Needs Assessment: What Are the Barriers to Use of Equine Genetic Testing?
Authors: Hammons Vada, Brooks Samantha A, Wickens Carissa
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Barriers to Equine Genetic Testing Adoption Despite over 96 commercially available genetic markers for horses, uptake remains limited to fewer than 20 tests, suggesting substantial barriers exist between scientific capability and practical implementation in equine operations. Hammons, Brooks, and Wickens surveyed Florida horse owners across diverse facility types and breeds to identify knowledge gaps and attitudinal obstacles, hypothesising that limited genetic education and lack of industry mandates would discourage testing adoption. Only 25% of respondents had genetically tested horses, yet amongst those who had, 80% reported excellent or good experiences—indicating satisfaction exists where testing occurs. Significantly, respondents with prior genetic education showed markedly higher likelihood of pursuing testing, whilst 65% expressed interest in learning more, with clear preference for web-based resources and veterinary sources over other information channels. These findings suggest the barrier to genetic testing is not consumer dissatisfaction but rather knowledge deficit and information accessibility. For equine professionals, the implication is clear: positioning yourself as an educated, accessible source on genomic tools—whether discussing parentage verification, disease predisposition testing, or genomic selection for breeding programmes—addresses a quantifiable gap in the market and client demand. Educational investment in genetic literacy within your client base represents both a professional development opportunity and a potential competitive advantage.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Education is key—horse owners with genetic knowledge are significantly more likely to test; veterinarians should proactively discuss genomic tools and their practical benefits for herd health and foal value
- •Current barriers to testing adoption are primarily knowledge and awareness gaps rather than quality or experience issues; the path to increase uptake is through targeted education via accessible online resources and trusted veterinary guidance
- •Market opportunity exists to promote genetic testing through breed organizations and extension services, particularly emphasizing genome-assisted selection for economic value in foal crops
Key Findings
- •Only 25% of surveyed horse owners had genetically tested their horses despite 96+ commercially available markers
- •Among those who tested, 80% rated their experience as excellent or good, indicating high satisfaction among users
- •Strong positive association between genetic education level and likelihood to pursue genetic testing
- •65% of respondents expressed interest in receiving genetic testing information, with preference for web-based articles and veterinarian sources