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How Do I... Pull a Hair Sample for DNA Testing?

Helpful Hints and Instructions for Equine DNA Typing

Samples will be of the root ends from the horse's mane hair.

1. If doing multiple horses, complete steps 2 through 5 for one horse before proceeding to the next horse.

2 Thoroughly wash and dry your hands. Clean comb and scissors by removing all hair and foreign matter. DO NOT try to pull a hair sample if the mane is wet.

3. Comb mane of horse being sampled to remove foreign material from the mane.

4. Pull (do not cut) 20 to 30 mane hairs by wrapping hairs around forefinger. Grasp hair close to the body to ensure roots are obtained. Pull straight toward your body. If you look closely at the ends, you will see the root bulbs on the hairs. A hole in the mane will not exist from these few hairs and will not hurt the horse

5. Place the mane hair (root ends) in the envelope with the horse's name. Verify the horse's name and registration number on the envelope (if the horse or foal has been granted a registration number, if not contact the US Arabian Horse Registry immediately). If needed, you may cut the excess hair off, leaving approximately eight (8) to ten (10) inches - the root ends must be there for the test.

6. Place hair kit in a larger envelope and address to the lab:

Do not send the sample to USAHR. Standard first class postage is all that is necessary.

7. If doing multiple horses WASH HANDS or put on clean surgical gloves before starting on next horse. This will reduce risk of cross contamination of DNA samples between horses.

8. For each horse repeat steps 2 through 5.

After the lab receives the sample, a DNA type will be reported to USAHR. You will not receive notification upon completion of the test. However, USAHR will contact you if there are any problems. CLICK HERE FOR FORM and Rule