Horse breed ancestry testing is a developing technology. Chincoteague Ponies don't have a specific genetic marker that can be used for DNA verification that a pony is a Chincoteague. No breed DNA test exists that can say if a pony is a Chincoteague or not. Family and parentage testing is currently the only way to DNA verify a Chincoteague. Many breeds make up the mix that is the Chincoteague Pony, and not one specific mix. This is the case with many breeds, but older more defined breeds and breed groups can be genetically identified. These genetically unique breeds can be used in DNA breed testing.
There have been 31 Chincoteague Ponies tested so far using Etalon Equine Genetics Ancestry testing. The International Chincoteague Pony Association and Registry has partnered with Etalon. The test by Etalon utilizes seven well studied breed groups to determine ancestry. The groups were selected because they were defined in a study on the genetics of the origins of horse breeds. Five of the groups are further broken down into individual breeds.
There have been 31 Chincoteague Ponies tested so far using Etalon Equine Genetics Ancestry testing. The International Chincoteague Pony Association and Registry has partnered with Etalon. The test by Etalon utilizes seven well studied breed groups to determine ancestry. The groups were selected because they were defined in a study on the genetics of the origins of horse breeds. Five of the groups are further broken down into individual breeds.
Observations
- Arabian is unsurprisingly the largest percentage. Arabian has been used as an outcross breed multiple times through the Chincoteague breed's history.
- Shetland and Icelandic in the North Sea group comes in second. Shetland is well documented to have been crossed into Chincoteagues. The Icelandic blood may come from that period in the breed's history also.
- The third largest group is European Draft. This is likely from the multiple instances of Mustang outcrossing. BLM Mustangs often have a large amount of this category. Ponies with a large amount of Maryland Assateague Horse breeding also have a significant amount of this category.
- Descendants of the half Thoroughbred Windy show a higher percentage of Thoroughbred blood. Non-descendants show 0-5% Thoroughbred.
- Chincoteagues are often said to have spanish blood, mostly due to the legend of the Spanish Gallon. Their Banker Horse cousins have tested to have significant amounts. The tested Chincoteagues have had only 16% to 4% Iberian blood and is the 5th largest group.
Charts
The results of the 31 tested Chincoteagues have been grouped together below and are illustrated in charts. The pie chart shows the breakout by the breed groups. The bar chart shows the individual breeds, color coded to correspond to the groups.
