Fell Foal Syndrome

During the early 80’s it became increasingly apparent that newly born foals were dying in increasing numbers from an unknown disease for which traditional and conventional medicines were having no effect. After a series of postmortem examinations it was concluded that the problem was probably genetic in origin.

Fell Pony 2000 is a registered UK charity, composed of Fell Pony Society members and others who are interested in improving the welfare and relieving the distress to Fell ponies caused by this syndrome. We have raised awareness throughout the equine community, supported and contributed to the scientific research activity both financially and through the organisation of blood-sampling and collected breeding data etc. We have also disseminated information on the syndrome and progress with the research activity across the globe.

So what is the nature of the Syndrome? It is a condition that compromises the immune system of Fell ponies, i.e. foals are born and do not develop an immune system. Some indicators could be a) reduced fecundity in mares, b) increased morbidity and mortality and c) although normal at birth, susceptibility of foals to opportunistic infections and anaemia. Having no resistance to infection foals die a distressing and painful death after a few short weeks of life.

The only means of eradication of a genetic problem lies in the application of careful, managed breeding. Genetic disorders are not uncommon and precedents for a managed breeding approach have been seen in other animal breeds and have been accomplished successfully.

Let us assume that we are only looking at the genetic component related to the Fell Foal Syndrome. We shall ignore the rest.

The following diagram describes two parents, where both of the parents have a dominant "D" and a recessive "d" genetic component, i.e. two ‘carriers’ of the recessive gene.

The genetic make up of the offspring is composed of one of the four possibilities shown i.e. "DD", "Dd", "dD" and "dd". These combinations occur entirely at random each time a foal is conceived and are not predictable. If we assume that the genetic component producing the Fell Foal Syndrome is recessive in character we can see that three out of the four possible combinations in the offspring will carry the recessive component i.e. the animals are "Carriers". One of the possible combinations does not contain the recessive component and is completely "Clear" and another possible combination is made up entirely of recessive components. This animal is a "Syndrome" animal and will die.

It is perhaps easy to see now, why some breeders appear to have very few or no syndrome problems yet others suffer repeated problems when both breeders could have the same proportion of "Carrier" animals in their respective breeding stocks.

Our understanding of the projections for the distribution of ‘carrier’ ponies within the breed is in the order of 60 - 90%. The scientists tell us that if there are 10 - 20% ‘Syndrome’ foals born per year, there would be expected to be a ‘carrier population of the this order.

We can also conclude from our studies that the abnormal gene must have been present in the breed for an extensive period of time and in a significant proportion of ponies before small quantities of syndrome foals began to appear.

If this is so, it is conceivable that the abnormal gene is present to some extent or other in just about every Fell pony breed line.

It can be seen therefore, why it is essential that a "Carrier" test, i.e. one that will identify ponies that carry the abnormal gene, be developed as a matter of priority.

This is indeed the current major focus of the fundraising sponsored by our charity – Fell Pony 2000.

Dr Carter, leader of the Syndrome research team, reported the following to the Fell Pony Society AGM held in Cumbria on 1st April 2000.

Our research at Liverpool University this year consists of two major projects. One is the continuing work aimed at finding a genetic difference between normal and affected foals and thus being able to produce a working carrier test. The second is centered on the examination of bone marrow and attempts to discover why anaemia and immunodefficiency occur. Following on from the bone marrow work, we may be able to evaluate any possible treatment regimes.

It seems that while syndrome foals are obtaining antibodies from their mothers in the milk and colostrum they are able to fight off most infections. However, once the maternal protection has gone the affected foals begin to deteriorate.

We are inviting approximately six in-foal mares to the University this year to observe and collect samples from the mares and newborn foals throughout the first few weeks of life. This may give us vital clues as to what is happening within the foal to cause its immune system to fail. Having the mare at hand also gives us the opportunity to assess her immune status in relation to the foal.

As in previous years, we are still looking to collect blood from every foal. These blood samples are the ones we are using to develop the carrier test and the more we have the more likely we are to develop an accurate test.

We are also interested in collecting samples from any foals that have died or been put to sleep because of the syndrome. Our main interest is in collecting bone marrow so that we can grow it and compare it to normal bone marrow. In order to do this we need to be able to sample a foal within a few hours of its death.

If you have a very sick foal that is going to be put to sleep or has died recently, please do not let it go to waste.

As you know, attempts to treat Fell pony foals have not been very successful. However, we are aware that a number of drugs have been tried recently. We would like to know of any successes in this area with a view to eventually performing trials on potentially useful drugs.

You can contact us at the University of Liverpool by Telephone -+44 (0)151 794 4209 (office hours) or by Fax on +44 (0)151 794 4219

Dr Carter also reported that Paul May, a leading Fell Pony Field Veterinary Surgeon in Cumbria, was to launch a controlled experiment with a possible treatment for syndrome ponies this season.

In very limited trials last year, Paul May suspects that he has had some success in being able to counter the effects of the syndrome in sick foals.

Dr Carter reminded fell pony breeders that this would be a treatment only and not a cure. There is a very important distinction between these two states. A treatment will relieve the symptoms but in the case of a genetic disorder, such as the Fell Foal Syndrome, it will not replace or correct the affected gene. Dr Carter pointed out that if animals treated in this way are entered into the breeding programme, a far worse situation could develop for the production of carrier and/or syndrome foals. Because the treated pony will carry a double recessive gene, all its offspring will be at least "carriers" and if mated with another "Carrier", all the offspring will be affected, with a 50% probability of further syndrome foals.

However, on the brighter side, if the treatment is successful, it does mean that any syndrome foal that is born could be treated and not die.

The question that must be addressed now that the scientific work is progressing well and the likelihood of a ‘Carrier’ test becomes ever more imminent, is what should we do when the test does become available. Perhaps more importantly, what should we be doing now in preparation for this event? What should we expect the Fell Pony Society council itself to be doing at this stage?

Remember. Carrier ponies are only of concern if they are to enter the breeding chain. Carrier ponies are perfectly normal and have the same characteristics as any other non-carrier ponies and can be loved and enjoyed like all others. Only when used for breeding will the consequences of the carrier status be of concern.

Once the ability to identify carrier ponies becomes available it is conceivable that owners, breeders and potential purchasers of ponies will want to understand the genetic status of their ponies.

Breeders may well decide to avoid breeding with "Carrier" animals in order to reduce their personal risk of producing a "Syndrome" foal. The number and quality of stallions available for breeding could reduce.

Without information and education, breeders may follow their own unsupported directions with their personal breeding policy and there could be reduced outlets for the sale of "Non-tested" ponies and ponies identified as ‘Carriers’.

What would be the Consequences?

The potential for the loss of breed lines becomes a real possibility.

There is a real possibility for a downgrading of the quality and conformation of Fell ponies.

There is the ever-present risk of further narrowing the gene pool and marginalising the breed in the market place.

What must the Fell Pony Society do?

In these circumstances it is vital that the Fell Pony Society council gives the leadership that the situation warrants. These potential human reactions, which we have described above, ought not to be ignored. The general membership of the Fell Pony Society must be fully educated and supported with all the necessary help and advice in how best to avoid these consequences. The council must look to the future and have a long-term strategy to ensure that the syndrome is effectively eradicated from the breed and the characteristics of the Fell pony as we know it, are preserved.

What are the Challenges?

a) Breeding Options:

Those breeding options that do not infringe the freedom of the individual breeder but address his concerns; these concerns may be potentially different between the larger volume breeders and the smaller distributed breeder.

b) Breeding:

Breeding must not be restrictive. An acceptable way of managing the activity must be found that does not impair the breeder’s freedom of action. However it must not at the same time give any opportunity for the abnormal gene to proliferate further.

c) Breed Lines and Breeders:

Breeding must be encouraged in a way that does not allow the elimination of established breed lines and by default, the incomes and reputation of the established breeders. The future of the Fell Pony Society and the Fell pony breed is strongly associated with this challenge.

d) Addressing the Current "Carrier" Population:

It will be difficult to imagine breeding recommendations/options in an environment where the initial "Carrier" population is at or near saturation. Some of the initial options open to breeders may be restricted to "Carrier" to "Carrier" breeding combinations before a reduction in the "Carrier" numbers begins to be observed.

e) Confidentiality:

This continues to be an issue, with potential breeders wanting to know the carrier status of intended matings and owners being sensitive to public knowledge of the same. It is difficult to imagine in such a small society, how confidentiality could be maintained or whether it is indeed necessary if we are projecting that all breed lines are affected. It becomes less of an issue when breeders understand the factors surrounding the use of carrier ponies in their breeding programmes.

1."Carrier" pony numbers within the Fell pony breeding population are at or near saturation levels.

2.The Fell Pony Foal Syndrome has probably been with the Fell pony breed for a period in excess of the breeding lifetime of any of today’s breeders.

3.The numbers and projected distribution of "Carrier" ponies is such that no one breed line is envisaged as being entirely clear of the abnormal gene.

4.The future of the Fell pony and the preservation of its old and established breed lines is dependant upon all owners and breeders of Fell ponies having the fullest understanding of the Fell Foal Syndrome and the way that it is spread throughout the breed. All of us must have the fullest understanding of the consequences of any "Carrier" knowledge gained.

5.The future of the Fell pony will ultimately depend upon the willingness of breeders in their exercise of freedom of choice in the selection of breeding options, to breed with "Carrier" stock on one side of the breeding combination.

6. In order to prevent the abnormal gene from passing through to future pony generations undetected, a secure administrative regime for the management and identification of the "Carrier" stock will have to be put in place. The Fell Pony Society council is the only body empowered and able to do this.

Over the last two years we have all worked hard in supporting our common desire to see a resolution to the Fell Foal Syndrome. As Fell Pony 2000 moves into its last year, it is anxious to place its impartiality and its accumulated skills and knowledge at the disposal of the Fell Pony Society in order to enable the successful implementation of an education programme and breeding strategy.

Our motivation is securely rooted in the enhancement of the welfare of the Fell pony and this has governed all our decisions throughout the life of our charity.

We hope that in reading this article you will have appreciated that the timing for the remaining actions is critical. The solution is well in sight and we must not be deflected or give up now.

We must all work together, all of us, to effect a good resolution to the syndrome problem. We have all been affected to some degree or other and no one is to blame. We are all inheritors of this problem, not the initiators, but we are the ones that are entrusted with its cure. We must therefore become stakeholders in a successful solution and play our part to support our council with the difficult task that lies ahead of them.

In the first year of our existence magnificent financial support was given to the charity and we must do the same this year. We need the "Carrier" identification test, we will have it researched and made available to us, but we must raise the £20,000 ($30,000+) necessary for its development.

Once again, let us take the opportunity of thanking all of you for your continuing support. The many telephone calls and correspondence that we receive each week is very much appreciated and is a constant spur to us.

At the Spring AGM of the Fell Pony Society, held 1st April 2000, Mr. D.Brunt on behalf of Fell Pony 2000 and many Fell Pony Society members expressed concern to the approach being taken by the FPS council in resolving the Fell Foal Syndrome dilemma.

No details of the programme to be followed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, (the council’s option for dealing with the syndrome issue), have yet been given to the Society members. Mr. Brunt expressed concern that the understanding of most Society members, of the approach being taken by the council, was that it appeared vague. As no justification or details had been given to members by the council’s representative, other than generalised objectives and intentions, he concluded that the Society was committing itself to the unknown.

He stressed that the Fell pony breeders and members need to be informed and guided on how the FPS Council is intending to address the complex issues. That is, those issues surrounding the Society’s decisions on how to implement a resolution programme, that will preserve the Fell Pony, as we know it, into the future. This will of course, include the contribution that the Rare Breeds Survival Trust intended to make. That the RBST was a well-respected charity and had invaluable experience that was essential to the eradication programme, was not questioned.

He concluded that the Fell Pony Society council appeared to have abdicated its total responsibilities to an outside third party for what everyone agreed in 1999 was the most important issue facing the Society,

Mr. Brunt stated that he was worried that a "Carrier" test for identifying ponies carrying the abnormal gene, could be available at any time. Our Pony breeders would not have had the chance to benefit from any advice or education on the impacts of its implementation and use, before it was available to them. He asked how it could be justified to wait until a test was available before action was taken and he questioned that it surely made sense to be prepared.

Mr. Brunt stated that this meeting was the second or third meeting he had attended to hear that no tangible progress was being achieved.

He stated that Fell Pony 2000 and Society members were becoming frustrated and not a little intolerant of the council’s performance on this matter. He went on to ask that the newly elected Fell Pony Society council review the way they are approaching the resolving of the Fell Foal Syndrome.

Secretary – Fell Pony 2000

Nature of the Syndrome

What are the genetics in this case?

Current progress of research

Impacts and consequences

What would be the consequences?

What must the Fell Pony Society do?

What are the challenges?

Summary

Conclusions

What is the current direction?