This year has been an exciting one for Arabian horse owners. Not only has the genetic mutation for lavender foal syndrome (LFS) been determined, a test that can identify affected foals and horses that carry the gene for the disease has been developed.

Lavender foal syndrome is a heritable and fatal neurologic disease that is primarily found in Egyptian Arabians. Affected foals have a characteristic soft lavender, pale pink, or silvery coat color.

Even though LFS is not particularly common, it is important because carriers appear normal, and 100% of affected foals either die or are euthanized shortly after birth.

Based on research performed by Samantha Brooks, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University, and colleagues, a mutation in a particular region of the gene called myosin Va (MYO5A) is responsible for LFS