ASD (Anterior Segment Dysgenesis) is an ophthalmic abnormality caused by a gene that is found in some Rocky Mountain Horses. Anterior Segment Dysgenesis means that there is abnormal formation of the front part of the eye. This occurs in utero. There are various physical expressions of this abnormality that can be found by a veterinary ophthalmologist.

There has been much in the way of rumor and downright misinformation circulating about ASD. Some of this has even been printed in a major horse publication (Horse Illustrated). Rockies with ASD and, to our present knowledge, those that carry the gene with no expression, have cysts just behind the anterior portion of the eye. These cysts are of no consequence to the horse or to his owner unless that owner is using the horse to breed. They are certainly NOT painful. In fact, they are not only found to be present in many breeds of horse but in humans as well!! It was also said that we have had horses born without eyes! This is perfectly ridiculous! Dr. David Ramsey, the head of the team researching ASD, said that to his knowledge there has NEVER been ANY horse born without eyes.

ASD is NOT a degenerative eye disease. It is not a disease at all-it is a genetic problem. Of all horses that have ASD, almost all of them have acceptable vision that will NOT worsen with time.

We, of course, would like to eradicate this problem. Indiscriminate breeding could potentially cause the problem to worsen. This is particularly true when two horses with ASD are bred or a horse with ASD is bred to a carrier.

We, at Fox Hall Stables, are breeding responsibly. All of our horses, including youngsters for sale, have had their eyes checked by a Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist and the results are in the process of being registered with the eye data bank at Purdue University. We have noted the eye status of all of our horses on our Web Site and we offer written proof that all of our horses have been examined to buyers and those considering our stallions for stud service.

The Rocky Mountain Horse Association has asked that we use the following classifications: Class I is a horse with normal eyes, Class II is a horse with cysts only, and Class III is a horse with ASD.

One of our stallions, Venture's Blue Boy, was found to have ASD. Blue's foals have been wonderful but a few have had ASD and we are no longer comfortable using him for breeding. Therefore, we have retired him. He remains on our farm (for life) and goes with us to all the shows we attend where he is a fine ambassador for both our farm and the Rocky Mountain Horse. We are currently using one of "Blue's" sons, St. Louis Blues (Louie) who is Class II and a colt that we recently purchased, Maine V's Shadrach (Shadrach), who is Class I.

None of our horses-broodstock, riding horses, or horses offered for sale-have vision problems. We have a veterinary ophthalmologist come each year to examine foals, new horses that we may have purchased, and any others that people may want to have examined while the doctor is at our farm. Broodstock that we had on the farm in Spring, 1998 were all examined and evaluated for breeding purposes at that time.

The news on ASD is actually very encouraging. The researchers at Michigan State University are getting closer and closer to finding a simple genetic test for us to use in determining the EXACT status of each horse. Also, data collected during the latest research projects indicates that ASD is not a "Rocky thing" but is found in many breeds of horse and that the Rocky actually has much BETTER vision that originally thought with many showing IMPROVEMENT with age.

Fox Hall Stables is dedicated to the preservation of the natural Rocky Mountain Horse. We will do whatever is necessary to continue to produce very high quality horses for those of you who wish to own one or more of these beautiful, gentle, and proud animals. We love this breed and each individual horse that we own.

We thank you for your interest in the Rocky Mountain Horse. Our farm is always open to visitors.

Sheila, Gene and Arthur Smith
Fox Hall Stables and Training Center