Horse owners to join the largest equine DNA search in history

An international appeal to horse owners
This is your chance to be part of unprecedented international alliance of equestrian, cultural and scientific co-operation working to construct the first uninterrupted equine DNA chain - the creation of which brings staggering possibilities and a much deeper understanding of equine enigmas still to be investigated, for example:

Why are Russian Cossack horses, such as Basha O'Reilly's stallion, Count Pompeii, not afflicted by laminitis? Could genetic evolution experts, such as Dr. Gus Cothran, determine if these steppe stallions possess differences on a molecular level which might identify health risks for other breeds?

Though the horse has lived alongside mankind for millennia, many of his mysteries are still unresolved, and because of a lack of modern academic evidence, equestrian concepts often end up being argued with more passion than proof. The global equine DNA project will offer a host of new answers in fields ranging from archaeology to zoology.

A Global  Interactive Equestrian Event
To accomplish these goals, the Long Riders' Guild Academic Foundation, a global centre of equine investigation, has altered the landscape by instituting a new dialogue between scientists and the world wide equestrian community. And while Basha O'Reilly and the LRGAF recognise the importance of working with leading equine hereditary specialists, the World Ride is designed to be an interactive equestrian event, one which not only encourages "crowd-sourcing" the search for equine DNA samples, but will also inspire collaboration between horse-humans and scientists.

 
Captain Otto Schwarz and Basha

DNA Dream Team
Because of the enormous potential for scientific advancement, and since politics often get in the way of progress, it is hoped the World Ride will eventually result in the creation of international "DNA Dream Team," one wherein experts from a host of countries cooperate so as to protect and promote the horse.

Professor Matthew Binns, an equine genetics expert and professor at the Royal Veterinary College, and Bonnie Hendricks, author of "The International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds," the most complete compilation of horse breeds ever attempted, have already provided their enthusiastic support.

Coordinating the International DNA team 
North American Andi Mills heads the international DNA Team having  earned entry into the Long Riders' Guild by making a 1,500 mile journey across the United States, including a crossing of the hostile Mojave Desert.

"I did my ride on my Quarter Horse, Jericho. It was amazing how he recognized when we were in a dangerous place and knew what to do to keep us both safe. That's why we learned to trust each other and developed an incredible bond as we went through difficult things together. I am proud that Jericho's DNA sample was chosen to represent the Quarter Horse breed in America" Andi said.
Life did indeed challenge Andi's optimism when she swung down from the saddle, first by forcing her to deal with heart trouble and then by blinding her.

 
Andi and Jericho

Yet Andi isn't working alone. She is leading a team of international volunteers, in conjunction with Emma Kurrels founder of UK based  Voices for Horses, who are using the internet, email, Facebook, and other twenty-first century social media to create the largest global equine DNA project ever undertaken. The effort marks the launching of the most extensive use of the concept of "crowd sourcing" ever seen in the modern horse world. 

"It is both a thrill and an honour to be able to participate in such a monumental project," Andi said. "I am extremely proud to be a part of ‘Team Equus' as this is the Mount Everest of genetic equine research."