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Nightphoenix · Sep 28, 2020 7:19 PM

Several members of the community have expressed interest in learning about the real life version of frame, so I will be using this post to share what I have learned in my ongoing study of equine genetics.

What is frame?

Frame, or frame overo, is a type of pinto pattern. It appears to be found primarily in the American Paint Horse. It can, however, be found in other horse breeds including the American Quarter Horse, the Thoroughbred, the miniature horse, and several other breeds.

Why is frame dangerous?

Frame is dangerous because the gene is lethal in its homozygous form (when the foal gets one copy of the gene from each parent). When two frame carriers are bred together, there is a 25% chance that the foal will die soon after birth. And the foal WILL die. There is no treatment for this lethal gene combination.

What happens if a lethal foal is born?

When a homozygous frame foal is born, it is typically pure white. The foal may seem fine at first. It might stand up, nurse, and move around. But soon it becomes obvious that there is something seriously wrong. Within a few days, the foal is dead.

Why does the foal die?

I don’t know the technical terms for this, so this is my version.

When the two frame genes come together during conception, something goes very, very wrong.

Homozygous frame prevents the intestinal tract from forming correctly. The nerves don’t develop properly. This is why the foal can seem fine at first. It’s when it is time to eliminate that it becomes clear that there is a problem. Because the intestinal nerves don’t develop correctly, the lethal foal is unable to poop. This causes the foal to colic.

The foal usually dies within three days. This slow death is extremely painful, which is why most lethal white foals are euthanized soon after birth (before they start to really feel the pain).

Why do people take the risk of a lethal foal? Why don’t they just not breed two carriers together?

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Frame can hide. A horse carrying a copy of frame can be completely solid colored with absolutely no white except for a tiny part of the face. The only way to know for sure if a horse carries frame is through genetic testing.

Conclusion

While frame is definitely beautiful, it is also very dangerous. If a homozygous frame foal is born, the only thing that can be done to help the foal is to humanely euthanize it so it will not spend its few days in this world dying an agonizing death.

WitchwaterAcres · Sep 28, 2020 7:23 PM

Wow, thank you so much for this information! That's so sad, but really interesting to know.

HarmonyC · Sep 28, 2020 7:24 PM

So sad

Wolvevenfrost · Sep 29, 2020 12:16 AM

That is so so sad but very wonderful information and knowledge to know and remember!❤

WhiteValley · Sep 29, 2020 12:52 AM

I knew it was something to do with the intestines but didn't know it was the nerves. Very interesting. Thank you.

annismyrph · Sep 29, 2020 2:16 AM

Thankyou ; informative and well written i Think i am going to bookmark this for Future newbies :) to help explain it

Ammit · Sep 29, 2020 7:04 AM

Pigment is an important part of nerve development. It is the same reason splash can cause deafness. Nerves in the ear canal don't form. Remember missing pigment is a sign that something was incorrect during development.

Nightphoenix · Sep 29, 2020 7:14 AM

Also why few spot appaloosa horses can have moon blindness.

Ammit · Sep 29, 2020 7:49 AM

All hom appies are night blind. It is not nerves but calcium channel issues with appies but yup same principle!

Nightphoenix · Sep 29, 2020 8:11 AM

I knew it was all hom appies, but I was curious about the leopard gene in general because my barn has a Pony of the Americas with moon/night blindness, but he is solid chestnut...

Ammit · Sep 29, 2020 9:30 AM

Appaloosa causes night blindness. Equine recurrent uveitis or Moon blindness is a different condition. Appies seem prone to it but any horse can go moon blind as it is caused by an infection.

HorseAngel · Sep 29, 2020 10:06 AM

Wow, this is all great information! Appies are some of my favorite real life horses! But its really sad that most White genes can cause so many of these problems and really unfair that there so pretty too!

Nightphoenix · Sep 29, 2020 11:07 AM

11507056

This mare is a great example for both in game and real life. She has no white markings, but she is heterozygous for frame. If she wasn’t from a herd helper and I hadn’t put her through genetic testing, I would never know that she has frame. I would only find out that she carries frame when she gives birth to a lethal white foal, and by then it is too late.

It works the same way for real life horses.

Horseloverofsk · Apr 10, 2021 2:34 PM

That's very interesting but sad too. Thanks for the info!! :) :)

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