American Quarter Horse Association was created by Members of the American Quarter Horse Association and written by Vicki Hittson.  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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