BLOOD GROUPS IN HORSES

• Blood groups are determined by the presence or absence of certain proteins or sugars found on the red blood cell membrane.
• The number of blood groups varies among domestic species.
• Normally, individuals do not have antibodies against antigens on their own red blood cells or against other blood group antigens of that species unless they have been exposed to them by a blood transfusion or pregnancy.
• In some species however, antibodies from one individual that react with antigens of another individual may exist without any prior exposure.
• In horses, antibodies are produced in the mare against a foreign fetal red blood cell antigen when fetal blood passes through the placenta.
• This can be a problem in subsequent pregnancies if foals have this same foreign antigen inherited from the sire.
• The maternal antibodies can be transmitted to the foals in colostrum (first milk) and can destroy the foal's red blood cells.
• In horses there are 8 major blood groups: A, C, D, K, P, Q, U, and T.
• Of these, A, C, and Q seem to be the most likely to stimulate an antibody response when given to a horse that is negative for them.
• These groups are identified to aid in matching of donors and recipients and to identify breeding pairs potentially at risk of causing an immune disorder, neonatal isoerythrolysis, in their offspring
• Because the expression of blood group antigens is genetically controlled and the ways in which they are inherited are understood, these systems also have been used to confirm pedigrees in horses. However in most cases, DNA testing has now replaced blood typing for paternity testing.

Reference

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/horse_disorders_and_diseases/blood_disorders_of_horses/blood_groups_and_blood_transfusions_in_horses.html