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Ridglings
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 1:22 pm
by Guest
First time I heard the word ridgling was when I first went to a track and no one explained it to me...that's because I'm the one in the family with the horse knowledge and I'm supposed to know....
I've since heard it's when one testicle drops and the other is retained. Can someone please clarify for me exactly what it means? Ever since the first time I saw the word in the racing program, I haven't come across it there again.
How often does it occur? Are there any influential sires to have this themselves or in their pedigree somewhere? I saw on a post in another forum about a son of Fusaichi Pegasus being a ridgling and I know I probably misconstrued that. Again, will someone correct me on that information, please? Does it happen more in the sire's side or the males from the dam's side? How much information about this is available? Any understanding as to *why* it happens?
My apologies and thanks....
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 2:58 pm
by madelyn
There was a discussion about this some time ago. Here is the excerpt with what I believe is the best explanation:
Pete wrote:Hi Folks,
These terms are often used interchangeably in rather general terms but there are subtle differences:
CRYPTORCHID: Is an inheritable trait where one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum. One affected testicle is a UNILATERAL CRYPTORCHID and both is a BILATERAL CRYPTORCHID.
An abdominal cryptorchid retains the teste(s) in the abdominal cavity and shortly after birth they won't be able to descend. A bilateral abdominal cryptorchid will be sterile.
Am inguinal cryptorchid retains the teste(s) in the inguinal canal (between the inguinal ring and the scrotum) and they may descend on their own or with surgery. A unilateral inguinal cryptorchid may end up with two descended testicles.
Ridgeling refers to a testicle retained near the inguinal ring (ridge) as Madelyn mentioned, so it’s meant to be a unilateral cryptorchid, possibly abdominal or inguinal but it’s commonly used to refer to cryptorchidism of any type.
Monorchidism is the absence of one (unilateral) or both testes (bilateral). It’s a rare condition.
Sperm can’t survive at body temperature so acryptorchid will be sterile unless one or more of their testicles descend into the scrotum.
Regards,
Pete
Since the occurrence of this affects only the sexual organs of male horses, it leads me to the presumption it is carried only in the male DNA complex, so can very presumably be carried from father to son. AP Indy is a ridgeling with a descended testicle..
I do not know of any studies done on pedigrees to see if, say, the son of an AP Indy daughter came out a ridgeling, with no ridgelings in his sireline.
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 4:08 pm
by LaTroienne
Re: Ridglings
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 6:15 pm
by Pan Zareta
Brushup wrote:How often does it occur? Are there any influential sires to have this themselves or in their pedigree somewhere? I saw on a post in another forum about a son of Fusaichi Pegasus being a ridgling and I know I probably misconstrued that. Again, will someone correct me on that information, please? Does it happen more in the sire's side or the males from the dam's side? How much information about this is available? Any understanding as to *why* it happens?
A.P. Indy, Summer Squall & all of Weekend Surprise's colts were rigs except Honor Grades. The trait's pretty widespread. Yes, it's definitely hereditary, but not necessarily something that's more apt to be passed by one gender - WS's sons apparently came by the trait via their dam, but have also gotten quite a few of rigs among their own sons.
some more info
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 6:55 pm
by mini's mom
"Bill Mott use to "chill" a horse to get him to suck up than put a rubberband around to scrotum. I had questioned if perhaps this practice may have had an impact on Cigars fertility issues though. But it did work in getting the horses with this "problem" to run more comfertably though."
this is from another thread on the ped query
mini's mom
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 9:15 pm
by Guest
All that was in the program occasionally was 'ridgeling.' Thanks so much for setting me straight!
I've always thought it to be an undesirable trait and that any with the condition would not be used as breeding stock. Is it because of the pedigree alone that the horses are still breeding? Are there any known health problems or repercussions to letting a horse live with it or having it passed on - whether it be early or even later on in life?
About the 'icing' theory...why not just geld? I can see why that explains Cigar, but that's a whole other story.
Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 6:50 am
by Prairie
Why aren't ridgelings gelded?
Cryptorchidism IS genetic and readily passed on from generation to generation. In addition, those undescended testicles can cause serious health problems, including cancer.
Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 8:59 am
by LaTroienne
http://www.trackchampion.com/forums/sho ... php?t=5624
Sometimes the other testicle descends...like it did w/ Lyphard, and he turned out to be an excellent sire........
Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 1:37 pm
by austique
Prairie wrote:Why aren't ridgelings gelded?
Cryptorchidism IS genetic and readily passed on from generation to generation. In addition, those undescended testicles can cause serious health problems, including cancer.
Because A.P. Indy stands for $300,000
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 1:32 pm
by jellac
I am recalling that one of the all time greats to retire to stud in N.A. - I'm thinking it was either Seattle Slew or Secretariat - not sure which one - was reportedly a 'ridgling' (or cryptorchid?). As I'm recalling this the stallion's then record setting syndication's success hinged upon proof that he was fertile backed by a then rather special insurance program to share investors if he proved less than capable in that area. Wasn't this why Secretariat was "test" bred to an Appaloosa mare, producing a son that went on to be a font for his blood among race bred Appaloosas which is prevalent and highly regarded to this day?
Can anyone confirm or set me straight please?
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:32 pm
by Pan Zareta
jellac wrote:I am recalling that one of the all time greats to retire to stud in N.A. - I'm thinking it was either Seattle Slew or Secretariat - not sure which one - was reportedly a 'ridgling' (or cryptorchid?). As I'm recalling this the stallion's then record setting syndication's success hinged upon proof that he was fertile backed by a then rather special insurance program to share investors if he proved less than capable in that area. Wasn't this why Secretariat was "test" bred to an Appaloosa mare, producing a son that went on to be a font for his blood among race bred Appaloosas which is prevalent and highly regarded to this day?
Can anyone confirm or set me straight please?
Neither Secretariat nor Slew were rigs, and as far as I know test breedings for freshmen stallions were and are SOP at most of the major farms. Could it be A.P. Indy that you're thinking of? His syndication didn't set a record, but at $10M it's the highest I know of for a rig.
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:34 pm
by jellac
Pan Zareta - Perhaps it was A P Indy but for some reason I'm thinking it was one of the "recent" TC winning stallions that went to stud with some questions as to his being fertile......because of an undistended testicle. You know I am really learning to hate it when I run into this "fog" that didn't used to be in my head...Ggrrrrr!!!!
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:34 pm
by jellac
Pan Zareta - Perhaps it was A P Indy but for some reason I'm thinking it was one of the "recent" TC winning stallions that went to stud with some questions as to his being fertile......because of an undistended testicle. You know I am really learning to hate it when I run into this "fog" that didn't used to be in my head...Ggrrrrr!!!!
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:27 pm
by Pan Zareta
The initial checks (Nov., 1973) on Secretariat (and Riva Ridge, as well) yielded a relatively low live sperm count, but that of course was right after he/they'd come off the track. Subsequent checks were normal, and there was an article in BH at or near the end of the '74 breeding season dealing w/ the fact that Sec. had stopped most of his mares in short order, and it was incidentally noted therein that he [was] not a rig. When Indy's success on the track began to generate speculation as to the effect his ridgling status might have on a potential stud career, it was reported in context that his sire was not a rig. Re. Affirmed, all I can recall is reading something about how he'd passed his repro system checks w/ flying colors. I think I'd remember it if there'd been concerns b/c he was a rig, but occasionally I get foggy too.
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:38 pm
by Regal Pleasure
From what I have always heard, Secretariats first foal (the result of a "test breeding".) was in fact an Appy. His name was First Secretary.