Lavender foal syndrome

Affected LFS foals have severe neurological abnormalities, cannot stand, and require euthanasia shortly after birth.

The popular name originates due to a diluted color of the foal's coat, that in some cases appears to have a purple or lavender hue.

In November, 2009, Cornell University announced a DNA test has been developed to detect carriers of LFS.

[7] Although they do have a sucking reflex, they cannot stand to nurse,[1] and affected foals are usually euthanized within a few days of birth.

If two carriers are bred together, however, classic Mendelian genetics indicate a 25% chance of any given mating producing a homozygous foal, hence affected by the disease.

[6] It is hypothesized, though untested, that LFS may be linked to another genetic disease that affects Egyptian-related Arabians, juvenile epilepsy.