This will be a short and quick post, but needed for future discussions on genetics. This is a post of the most common genetic terms and their definitions that one runs into when researching Minis.
Genotype-this is the actual complete genetic make up of the horse, including dominant and recessive genes.
Phenotype-this is the physically visible genetic make up of the horse, what actually shows in it's conformation, color, and temperament.
Heterozygous-this is the term for when a horse carries ONE copy of a given gene, and thereby has a 50% chance of passing said gene along.
Homozygous-this is the term for when a horse carries TWO copies of a given gene, and thereby will ALWAYS pass this particular gene along.
Most often one will see these in reference to color, as we have tests for most of the color genes now. I am looking forward to the day when tests exist for conformation genes....
Genotype-this is the actual complete genetic make up of the horse, including dominant and recessive genes.
Phenotype-this is the physically visible genetic make up of the horse, what actually shows in it's conformation, color, and temperament.
Heterozygous-this is the term for when a horse carries ONE copy of a given gene, and thereby has a 50% chance of passing said gene along.
Homozygous-this is the term for when a horse carries TWO copies of a given gene, and thereby will ALWAYS pass this particular gene along.
Most often one will see these in reference to color, as we have tests for most of the color genes now. I am looking forward to the day when tests exist for conformation genes....
