When you see a question mark, do you see risk or possibility?

There is nothing more intriguing than a good mystery, except, of course, when it involves your own horse.  I’m not much for horse mysteries, since uncertainty can lead to expensive vet bills and sleepless nights.  I have quickly learned that you never really know what you’re getting into when you take on a new horse and uncertainty is part of the journey. Still, the question mark of where Pavarotti came from continuously prodded my mind.

Pavarotti has been a known/unknown, whirlwind kind of journey. After seeing his sales post on Facebook, my trainer and I flew out ASAP to meet him. People were jumping all over his ad, and I just happened to be the first one to message the seller about him in earnest. We rode him and that evening I committed to purchasing (yikes!). We brought him home a few weeks later-during a pandemic lockdown, nonetheless! Horses in his price and age range sell quickly, so I moved forward quickly, based on the good impression he made and the potential he promised. Nevertheless, we didn’t know for sure what was coming home. Pavi was essentially a great big question mark.

We knew that Pavi was CUTE, likely 6 years old, likely Friesian/Thoroughbred. He was also a bit mouthy and fairly green with a dreamy canter and a soft eye. The unknowns included: his name before he reached the sales barn, his breeding, life experiences, birth date, and everyday things like whether he’d ever stood in cross-ties or worn shoes. Although the trainer who had him for a month was very forthcoming, the previous owners had only shared his age and possible breeding. 

Thankfully, genetic testing clarifies the unknown. A simple search online revealed that the Animal Genetic Lab at Texas A&M University performs equine DNA testing! I printed out the form, attached hair from his mane, and mailed the package to Texas. The whole process was quick, easy, and at $45, a relative bargain.  Within two weeks the results of Pavarotti’s were emailed back to me.

Pavarotti’s top two likely breeds were listed as Hanoverian and Friesian.  Since Hanoverians have been supplemented with Thoroughbred to lighten the breed, I think that Friesian/TB or Friesian/Warmblood of some kind is a solid assumption.  The next steps to learn more would be to reach out to Friesian and TB registries with Pavi’s DNA results to see if there are any matches, but I’m not sure I will go that route at this point. Will ancestry testing solve the mystery surrounding my horse? Not likely. However, the results confirmed enough of what I was told when I bought him to make me feel more assured and to settle my over-thinking tendencies.

To me, the mystery is as solved as it needs to be for now. There are gaps in his history that I will never know. Specifics about his ancestry may provide closure, but not necessarily wisdom for our future together. Pavarotti’s mysterious background demands my attention.  I try not to assume I know how he will handle different stimuli, and it makes me a better horsewoman as a result. Regardless of his breeding or history, I see the best in him and work expectantly toward our goals. After all, I ask him to see the best in me, too.

So, are question marks risky?

Perhaps. 

Are they full of potential?  If Pavarotti is any indicator, then I would say they definitely are. :)

Interested in learning more about ancestry testing?  Check out Texas A & M’s page at  https://vetmed.tamu.edu/animalgenetics/horse-ancestry/ and let me know what you discover!