Which condition is also known as Hyperelastosis Cutis and weakens skin?

• A. HERDA
• B. PSSM
• C. GBED
• D. HYPP

Answer: (A)

This describes a hereditary skin fragility in horses. Hyperelastosis cutis refers to skin that is unusually stretchy and tears easily, with poor healing. In Quarter Horses, the condition behind this description is HERDA, which stands for Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia. It’s an autosomal recessive disorder, so two carrier parents can produce affected foals, while carriers themselves usually appear normal. The underlying issue is defective collagen processing, leading to skin that can’t maintain strength and rapidly tears with handling.

The other conditions listed affect different body systems: one mainly involves muscles (not the skin), another is a fatal metabolic disorder in foals, and the last is a periodic paralysis due to a sodium-channel mutation. None of those describe weakened skin, so HERDA is the match for Hyperelastosis Cutis.