Is This True

[zeldalithgow]

I read this on another forum, the person that said it has been involved with Fells for along time

It is now a well known fact that the foals that are affected with the syndrome more regularly are the ones with no white and the scientists that are researching it have readily admitted that the syndrome is almost certainly a problem caused and prolonged by in breeding.

[Anna]

Second bit possibly, its partly because we have such a close genetic pool that we get genetic problems like this, first bit no, i don't believe so. More like general assumptions, thinking of the dales that are carriers they aren't whole black and have plenty of white on them.

Especially in the fells where they prefer them near totally whole black anyway, I should think a massive proportion of foals affected will be whole black but most fells are whole black anyway so I don't think its a cause and affect link as such, just how the statistics fall.

[DalesLady]

I doubt it chooses colour in that way Zelda. Perhaps if they are referring to Fell ponies it may be as most Fell Ponies do not have white on.

[valerie n scout]

mmm I guess its the small gene pool too x