The Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (GB)

EEC Rules state that all horses have to have passports now, and that as of 2010 any horse without verified parentage will not be able to enter any stud book with the EEC/Europe. From July 2009 ALL foals born must be microchipped and passported.

DNA will also give you verified parentage when breeding - thus allowing your stock to enter a studbook.  Don't allow your horses to fall into the category of 'unknown'.  Don't be caught out in the short term, as this will effect everyone long term.  We need to plan for this now.

 OUR STUDBOOK

We are well on the way with our Traditional Gypsy Cob Association Studbook, and in some cases have five generations of DNA on file. Register your mare or stallion and you will have a lifetime record of your horse, from that you will be able to verify your youngstock and related horses. Which will help you keep records and 100% proof of breeding, something that has been lacking in the past and now has been lost. Help build a databse of gypsy cobs and protect the future gypsy cob breeding.

The TGCA will only accept traditional gypsy cob stallions and mares with a DNA profile.  A DNA profile is very important to protect bloodlines and it is essential that every mare and stallion registered with us has this profile.   DNA records prove parentage and breeding pedigree. 

A DNA profile can be used for years, and can help verify sons, daughters and grand-sires etc.  The Association will hold DNA records and these will be able to be used for cross referencing at a later date, if required.

If you would like your mare or stallion to be have a DNA Profile registered with the Association, and enter your horse in our Studbook. Please send:

• A Colour Photo of Your Horse on Side On - Each Side Please
• A front on photo of your horse's head with the forelock moved to the side
• Pedigree Information - As much information as you can provide
• Breeders details
• Owners details and contact details
• 50 hairs  pulled from the mane or tail (with their roots) and in a sealed plastic bag, clearly labelled with your horse's name.  Cut hairs will not do.
• A cheque/postal order payable to TGCA for £30.00.  If you are sending cash, you MUST send it registered post please.  We will not be responsible for any cash sent through the post that is not sent this way.

When taking photos of your horse please ensure the horse is standing square on a flat surface, preferably washed out and clean. You need to move the forelock to the side so we can clearly see the face markings. These photos will represent your stallion or mare on the database for life and will appear, possibly in photo form, on the pedigree certificates of all stock related to that horse. Show your cob in the best possible way for all to see for years to come !

You will recieve a dna testing certificate. The dna results will be kept private, they will not be shared with any outside individuals or businesses. The TGCA Studbook is solely for the purpose of recording gypsy cobs for the future benefit of the breed.

Pedigree Certificate

If you would like a TGCA laminated pedigree certificate of your horse to accompany your DNA certificate please include £5.00 with your £30.00 dna fee. Please state on your details that you would like a pedigree certificate included.

Colour Testing:

We have negotiated a special rate for tobiano testing (£15 per horse) - this a test to determine the coat pattern the tobiano coat pattern as follows; there are three results of the Tobiano Genetic test ;

Tobiano Negative - non tobiano

Tobiano Heterozygous - Displays tobiano markings and carries one copy of the tobiano gene. Can produce both tobiano and non-tobiano foals.

Tobiano Homozygous - Carries two copies of the tobiano gene, will always produce tobiano offspring when bred to any colour horse. 

Sample Collection

Collect sample by pulling (not cutting) 50 mane or tail hairs with roots attached. It is important that you pull hairs and confirm that the root 'bulb' of the hair is attached. The root contains the genetic material of you horse that is needed for dna testing. Cut hairs cannot be used for this purpose.

Please print out and complete the form and send with the hair securely in an envelope or bag, with your cheque for £15.00 made out to TGCA.  You will recieve a certificate showing the results of the testing.

• A horse that carries a single Tobiano gene is referred to as ‘Tobiano heterozygous’ –the word heterozygous in reference to genes means ‘two different genes’. Tobiano heterozygous horses are referred to as ‘nT’. A nT horse displays Tobiano markings and will statistically pass the Tobiano gene on to 50% of its foals.
  
• A horse that carries TWO Tobiano genes is referred to as ‘Tobiano homozygous’ –the word homozygous in reference to genes means ‘two of the same’. Tobiano homozygous horses are referred to as ‘TT’. A TT horse not only displays Tobiano markings, but will pass the gene to 100% of its foals.
  
• So, a Tobiano horse can carry either one or two Tobiano genes. The number of Tobiano genes the dam and sire carry will ultimately determine whether its offspring can potentially be heterozygous or homozygous for Tobiano.
  
  The following points simplify how carrying one or two copies of a certain gene affect the inheritance of that gene to the offspring.
• The offspring inherits 50% of its genetic makeup from the dam and 50% from the sire.
• If a horse has two copies of a certain gene (homozygous), it is guaranteed to pass one copy on to its offspring.
• If a horse has one copy of a certain gene (heterozygous), it is 50/50 as to whether or not it will pass the gene on to its offspring.

There are also various other colour tests available which will give an indication of the expected offspring colours. Please indicate on the form if you would like these other tests, they are £15.00 EACH test.