Thank you from the Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses

To the FHANA Health Committee and Board,

 

On behalf of the Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses and more importantly, all Friesian horses, I would like to thank you for your generous contribution to our research initiative to address megaesophagus in our beloved horses.

 

Your contributions will go directly towards the research being conducted by the University of Kentucky.  The PhDs involved have already developed a comprehensive protocol to breakdown the genetic code of samples as they are forwarded to their facility.  As they receive DNA samples from affected horses, we then begin a search for, hopefully, unaffected full, or at least half, siblings.  In comparing those samples, they hope to find the unique differences, with the expectation of developing a test to detect affected genetic carriers of this, sometimes fatal defect.  Sounds simple.  Yeah, that’s what I thought and that is why we are suppling the financing and PhDs are doing the research.

 

On a very positive note, our involvement and the development of an American based research team has reinvigorated researchers in Europe to readdress this genetic challenge.  Obviously, Fenway would love for our research team to discover and introduce the test, but the bottom line is, Fenway will cooperate with any genetic research team as our ultimate goal is the well-being and viability of the noble Friesian horse.

 

Again, on behalf of the Fenway team and all of our wonderful horses, thank you for your generous contribution.  When the test is developed please take satisfaction in knowing that your contribution assisted in insuring that our Friesians will continue to make all of our lives better by being a part of them.

 

Sincerely,

 

Scott Kelnhofer

President and Co-Founder

Fenway Foundation for

Friesian Horses