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Hypoallergenic Horse Project

For some time, I have had an interest in understanding what causes the allergic reactions to horses in some people. If we understand that, perhaps we can provide a test to determine which horses will cause the allergic reaction and which horses are hypoallergenic. I am allergic to some horses, cattle, dogs, etc.

I was educated as a mechanical engineer. So I am not fundamental in the understanding of the sciences involved in genetics and DNA testing. I recently retired from my regular career, moved to our farm in east Tennessee, near Crossville, and began investigating the human allergy to horses. I have discovered that much of the research on human allergies has been done in Finland and France. In the process of developing allergy shots, they have identified that there are two lipocalin proteins in horses that are the source of most of the allergic reactions in humans.

Curly Horses generally demonstrate a hypoallergenic trait, which suggests that they have a unique genetic difference from other breeds. It is my belief that in the other horse breeds there are hypoallergenic horses in some percentage of the population. If the unique genetic differences that make these individuals hypoallergenic can be identified, then an economical and reliable DNA test can be developed to select hypoallergenic horses. For breeders, buyers, etc who are interested in hypoallergenic horses, a DNA test would be helpful in screening candidate horses.

We have identified a team of Equine researchers at the University of Minnesota who are interested in this subject. They have extensive expertise in the identification of genetic traits in horses and the development of DNA tests. They have prepared a project plan to identify the genetic differences in hypoallergenic horses that starts with the comparison of the genetic make-up of curly horses and horses from more allergenic breeds. Once the genetic differences are identified, the work will be validated with increased sampling and a DNA test will be developed. Ideally a breeder will be able to know whether a horse is the genotype that controls allergen production, and a buyer will know whether they will likely be allergic to a horse without having to physically come in contact with the horse. A lot of hurdles have to be crossed before we can get to that point. But that is our goal!

At this point, we have adequate funding to get the research started. Additionally, we have identified a potential source for the complete funding of the project if the results from the early work on the project are positive. What we need is help with collecting samples from horses that are hypoallergenic and quarter horses that cause normal allergic reactions. We need horses to sample and people who are allergic to horses to help with the sampling. If you are located in the Southeastern US, are interested in this work, and can help with the sampling please contact me at soenenr@hotmail.com


Rich Soenen

March 5, 2009

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Originally posted by admincurly


A message from Rich Soenen

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Hypoallergenic Horse Project

For some time, I have had an interest in understanding what causes the allergic reactions to horses in some people. If we understand that, perhaps we can provide a test to determine which horses will cause the allergic reaction and which horses are hypoallergenic. I am allergic to some horses, cattle, dogs, etc.

I was educated as a mechanical engineer. So I am not fundamental in the understanding of the sciences involved in genetics and DNA testing. I recently retired from my regular career, moved to our farm in east Tennessee, near Crossville, and began investigating the human allergy to horses. I have discovered that much of the research on human allergies has been done in Finland and France. In the process of developing allergy shots, they have identified that there are two lipocalin proteins in horses that are the source of most of the allergic reactions in humans.

Curly Horses generally demonstrate a hypoallergenic trait, which suggests that they have a unique genetic difference from other breeds. It is my belief that in the other horse breeds there are hypoallergenic horses in some percentage of the population. If the unique genetic differences that make these individuals hypoallergenic can be identified, then an economical and reliable DNA test can be developed to select hypoallergenic horses. For breeders, buyers, etc who are interested in hypoallergenic horses, a DNA test would be helpful in screening candidate horses.

We have identified a team of Equine researchers at the University of Minnesota who are interested in this subject. They have extensive expertise in the identification of genetic traits in horses and the development of DNA tests. They have prepared a project plan to identify the genetic differences in hypoallergenic horses that starts with the comparison of the genetic make-up of curly horses and horses from more allergenic breeds. Once the genetic differences are identified, the work will be validated with increased sampling and a DNA test will be developed. Ideally a breeder will be able to know whether a horse is the genotype that controls allergen production, and a buyer will know whether they will likely be allergic to a horse without having to physically come in contact with the horse. A lot of hurdles have to be crossed before we can get to that point. But that is our goal!

At this point, we have adequate funding to get the research started. Additionally, we have identified a potential source for the complete funding of the project if the results from the early work on the project are positive. What we need is help with collecting samples from horses that are hypoallergenic and quarter horses that cause normal allergic reactions. We need horses to sample and people who are allergic to horses to help with the sampling. If you are located in the Southeastern US, are interested in this work, and can help with the sampling please contact me at soenenr@hotmail.com


Rich Soenen

March 5, 2009

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