Latest from Horse & Hound in Rare-breeds

15 rare horse breeds from Great Britain and around the world

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:28:31 +0000

Do you have a handle on the world’s rare horse breeds?

All over the world lie elusive and rare breeds that you should definitely know about, many of which are British native breeds. Organisations such as the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) and individual breed societies oversee populations and campaign for the breeds’ conservation.

Here, we bring you a selection of rare horse breeds from across the globe, and some interesting facts about them…

Rare British horse breeds

The Dales pony. (Image credit: Alamy)

1. The Dales pony

Height: 14hh–14.2hh
Colour(s): black, brown, grey, bay and roan
Place of origin: the Pennines region
RBST status: Priority breed

The Dales pony is native to the upper dales of the eastern slopes of the Pennine range, from the High Peak in Derbyshire to the Cheviot Hills near the Scottish Border.

The breed originates from the crossing of Scotch Galloways used for pack work in the 17th Century, and native mares. According to the Dales Pony Society: “it was that the black Galloways of the mixed herds eventually superseded the Scotch Galloway, and eventually became the Dales Pony through a series of improvements from several sources.”

Bloodlines from the now extinct regional trotter (or roadster) breeds also helped develop the Dales pony we know and love today.

According to the Dales Pony Society: “the combination of strength, agility, thrift, hardiness and high courage, with good conformation and a calm, intelligent nature, makes the Dales Pony a first-class riding and driving pony with all the abilities of a true all-rounder.”

The Cleveland Bay. (Image credit: Alamy)

2. The Cleveland Bay

Height: 16hh–16.2hh
Colour(s): traditionally bay with black points, with a small white star the only permitted white marking
Place of origin: the Cleveland Hills, Yorkshire
RBST status: Priority breed

The Cleveland Bay horse can be traced back to the Chapman horse of the 17th century. According to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, it is the oldest established native British breed.

In former times, the only acceptable colour was solid bay in colour with no white with the possible exception of a very small star. Nowadays, horses with white hairs exceeding this breed standard can still be registered to protect their genetic value to the breed. However, their passport/studbook will note the deviation.

Initially bred in the Cleveland Hills, farmers used Cleveland Bays on the land, for riding and as pack animals.

The Cleveland Bay Horse Society acts as guardian of the breed. Formed in 1884 to preserve and promote the breed, it continues its role today.

The Royal family have given the breed a great boost. The late Queen’s grandfather had been a breeder of Cleveland bays in the 1920’s, and The late Queen purchased a Cleveland Bay colt named Mulgrave Supreme. They have been known to pull Royal carriages.

The Exmoor pony. (Image credit: Alamy)

3. The Exmoor pony

Height: 12hh–13.2hh
Colour(s): bay, brown or black, typically with pale points (mealy markings) on the face, especially around the eyes, flanks and inside the legs
Place of origin: Exmoor, Devon
RBST status: Priority breed

Ponies have been on Exmoor since ancient times, and this environment shaped their size, characteristic hardiness, independent spirit and native intelligence. Many consider Exmoor ponies one of the country’s oldest pony breeds, roaming the land for approximately the last 5,000 years.

In 1818, the crown sold the Royal Forest of Exmoor to industrialist John Knight. The outgoing Warden, Sir Thomas Acland, took 30 of the ponies and founded the Acland herd (now known as the Anchor herd) running on Winsford Hill. Farmers from Withypool and Hawkridge, who had worked for the warden, also bought stock at the dispersal sale and founded several herds which still exist.

Although some breed Exmoor ponies on studs throughout the country, herds of semi-feral free-ranging ponies still run on the moor.

The late 1940s nearly saw the demise of the Exmoor pony.

Today, while still a rare breed, they are a popular riding pony for children and small adults.

The Eriskay pony. (Image credit: Alamy)

4. The Eriskay pony

Height: 12hh–13.2hh
Colour(s): grey, occasionally black or bay
Place of origin: Eriskay, Outer Hebrides
RBST status: Priority breed

The Eriskay pony is among the last surviving remnants of the original native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland.

Essential to the crofting community, this breed was instrumental in the retrieval of seaweed and peat for fertiliser and fires. People also used them for transport and all kinds of farm work.

Unfortunately, like many rare horse breeds, the Eriskay declined in the 19th century due to the advent of farm machinery. By the early 1970s, there were only 20 pure-breds on the remote island of Eriskay, so a dedicated group of people got together in an attempt to increase numbers. The Eriskay Pony Society was founded in 1995.

According to the breed society, there are around 420 Eriskays left in the world.

The Suffolk horse. (Image credit: Alamy)

5. The Suffolk Horse

Height: 16.1hh–17.2hh
Colour(s): chestnut, from dark liver to light red
Place of origin: Suffolk, England
RBST status: Priority breed

The Suffolk horse is the oldest breed of heavy horse to exist in its present form. They are also known as the Suffolk Punch. In local Suffolk dialect, their chestnut colour is called ‘chesnut’ without the ‘t’.

The earliest stud book of any heavy horse breed, and all modern Suffolks, are descended from just one horse, Crisp’s Horse of Ufford, which was born in 1768.

During the First World War, the strong horse was a popular working animal. Consequently, there were 1000s of Suffolks residing throughout East Anglia. They were known for their ability to be used for draught work and forestry

The rare breed declined rapidly when farmers swapped horses for tractors and machinery, and in 1966 there were only nine Suffolk foals registered.

Today, they are a popular cross to produce heavy sports and show horses, and they are being increasingly seen in ridden heavy horse classes.

The Hackney horse. (Image credit: Agency)

6. The Hackney

Height: 12.2hh–14hh (pony), 14hh–16.2hh (horse)
Colour(s): solid colours, such as black, bay and chestnut, with white markings
Place of origin: Norfolk and Suffolk
RBST status: Priority breed

The Hackney had its origins in the Norfolk and Yorkshire Roadsters (trotting horses) of the 18th and 19th centuries, but is first mentioned in medieval times.

Early thoroughbred stallions had a great influence on the breed. According to the RBST: “Following improvements in the roads during the 16th and 17th century there was an increased demand for carriage horses and the highest status symbol was to be seen out in a stylish equipage with proud high-stepping horses.”

Known to trot at high speed for extended periods, these slender, muscular and elegant animals were perfect for the job. In 1883, the Hackney Horse Society and Stud Book was formed.

The signature high-stepping action characterises both the horse and pony versions of the breed. Efforts to preserve the breed include highlighting its versatility as a driving, riding and show horse.

Rare horse breeds from around the world

The Sorraia horse. (Image credit: Alamy)

7. The Sorraia

Height: 13.3hh–14.4hh
Colour(s): dun of all kinds with primitive markings
Place of origin: Portugal

Sorraia horses are a remnant population of an indigenous, South Iberian wild horse, which survived in the formerly inaccessible lowlands of the river Sorraia in Portugal until the early 1900s.

The Iberian scientist and horse expert Dr Ruy d’Andrade discovered these horses in 1920 and is responsible for their preservation.

Occasionally, locals caught the horses to train for herding and farming. However, the population is largely feral.

Today, there are only 200–300 Sorraias. Private owners hold most of this population.

All Sorraias descend from only 11 or 12 animals that d’Andrade secured in the 1930s, and in-breeding is therefore incredibly high.

The American Cream Draft horse. (Image credit: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

8. The American Cream Draft Horse

Height: 13.5hh–16.3hh
Colour(s): pale cream to gold with a white mane and tail
Place of origin: Iowa, US

The American Cream Draft is a relatively new breed and is the only draft breed to have originated in the United States. Varying reports say there are between 250 and 400 in the world.

Many believe that the Cream traces its roots back to a draft-type mare named Old Granny. She is believed to have been foaled around the turn of the last century in Iowa and was cream in colour.

Gaining popularity in the 1930s, an owner called Clarence T Rieson was especially proactive in breeding Creams. Sadly, they became popular just as mechanisation began making working horses obsolete.

The American Cream Draft Horse was recommended for recognition by the National Stallion Enrolment Board in 1948. In 1950 they were recognised as standard by the Iowa Board of Agriculture.

The American Bashkir Curly. (Image credit: Alamy)

9. The Curly Horse (American Bashkir Curly Horse)

Height: 14hh–16hh
Colour(s): any
Place of origin: Nevada, US

While there is no real limit to a Curly Horse’s size, colour and type, all carry a gene for a unique curly coat of hair.

Curlies are claimed to be the only hypoallergenic horse breed. They originated in North America with less than 1000 in the world today. Some say that a man named Peter Damele discovered them at the turn of the 20th century. He spotted curly-coated horses while riding out in the Nevada desert.

The American Bashkir Curly Registry, the first breed registry, formed in 1971.

Most of today’s curly horses have ancestry to one or more of the three stallions Copper D, Curly Jim or Eli Bad Warrior’s sire (name unknown).

The British Curly Horse and Pony society was founded in 2010.

The Marwari horse. (Image credit: Alamy)

10. The Marwari Horse

Height: 14hh–15.1hh
Colour(s): any
Place of origin: Marwari (Jodhpur)

The Marwari Horse descends from the mounts of the Rajput warriors. A slender, elegant horse, it is recognisable for its inward-turned ear tips, which sometimes touch. With their lineage traced back to Arabian and Mongolian horses, this detail could link them to the Kathiawari horse.

The breed sadly fell out of favour with British colonisers, who preferred the thoroughbred.

Because the breed was rare and faced extinction, an export ban was placed in the 1930s and no Marwari horses were able to leave India. In 2000, Francesca Kelly in the United States received the first shipment of six horses.

Today, the breed is still rare with fewer than 5,000 purebred horses in the entire world.

The German Black Forest horse. (Image credit: Alamy)

11. German Black Forest Horse

Height: 14.2hh–16hh
Colour(s): chestnut (any shade) with a flaxen mane and tail
Place of origin: The Black Forest, southern Germany

This striking, cold-blooded, light draft horse originates from the Black Forest of southern Germany, where breeding dates back to the 15th century. The records of the Abbey of Saint Peter in the Black Forest.

A versatile breed, they were originally used for farm work and forestry. Today, many people ride and drive them.

The rare German Black Forest Horse has many names. These include Schwarzwälder Füchs, Schwarzwälder Kaltblut, Wälder Horse, and Saint Märgener.

As of 2017, it was recorded that there was a population of 88 stallions and 1,077 mares, and one of the key breeding programmes is at the Marbuch Stud horse farm in Germany.

The Canadian horse. (Image credit: Alamy)

12. The Canadian Horse

Height: 14hh–16hh
Colour(s): most commonly black, but other colours appear
Place of origin: Quebec, Canada

The Canadian Horse became the country’s national horse in 2002 and is registered as ‘at risk’ by Heritage Livestock Canada due to dwindling numbers. There are around 6,000 animals globally.

Canadian horses descend from a load of Spanish, Norman and Breton-bred horses sent to Canada in 1665 by King Louis XIV to his subjects in New France. From those foundation horses, a distinct breed of horse emerged, and became known as ‘Le Petit Cheval de Fer’ or ‘The Little Iron Horse’.

The Canadian Horse Breeders Association says the breed is known for “its calm and willing disposition, excellent feet, stamina and strength”. Additionally, the breed is understood to have influenced the Morgan horse.

The Caspian horse: (Image credit: Alamy)

13. The Caspian Horse

Height: 10hh–12hh
Colour(s): any solid colour
Place of origin: ancient Persia (modern day Iran)

Caspian horses average only 11.2hh but despite their height, they considered horses rather than ponies due to their conformation.

The rare horse breed dates back to ancient Persia, at least as far as 3,000 B.C. Experts now believe the Caspian to be the forerunner to the Arab horse and therefore to most of the hot-blooded horses in existence today.

Caspians have spectacular action as well as speed. The breed underwent a resurgence when native Virginian Louise Firouz and her Iranian husband Narcy began a breeding programme, hearing the Caspian was an ideal horse for children.

In the 1970s, the late Prince Philip received a breeding pair of Caspians and conservation developed in the UK. There are fewer than 500 in Britain, and around 2,000 worldwide.

The Newfoundland pony. Photo: Alamy (Image credit: creditUnknown)

14. The Newfoundland Pony

Height: 11–14hh
Colour(s): bay, black, brown, chestnut, dun, grey, roan and white only
Place of origin: Newfoundland, Canada

According to the Newfoundland Pony Society: “The Newfoundland Pony is known for its strength, courage, intelligence, obedience, and common sense.”

During the later part of the 20th century, the estimated population of 12,000 (1970s) dropped to fewer than 100 in the 1980s.

In 1997, the provincial government of Newfoundland passed the Heritage Animals Act of Newfoundland and Labrador. This Act provided legal protection to the Newfoundland Pony by making it illegal to transport Newfoundland Ponies off the Island without export permits. The Act also designated the Newfoundland Pony Society as the public group responsible for registering, promoting and protecting the Newfoundland Pony.

Truly one of the most rare horse breeds, there are an estimated 500–600 animals in Canada and the US.

The Akhal-Teke. (Image credit: Alamy)

15. Akhal-Teke

Height: 14.2hh–16hh
Colour(s): any colour with a metallic sheen, but frequently palamino, cremello and perlino with pale eyes
Place of origin: Karakum desert, Turkmenistan

Developed for endurance and speed, the Akhal-Teke is one of the oldest domesticated horse breeds, with links as far back as a 6th-century Siberian burial site. Here, archaeologists discovered equine remains similar to the Akhal-Teke. According to legend, Macedonian King Alexander the Great once rode them.

In 1881, Turkmenistan became a part of the Russian Empire and the first official breeding farms of Akhal-Tekes were established. Numbers declined due to the turmoil that marked the early days of Soviet Russia.

The breed came to the United States in 1972. In the same year, the breed registry began with the founding of the Akhal-Teke Association of America.

This rare horse breed possesses great athletic ability and crossing with thoroughbreds and sport horses is common. There are an estimated 6,600 in the world.

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Concern for rare equine breed’s future as numbers decline – but signs of hope elsewhere

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 16 May 2026 15:59:10 +0000

The Hackney horse and pony has suffered a further decline, the latest Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) figures show, but there are signs of hope elsewhere.

The numbers of Hackneys were already “very low”, and the breed was already in the “priority” category but the 2026 RBST watch list, published this month, shows that its situation is now classed as critical.

Figures show that the number of dams producing registered offspring dropped from 34 in 2024 to 20, a 41% reduction. The breed’s effective population size, a measure of genetic diversity rather than the number of horses, has dropped from 52 to 27, well below the United Nations’ breed level of concern, 50.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said: “The Hackney horse and pony has been operating at low numbers for some years, and further sharp declines in 2025 have put the breed in a critical situation.

“This characteristically tough and hardy breed has so much to offer – as well as its fantastic history, the Hackneys’ agility and flair make them great horses for showing, jumping and dressage as well as under harness. Halting this decline is an urgent priority for RBST and we will be working with RBST members and the breed society to intensify our conservation programmes for the breed.”

Unique chapter

Hackney Horse Society council member Sarah Hockings said the breed “represents a unique chapter of British history”, but also an opportunity for modern riders, owing to their temperament and versatility.

Her fellow council member Fred Vyse added: “Whether in the show ring or as a spirited companion, the Hackney remains a breed of unparalleled quality.

“We are proud to be working in close collaboration with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust to secure this future. By combining the society’s deep-rooted expertise with the RBST’s conservation work, we are taking proactive steps to turn the tide on declining numbers.

“Our joint efforts are focused on ensuring that the ‘celebrated Hackney’ is not just a memory of the past, but a thriving, vital part of the UK’s equine community for years to come.”

The 2026 RBST watch list, the charity’s annual report, shows that six native UK equine breeds are in the most urgent, priority, category, and six more are classed as at risk.

Cleveland Bays

This year’s report also highlights concerns for the Cleveland Bay. Despite major efforts made in recent years, the number of breeders registering foals and the number of dams producing registered offspring are the lowest recorded since data collecting started in 2002. In one year, the number of dams has dropped by 42.8%.

Cleveland Bay Horse Society chairman Matthew Stonehouse told H&H that after the Covid period there was a “welcome increase in breeding activity; a sign that interest in the Cleveland Bay remained strong”.

“That momentum has since eased, and we attribute this to a combination of factors,” he said.

“Challenging economic conditions for breeders, the wider cost-of-living squeeze on equestrian pursuits and what several of our members have noted was an unusually difficult breeding year in 2024 due to adverse weather. Cycling difficulties that year are thought to have suppressed foal numbers, not only in Cleveland Bays but across several breeds.”

Mr Stonehouse added that international registrations, which have “played a meaningful role in our numbers”, have also reduced in recent years, which the society is actively monitoring.

“The Cleveland Bay is Britain’s oldest established native horse breed, and its future is something we care about deeply,” he said. “We are moving forward with promotion of the breed; particularly to amateur riders and a younger audience who may not yet appreciate just how versatile and characterful these horses are.

“We believe the 2026 figures will provide a clearer picture, and we remain cautiously optimistic.”

Signs of hope in 2026 RBST watch list

The Suffolk horse’s effective population size increased in 2025 for the third consecutive year, and the number of dams producing registered offspring was the highest since 2010.

The Dales showed effective population size growth and the Eriskay pony was stable. There was an increase in new Exmoor breeder registrations.

Mr Price said 13 UK native equine breeds are classed as rare on the 2026 RBST watch list.

“These breeds are an irreplaceable part of our cultural heritage, and they also have important modern roles to play in riding and recreation, conservation grazing for nature restoration and genetic diversity,” he said.

“Owners of native breed horses and ponies around the UK can work with RBST and breed societies to register their animals, to showcase their versatility and take part in crucial breeding programmes. Please do contact RBST to find out more about how you can support a strong future for our rare native equines.”

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Studbook’s ‘groundbreaking initiative’ aims to conserve, protect and restore rare bloodlines

Becky Murray — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:02:31 +0000

A “groundbreaking” new approach will allow horses without recorded pedigrees be considered for entry into the Irish Draught Horse Studbook (IDHS) in a move to restore rare bloodlines – an initiative that could help other native breeds in future.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has introduced the “genomic grade-up rule” for IDHS, described by the governing body as “the first initiative of its kind in an Irish sport horse studbook”. Breeders can submit a hair sample – at a cost of €200 (£173) – and using advanced genomic tools, it will be assessed whether the animal “carries the core genetic make-up of a pure-bred Irish Draught”.

Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and once approved, horses will be designated “genomic grade up” in the supplementary section of the studbook. Their progeny, by or out of another Irish Draught, will be eligible for the studbook’s main section.

“This provides a scientifically robust pathway for identifying and restoring rare or long‑absent Irish Draught bloodlines, strengthening the future of Ireland’s national breed,” said an HSI spokesperson, adding that this genomic technique is also being investigated for use with the traditional Irish horse designation.

HSI head of breeding, innovation and development Sonja Egan said the genomic grade-up is a “significant and forward-looking step for the studbook, and in support of daughter societies worldwide”.

“The studbook has embraced existing genomic research and genomic technologies, which have the power to protect the integrity of the breed while creating new opportunities to reintroduce valuable bloodlines that may otherwise be lost,” said Dr Egan.

“It marks a major milestone in how we conserve and strengthen the Irish Draught horse population, with significant potential for development in the traditional Irish horse population and, where other studbooks are interested, other native rare breeds.”

HSI senior equine geneticist Jennifer Doyle added that she is “delighted to support breeders” with this new innovative method of identifying Irish Draughts.

“The potential to identify these horses that would otherwise have been lost to the ID studbook marks a significant change in our ability to conserve and protect bloodlines in an important native rare breed,” said Dr Doyle, adding that this is just “one benefit of many”, using this type of genotyping.

“I hope this launch is the first of many genomic discoveries that will support the many dedicated breeders of our native rare breeds.”

Olive Broderick of Kylemore Stud told H&H she and some other breeders believe that the breed needs genetic diversity and “any help in this area would be beneficial” – but added that rare bloodlines are “mostly rare because the stallions were not used as they were not considered good enough”.

Mrs Broderick suggested that an appendix register – accommodating approved Irish draught (AID) mares – should be reinstated for horses that have been inspected and are true to type, as this “added greatly to the quality of the breed”.

“AID mares generally were 25% thoroughbred. Crossed again to Irish Draught and you were almost full Irish Draught, but the quality and hybrid vigour it brought to the breed was very notable. This would be very interesting and worthwhile once more in my opinion,” she said.

Mrs Broderick said that she sees no harm in the grade up – on the basis that horses are inspected first.

“I would suggest it be allowed only for a limited time and number initially and the resulting foals born from the newly upgraded stock be closely inspected and followed for four years,” she said.

Irish Draughts are on the Rare Breed Survival Trust watchlist and the organisation’s chief executive Christopher Price told H&H the initiative “represents a positive, science-led step” in conserving the breed.

“Advanced genomic tools can assess whether an individual animal has the correct genetic make-up for inclusion in the supplementary section of the studbook. Alongside traditional pedigree recording and registration, which remain vital for long-term breed management and continuity, similar genomic tools could also be considered to support conservation in other native breeds that have defined a clear genetic profile,” he said.

“There are many reasons why pedigree records may be incomplete or lost and this system can create a pathway for such animals to contribute to the future of the breed while ensuring breed integrity is maintained.”

An Irish Draught Horse Society of Great Britain (IDHS (GB)) spokesperson told H&H the society learned of the rule on 18 March and “needs to assess what it will mean for IDHS (GB) in practice”.

“We need time to study the scientific literature underpinning the new development, consult with our council and members and ask HSI how the implementation of the rule will impact on current methods of evaluation,” said the spokesperson.

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‘Robust demand’ for natives – as hopes new research will strengthen future of ‘irreplaceable’ breeds

Becky Murray — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 07:09:16 +0000

New research will “hone action that will strengthen the outlook of irreplaceable horse and pony breeds”, it is hoped, as “robust market demand” for natives is reported.

On 20 March the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) presented the findings from the trust’s equine conservation project at a seminar at the Horse Trust, Buckinghamshire. The work, funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), aimed to identify overarching and breed-specific issues in native breeds, analyse differing approaches to breeding and reproductive technologies and understand opportunities for extending the modern uses of natives.

Almost 400 breeders took part in a survey on breeding decisions to provide an up-to-date picture of breeder behaviour motivations and challenges in the UK’s native horse and pony sector.

Among the findings, most breeders work on a small scale, managing up to three mares per year, and motivations are “overwhelmingly conservation-focused rather than commercial”; breeders are driven by preserving bloodlines, improving genetic and performance traits and contributing to breed sustainability. Of the respondents, 76% have used or would consider using artificial insemination or sexed semen – but barriers include cost, logistics and preference for natural service among some breeders.

Looking at market trends, 44% of surveyed breeders reported “expanding demand” for natives, and this is strongest when breeds have “clear practical uses such as riding, driving and conservation grazing”, but breeders “consistently highlighted” a need for greater promotion and public visibility beyond the show ring, better stallion access and AI services and more mentoring and guidance for new breeders.

Our fantastic native breeds

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said the UK has a “fantastic array” of native breeds, each with their “own unique traits and heritage”.

“They all have so much to offer to modern riders and land managers but sadly a number of native equine breeds remain in a precarious position,” he said. “The knowledge gained through this project will help conservation bodies and breeders, working together, to target and hone action that will strengthen the outlook for all our irreplaceable horse and pony breeds.

“The findings show a committed, conservation‑minded breeder community that is optimistic about the future and indicates robust market demand. With enhanced support in areas such as AI access, stallion availability, genetics and promotion, together we can significantly strengthen the long‑term sustainability and visibility of the UK’s native horse breeds.”

The project also looked at equine welfare perception, which showed that “while commitment to good welfare is strong among owners and professionals, horses across the UK continue to face risks due to knowledge gaps, inconsistent management and economic pressures”.

“Native breeds face additional challenges requiring targeted intervention, including a decline in traditional knowledge. Improving access to reliable, practical welfare information will be essential for raising standards and supporting better outcomes across the sector,” said an RBST spokesperson.

Following this, the RBST has recommended that clear accessible welfare education is made readily available to owners, collaboration between welfare bodies, breed societies, the RBST and other equine organisations to “improve consistency” of guidance, and the trust has called for “an industry campaign to counter misinformation” online and promote evidence-based management practices.

A clearer picture

HBLB grants and communications officer Rob Bailey said: “We are pleased to support RBST’s equine conservation project, which is helping to build a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s native horse and pony breeds.

“It is encouraging to see that the findings will help strengthen the long-term sustainability of these important breeds.”

Following this, the RBST has recommended that clear accessible welfare education is made readily available to owners, collaboration takes place between welfare bodies, breed societies, the RBST, and other equine organisations to “improve consistency” of guidance, and the trust has called for “an industry campaign to counter misinformation” online and promote evidence-based management practices.

The HBLB grants and communications officer Rob Bailey said: “We are pleased to support RBST’s equine conservation project, which is helping to build a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s native horse and pony breeds.

“It is encouraging to see that the findings will help strengthen the long-term sustainability of these important breeds.”

Are you a native breeder? Tell us your views by writing to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

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A victory for rarity: grey Shire tops the HOYS 2025 ridden heavy horse championship

Bethan Simons — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 15:01:52 +0000

A rare grey Shire found himself at the top of the line in the Barber Family British ridden heavy horse championship, providing his producer with a second victory since this Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) final was introduced in 2016.

Emma Green rode six-year-old Cardington Billy Bob (out of Cloverfield May Queen) to victory, a gelding she bought unseen as a three-year-old.

“He’s a dead easy, genuine horse – his stablemate is completely different in that respect – but he’s taken it all in his stride. When we qualified him, we thought well we’ve got two that are very different but let’s run him because it’ll do him good,” Emma said.

“Billy Bob has totally exceeded all our expectations. He’s such a lovely boy. When I ride out at home I ride this one and lead Charlie, the other one I had in today, and he does that in the dark, he’s so genuine and so special.”

Emma intends to keep going with the Burlington Park Loose Valley son, who seems to have found his calling in the show ring:

“He’s one of those horses that loves it, likes the attention, likes the shows so I think this is his job and he can keep coming back.”

“Queen of the heavies” Emma, who was also in the placings with Lindy Winship’s Higher View Charlie for the final, last won the final in 2022 with Westfield Calendar Girl who, she notes, is a “very different” character.

“We’ve had seven or eight qualify for this final and it’s just about keeping going and finding horses to bring out, especially when there just aren’t the numbers.”

Shire horses are deemed at risk by to the Rare Breed Survival Trust – having declined in response to “agricultural mechanisation”, and only surviving to modern times owing to “the support of a small number of individual breeders” – and grey Shires even more so; some sources say there are only 200 or so globally.

Emma added: “Shires are rare anyway but even more so are the greys. We are wanting to promote the breeding of them so it’s good for him to come. The only problem is we need more on the ground because people want them but it’s just breeding them.”

Runner-up in the ridden heavy horse championship “keeps getting better and better”

A second Shire took up the runner-up position in the ridden heavy horse championship and this was Neil Wray’s Acle Mojo, with Neil’s partner David Drake at the bridle.

The Rookhills Leapley Lad eight-year-old is out of Acle Queen Of Diamonds, and Neil bought him as a five-year-old unbacked stallion. Mojo was bred by Bryan Banham, whose Acle Carousel won the Shire horse of the year accolade in 2022 and featured in the line-up again this year alongside three others boasting the same prefix this time.

“We’ve spent the last three years showing Mojo. He was here last year when he was third, and the year before he was fourth – we’ve got better. But this may be our last season as we have young horses at home and we will be looking for a new home for him unfortunately.”

Neil found the horse advertised on Facebook.

“He was with a Shire horse breeder called Jonathan Worthington from Cheshire; he’d been his stud stallion for a couple of seasons. We were lucky enough to pop across, see him stood in the field and thought, ‘That’s the one.’”

In his third HOYS final, low-mileage Mojo has only ever contested 10 shows in total. He qualified this year at the National Hunter Supreme Show, and other highlights include second place at the National Shire Show this spring, having won there the previous year.

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How to buy a Dales pony, plus what to look for in a quality example of this native breed

Alex Robinson — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 07:30:47 +0000

If you’re hoping to buy a Dales pony for the show ring or to simply enjoy, then this guide on what to look for is the ideal starting point.

What is a Dales pony?

The Dales pony is one of the Britain’s native breeds. According to the Dales Pony Society (DPS), the Dales is a native of the upper dales of the eastern slopes of the Pennine range, from the High Peak in Derbyshire to the Cheviot Hills near the Scottish Border, where a lead mining industry flourished from Roman times until the mid-nineteenth century.

During the late 17th Century, the Scotch Galloway was the favoured breed for fast pack work.

The DPS says: “Suitable native mares ran with the breeding herds and it is recorded that farmers also liked to run a few Scotch mares with the native herds on the fell.

“The largest, strongest and most active ponies were chosen for pack work and were well fed to ensure fitness and speed. So it was that the black Galloways of the mixed herds eventually superseded the Scotch Galloway, and eventually became the Dales pony through a series of improvements from several sources.

“The Scotch Galloways were famous for their ‘peculiarly deep and clean legs, their qualities were speed, stoutness and sure-footedness over a rugged and mountainous country’. In turn, the Dales ponies became renowned for their great strength, iron constitution, endurance, and the ability to get over rough country fast.”

Dales ponies ideally stand between 14hh to 14.2hh, but there is no upper height limit on the breed.

Dales ponies can be registered as follows (credit DPS):

Section A: By a registered, licensed stallion, and out of either a section A or a section B mare, and displaying correct markings.
Section B: By a registered, licensed stallion and:
a) out of a section A or a section B mare, but displaying incorrect markings.
b) out of section C mare, and correct in type and colour.
Section C: By a registered, licensed stallion and out of section D mare, and correct in type & colour.
Section D: Passed by two inspectors as being true to type, height and colour (closed 31 December 1971).

The Society also maintains a part-bred register.

Dales ponies are predominantly black but some are brown, bay, grey and, more rarely, roan. White markings, such as a star and/or a snip, and white to the hind fetlocks, are allowed. Ponies displaying more white than this are down graded from section A to section B.

Dales Pony Society breed standard

Head: Neat and pony-like. Broad between the eyes, which should be bright and alert. Pony ears slightly incurving. Long foretop of straight hair down the face.

Neck: Strong and of ample length. Stallions should display a bold outlook with a well-arched crest. Throat and jaws clean-cut. Long, flowing mane.

Shoulders: Well-laid, long, sloping shoulders with well-developed muscles. Withers not too fine.

Body: Short-coupled and deep through the chest, with well-sprung ribs.

Hindquarters: Deep, lengthy and powerful. Second thighs well-developed and very muscular. Tail well set on, not high, with plenty of long, straight hair reaching the ground.

Hocks: Broad, Flat and clean. Well let down with plenty of dense flat bone below.

Forearms: Set square. Short and very muscular, with broad, well-developed knees.

Feet, legs and joints: The very best of feet and legs, with flexible joints, showing quality with no coarseness. The cannons should display eight to nine inch (20.3cm — 22.9cm) of flat, flinty bone and well defined tendons. Pasterns should be nicely sloping and of good length. Ample silky feather on the heels. Large, round feet open at the heels, with well developed frogs.

Action: The Dales is defined by its flashy, energetic action. The knee and hock should be lifted and the hind legs should be flexed well under the body for powerful drive.

Dales ponies are popular all-rounders, succeeding in multiple disciplines. The DPS says: “Dales ponies were bred for a specific job in a harsh environment. When the job changed, they were successfully adapted for other uses, and today the ponies can demonstrate all the qualities and abilities which brought their forebears such renown.

“The combination of strength, agility, thrift, hardiness and high courage, with good conformation and a calm, intelligent nature, makes the Dales pony a first-class riding and driving pony with all the abilities of a true all-rounder.”

What should I look for in a Dales pony?

Anna Pennell and her family breed Dales ponies under the Nipna prefix. Ponies from the stud have won at all major fixtures as well as at breed shows. Their stallion Nipna Midnight Rambler was crowned supreme M&M champion at London International in 2023.

“Whatever pony I’m looking at I start with the quality of the feet and the lower limbs,” explains Anna. “They need to have quality bone with a good-sized, strong foot. Hocks and joints are so important to any breed.

“Working our way up the pony, I’d look for a good shoulder, especially if seeking a future ridden pony. If looking for a ridden animal, I’d like slightly longer pasterns, but not too long as they need to stand up to work. The angle of the pastern should also match the length of the shoulder. This gives them the true Dales trot and comfortable ride that they are known for.”

Anna also says that Dales ponies are known to be slow maturers compared to other natives, so going into a viewing with an open mind is essential: “Don’t expect most four-year-olds to be ready to go out and do it all. I would not be worried if a six or seven-year-old was immature, either, as most of them don’t come into their prime until they are at least eight years old, but some take even longer. Of course, there are the odd exceptions to this rule, but they are generally late maturers that require time and patience to develop both mentally and physically.

“The action of a Dales should be akin to a wagon wheel,” Anna continues. “They should move up and travel forwards. We don’t want a pony to ‘potato-mash’ up and down, or daisy cut. The best of the best tend to move from the get go, but if I saw a nice two or three-year-old with quite average movement I would not write it off. They can often develop their action under-saddle and it can take time for them to strengthen and become more powerful.”

When asked if prospective buyers should look for a section A or a section B Dales, Anna advises: “I have no issues with section Bs — there are successful section Bs out and about on the circuit. If you want to show then a pony with four white socks and a blaze is not ideal, but they are extra markings at the end of the day, not a conformational defect. If you don’t want to show, a section A or a section B could be suitable for you as Dales ponies generally make super all-rounders that can do anything and everything.”

Where to buy a Dales pony

Online horse for sale sites have Dales ponies advertised when they are available, but Anna warns that as the Dales is a rare and in demand breed, they are rarely advertised on the open market.

“A good starting point is to get in touch with the DPS,” says Anna. “Then, it’s always a good idea to go to breed shows and speak with breeders who might have stock currently available or coming up for sale in the near future. I would not expect many ponies to be advertised on sales sites throughout the year, though; once people get hold of a Dales they rarely want to let them go!”

How much does a Dales pony cost?

The price of a Dales pony will depend on several factors, including breeding, age and competition record.

“We have sold colt foals for around £2,000 and filly foals for around £3,000,” Anna says. “If you have a rising four or five-year-old ready for breaking you could expect them to sell for between £4,000 and £5,000, perhaps more. An established show pony could easily fetch between £10,000 and £15,000. This is an estimate for ponies good enough to show, though you can certainly find ponies for less, and for more.”

What happens when I’ve agreed to buy a pony?

If you decide to purchase a pony a pre-purchase vetting is strongly recommended. It’s important to let the vet know prior to the vetting what you intend to use the pony for so they can assess it accordingly.

“I would have an older pony put through a two-stage vetting, at least,” Anna says. “But a lot of buying a pony is about common sense. If you don’t feel you are experienced enough to make a decision on a pony’s health and soundless, always seek professional advice.”

For more information, you can read H&H’s ultimate guide to buying a horse.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Is an Exmoor pony right for you? Tips from a breeder on buying your perfect one

Alex Robinson — Tue, 13 May 2025 07:30:36 +0000

Want to buy an Exmoor pony? Then this guide on what to look for and where to search is a good place to start.

What is an Exmoor pony?

The Exmoor pony is one of Britain’s oldest breed of native pony. The Exmoor pony is a rare native breed recognised by the Rare Breed Survival Trust and is listed in their watchlist under priority.

The preferred height range of Exmoors is:

Stallions and geldings can stand up to 12.3hh, from 11.3hh
Mares can stand up to 12.2hh, 11.2hh

The Exmoor Pony Society (EPS) was founded in 1921.

The EPS states that: “Exmoor ponies are versatile, adaptable, very strong for their size and able to turn their hooves to a wide variety of activities. Historically, the Exmoor pony was used by the hill farmers to undertake all kinds of work from being ridden for shepherding to being used in harness for ploughing, harrowing, taking feed to stock and the farmer’s family to market and church. Ponies from wild herds were gathered and then trained to pull the carts and chariots of the Celtic settlers. The Doomsday book contains the first written evidence of ponies on Exmoor, when it was a designated Royal Forest. Records from the 1500s onwards reveal that the equine population varied in numbers rising to about 1,000 at times. Non-Exmoor mares came to the moor to join the indigenous British Hill Pony type stock but it is thought that the wardens ran native stallions.”

There are approximately 500 breeding mares and 100 licensed, registered stallions in any given period of five years producing between 100-150 foals per year.

Foals are bred into the free-living herds on Exmoor – the home of the Exmoor pony – and also in in-ground and free-living situations throughout the UK, Europe and North America.

All Exmoor pony foals are inspected each year and registered into Section 1 or Section X of the EPS studbook in accordance with EU/DEFRA legislation and the Rules of the EPS.

Each herd is assigned a number and then each foal is assigned a number in that herd – this makes up the registration number for the pony.

The EPS provides the following breed standard:

General appearance: Definite “pony” character; hard and strong; vigorous and alert and symmetrical in appearance; mealy muzzle; prominent hooded toad eye
Head and neck: ears short, thick and pointed; clean cut face; wide forehead, eyes large, wide apart & prominent with well defined fleshy hood and pale colouration outlining the eyes (Toad Eyes); wide nostrils; mealy muzzle; clean throat; good length of rein.
Shoulders: clean, fine at top, well laid back.
Chest: deep and wide between and behind forelegs; Ribs long, deep, well sprung and wide apart.
Back: level; broad and level across loins; tail neatly set in.
Legs: clean & short, with neat uniformly dark hoof walls; forelegs straight, well apart and squarely set; hind legs well apart, nearly perpendicular from hock to fetlock with point of hock in line with pelvis bone; wide curve from flank to hock joint; legs free in motion with no tendency to sweep or turn.
Action: straight and smooth, without exaggerated action.
Coat: summer – close, hard and bright. Winter – a double-layered dense coat with an under insulating layer of fine, springy hair and an outer waterproofing layer of hard, greasy hair.
Colour: bay, brown or dun, with black points; mealy colour on muzzle, round eyes and inside flanks; no white markings anywhere.
Quality: alert expression and general poise indicating balance and symmetry of movement; flat clean bone.

What should I look for in an Exmoor?

Jackie Webb has been breeding Exmoor ponies under the Blackthorn prefix since 1978. She is also on a number of judging panels, including NPS and BSPS, and Exmoor, Connemara and New Forest breed society panels.

Influential Exmoor stallions she has owned or bred include Dunkery Buzzard, Blackthorn Hawkwind, Siskin and Blackthorn Sea Poacher. Siskin was a three-time Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in-hand finalist, and Sea Poacher qualified for HOYS numerous times, including with Laura Collett who campaigned him in working hunter classes. Blackthorn Poldark won at Hickstead in 2023 with Jess Talbot, and Blackthorn Blush Rose won at HOYS twice with Katy Marriott-Payne.

“The pony has to shout Exmoor at you, which most of them do,” says Jackie. “An Exmoor is usually instantly recognisable.

“An Exmoor should be a well-made pony with good limbs and bone. It must move, too, and these days many good ridden ponies do have movement and are able to be schooled similarly to the other breeds you see out and about on the circuit. Once upon a time, not many people showed Exmoors, but they are increasingly popular, which has been positive for the breed.

“Mealy markings are important. I liked a well-marked pony, with obvious mealy markings. Darker ponies don’t have obvious markings and at certain times in the year they can lose their markings completely, especially if they are rugged during show season.

“A good Exmoor should have a bold eye and small pony ears.

“Our breeding stock should be as good quality as ridden ponies, however you arguably might want a pony with more scope for the ridden job.”

What can I do with an Exmoor?

Exmoors are a versatile breed and they can usually perform in multiple disciplines. They are hardy and tough, and they are often brave and nimble. They are a good choice as a working family pony as they can live out and require little maintenance.

Due to their stamp and size, Exmoors make ideal mounts for small adults as well as capable children.

Exmoors contend small breeds M&M ridden classes and they jump in either 122cm or 133cm working hunter pony classes. Many Exmoors jump well and the breed is also increasingly visible in the mini circuit, with representatives contending both lead rein and first ridden classes with success.

If I buy an Exmoor, will it suit me?

It depends on the pony, and your riding abilities as well as what you wish to do with your pony.

Exmoors are known for being a quirky breed that isn’t suitable for everyone, however Jackie says it’s very much a case of horses for courses: “They are known for their quirks, but they are usually highly intelligent which makes them not suitable for everyone. They’re always one step ahead of you, and people can mistake that for them being stubborn.

“Today, you see lots of Exmoor contending first ridden and lead rein classes, so it depends on the temperament of the individual pony. It depends on how they are educated, too. If you get a pony that is wild from the moor, then he will take a lot more work to get going compared to a pony that has been handled from the off.”

Where should I buy an Exmoor pony from?

“If you want to buy an Exmoor for the ridden job, then I’d suggest taking your time to go to multiple breeders and have a real good look around,” Jackie advises. “The more ponies you can look at the better; this helps you get your eye in.

“If you’re wanting a foal and are happy to wait for it to mature and grow, you can go to the breeders who run ponies on the moor. There really isn’t anything more rewarding than bringing one up yourself. But, if you’re looking for an older pony to bring on sooner than I suggest going to the up-country breeders as these ponies have usually been handled more. Be aware of your own capabilities as not everyone has the experience to bring on a wild Exmoor foal!”

How much should I expect to pay for an Exmoor?

Like all native breeds, Exmoors vary in price depending on temperament, age, competition record and other factors.

“There are cheap ponies around, but, like in any breed, the better ridden ponies are fetching higher prices,” says Jackie. “These days, a good foal can easily make between £500 to £1000.”

I’ve agreed to buy an Exmoor pony, now what?

It is time to organise a pre-purchase vetting, something that is strongly recommended. If the pony is for a child, perhaps asking for a trial period would be sensible, but not all sellers will agree to this.

It’s important to let the vet know prior to the vetting what you intend to use the pony for so they can assess it accordingly.

If you tell the vet that you want the pony for the show ring, they should hopefully inform you of any blemishes or conformational faults which could impact its future career, even if they don’t impact its soundness or performance.

Do note that if you are buying an Exmoor off the hill, it will be unlikely that you will have the pony vetted as it could have had little handling.

“It depends on what you are paying for an Exmoor, too,” says Jackie. “But for peace of mind you could always get an older pony checked over by the vet.”

For more information, you can read H&H’s ultimate guide to buying a horse.

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Calls for riders to embrace the Hackney’s versatility as rare breed teeters on the brink

Lucy Elder — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 17:14:51 +0000

The overarching picture for Britain’s rare equine breeds is a mixed bag in 2025, as Hackneys face a worrying decline and others have a welcome boost in numbers.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) watchlist is the annual report on the UK’s native equine and livestock breeds. It takes into account the number of breeding females registered and measures of genetic diversity.

Fells, Dartmoors, Cleveland Bays and Eriskays have all recorded increases. There is also “a more stable picture” for Welsh section Bs, which were added to the watchlist last year (news, 18 April 2024).

The RBST said the new watchlist “deepens concerns” for the Hackney horse and pony, which “remains in a very challenging situation”.

“The breed has now seen worryingly low numbers for over a decade and while female registrations were slightly higher in 2024 compared to 2023, the total number of dams producing registered progeny declined,” stated the RBST.

It added that the Hackneys’ “effective population size”, which indicates genetic diversity by accounting for total number of animals and relative numbers of sires and dams, has fallen “very close to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s level of concern” of 50.

Hackney Horse Society chairman Nicola Salter told H&H the news is “very worrying”.

“We are doing our best to try to get people to see the Hackney as more than just a driving animal,” she said, adding that they are “fantastic” for driving, but much more.

She gave examples of Hackneys’ success and influence in dressage competition and breeding, jumping, and a much-loved lead-rein pony enjoying a second career with the same family as a driving pony.

“For the breed to prosper, it has to be seen as a more versatile animal. We have to keep trying for the sake of the breed,” she said.

Welsh Pony and Cob Society chairman Ed Gummery told H&H that although the section B remains on the “at-risk” register, the society is pleased the data “indicates an improving and more stable picture”.

Mr Gummery also noted that the RBST data only reflects UK statistics and that there are “a good number of section B ponies bred and owned overseas”.

He said that there was “an immediate upward spike in interest” in the breed, following the 2024 announcement and subsequent publicity.

“This can only be seen to be doing what it was intended to do, rekindling interest in owning and breeding these unique ponies, assisting to promote their exceptional versatility and thus improving their survival prospects for the future,” he said.

“The society hopes that with no set requirements to hit specific numbers at shows, a more even playing field for medal awards and recognition within the society will exist, that will allow the section B Welsh pony to flourish once again alongside our other Welsh pony and cob sections.”

In terms of Fells, there was an increase of more than 50 dams recorded as producing registered progeny in 2024 – an rise of 23% on 2023 and the highest recorded figure since 2010.

H&H spoke to several breeders involved in drives to support and promote the Fell.

Stacy Longrigg, chair of the Fell Pony Society Next Generation Group, told H&H it is urgently trying to tap into and preserve the “invaluable” wealth of knowledge among older breeders. The group is looking at social media and digital methods to record and share wisdom with younger audiences.

Libby Robinson, chair of the Fell Pony Heritage Trust, told H&H about the variety of promotional and educational work the charity does. From taking a pony into schools, working with cultural film-makers and photographers, to tapping into the Lake District’s tourist market – current surveys show around 18 million people visit the area each year – by putting information in tourism offices, and much more.

A spokesperson for the Fell Pony Society told H&H it is “delighted” with the increase.

“This reflects the increasing popularity of this exceptionally versatile, low-maintenance all-round family pony,” she said.

“Fell ponies took the supreme championships at HOYS (Horse of the Year Show) and the London International Horse Show in 2024, which is further testament to the quality of this outstanding native breed.”

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said: “The watchlist shows welcome stability across many of the UK’s rare native equine breeds, which pays testament to the great dedication and commitment of owners and breed societies throughout the UK, day in and day out.

“However, the picture remains very concerning for some of our rarest equine breeds, particularly the Hackney horse and pony.

“We will continue to work closely with the breed societies to improve the outlook for all rare equine breeds through scientific research, application of the latest conservation tools and techniques, support for breeding networks and promotion of the great benefits that these breeds can bring people, communities and the environment today and for the future.”

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‘She’s a mare of many talents’: 22-year-old Fjord is supreme senior in London

Alex Robinson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:13:06 +0000

A 22-year-old Fjord mare was crowned 2024 SSADL in-hand supreme champion at the London International Horse Show.

Natalie Jefferies led her own Aplhaugs Lilja to the crown on what was their debut in London.

Natalie, who works as a senior carer in a care home and has three children, has owned Lilja for five years. She came over from Norway after being the ultimate all-rounder, doing particularly well as an endurance horse, competing at FEI level as part of the Norwegian junior team.

“She’d also competed western and in carriage driving over there, and we’ve done dressage, jumping and even tried side-saddle together,” Natalie said. “She’s a mare of many talents.”

Lilja has been to the Royal International twice and earlier this season she was ridden supreme at the SSADL national championships and finished second at Royal Windsor.

“She’s a very laid-back horse but can be strong; she’s nicknamed Rhino at home,” Natalie added. “She’s currently teaching my kids to ride, too. When you put a jump in front of her, she pricks her ears and just goes. She loves showing, too, and is a joy to show.”

Lilja is the first Fjord to have ever won at London International.

“You don’t often see them around and she always turns heads,” Natalie says. “It’s nice to showcase the breed as they’re a great animal that can do so many things.”

Natalie added: “I was not expecting to win at all. My legs were shaking so much and I was crying. When our sash was presented, my kids and Mum were right in front of me, which was amazing. We never chase these moments, we just go out to enjoy ourselves, so to be champion was something I never even dreamed of.”

In reserve was 16-year-old Exmoor stallion Blackthorn Poteen, handled by Kestra French who has owned him since he was a weaned foal. This was Poteen’s second appearance in London, having finished eighth last term.

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A ‘significant moment’ as endangered species foal born in the UK

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:35:08 +0000

The birth of one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals has been described as a “significant moment” for the species.

Keepers at West Midlands Safari Park were delighted when 14-year-old Grevy’s zebra Akuna gave birth to a healthy colt in the early hours of 19 October.

The species is declining in the wild; it is estimated that only about 3,000 remain.

Head keeper of ungulates Lisa Watkins said “We are all over the moon with the safe arrival of a Grevy’s zebra foal after what has been a long wait. Every birth is important, as these zebras are endangered in the wild, with 90% of the population being found in northern Kenya. Threats include hunting, habitat loss and in recent years severe drought.

“All animals born at the park this year have names beginning with the letter M, so we have decided to call him Manilow, Manny for short, which keepers thought worked well alongside his big sister’s name, Lola.”

Picture by Matthew Lissimore (Image credit: MATTHEW LISSIMORE)

Grevy’s are the largest of the zebra species, weighing between 350kg and 450kg as adults, and the rarest. Foals are born with reddish-brown stripes, which darken as they get older.

West Midlands Safari Park’s Grevy’s zebra are part of a European programme dedicated to conserving endangered species, as part of which the park has donated funds to the Grevy’s Zebra Trust, to help with conservation efforts in the wild.

Manny will soon be introduced to those who share his home on the safari, which include white rhinos, antelope, Congo buffalo and giraffes.

“Both mum and foal are thriving and Manilow is getting used to his surroundings, plus Lola is delighted to have a playmate,” Ms Watkins said. “We hope that guests will get to see them out on the safari soon, weather dependent.”

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‘Everybody loved Ida’: final farewell to rare-breed mare with a beautiful character

Lucy Elder — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 17:00:13 +0000

The owner of the much-loved Cholderton Ida has paid tribute to the successful rare-breed mare who has died aged 18.

During her career, Jo Strange’s mare was twice crowned Cleveland Bay breed champion and also took the Cleveland Bay champion title at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

In recent months, she won the purebred ridden Cleveland Bay class and was reserve ridden Cleveland Bay at the Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain National Hunter Championship Show in August.

“She was not a world beater, but everybody loved Ida,” Jo told H&H.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Ida was bred by Henry Edmunds at Cholderton Stud, near Andover. She had a quiet start to life and had her own foal before joining Jo as a nine-year-old.

“I was looking for a cob at the time, but thought ‘I’ll go and have a look’,” she said.

Ida quickly took to her new career, with success at major fixtures and breed shows, under side-saddle, and blossomed into the “ultimate all-rounder”.

“She had lovely manners and galloped like stink, which immediately took people by surprise,” said Jo.

She hunted with the South Downs Bloodhounds and the Staff College Drag. Jo had also been in discussions with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) with a view to Ida becoming an RDA horse after her planned retirement from showing this year, such was her exceptional nature.

Jo added that one of her “proudest moments” was Ida giving a friend in her 80s the opportunity to carry on riding and to compete at the 2018 National Side-Saddle Show, where she won the restricted turn-out class.

“She was the ultimate amateur’s horse,” said Jo. “She was everybody’s friend. She was the nicest horse. Even my elderly friends, they would all come for a ride with me if Ida was available.”

She recalled how Ida was the “alpha mare in the herd in a quiet, understated kind of way”, keeping a close eye on youngsters, and is even credited with helping teach a friend’s horse to travel confidently.

“If she can get some other people interested in the breed, she will have left her mark, and that’s what she deserves,” said Jo.

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(Image credit: Jo Strange)

‘A great moment’: celebration as critically endangered foal born in UK

Becky Murray — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 19:51:54 +0000

A safari park has hailed the birth of a Somali wild ass foal in the UK as a “great moment” for the critically endangered species.

Somali wild ass mare Lahra gave birth to a healthy foal at Knowsley Safari, Merseyside, on 10 August.

The colt, who is yet to be named, is believed to be the first male of his species born in the UK this year. He joins his father Hansi at the park.

Knowsley Safari animal keepers said Lahra is an “extremely proud mum”, and keeping her distance from the other females in the group so she can protect and bond with her foal.

The Somali wild ass is a subspecies of the African wild ass and classed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with only a few hundred left in the wild. They are found in restricted parts of the Ethiopian desert and northeast Eritrean mountains, and known for their blue-grey coat, light-coloured bellies and distinctive black-striped legs.

A Knowsley Safari spokesperson described them as an “extremely resilient species”, that survive in harsh habitats by feeding on thorny bushes and tough grasses.

“However, with limited access to water and food and being increasingly hunted for food and medicinal beliefs, the species has been facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild since its severe decline in the 1970s,” the spokesperson said.

“Estimates suggest there are just 200 mature individuals left, so urgent action is needed to save this species before it disappears completely. Captive breeding programmes are extremely important for Somali wild ass and the addition of even one new foal is a huge boost for its ever-dwindling population.”

Lindsay Banks, Knowsley Safari ungulates team manager, said the foal’s birth is a “great moment” for the park and the wider species.

“There are so few in the world because they’re threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and competition with domestic livestock for resources. It means breeding programmes like ours are crucial for the species’ survival. If they stopped, Somali wild ass could face extinction,” she said.

“Somali wild ass are often mistaken for donkeys, but they are a fabulous species in their own right and deserve more awareness and appreciation. I’m sure visitors will grow to love Somali wild ass as much as we do when they get to watch our new bundle of energy give his mum the run around on the safari drive.”

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From Inca Orchids to Dandie Dinmonts, how well do you know the world’s rarest dog breeds?

Martha Terry — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 10:27:02 +0000

Rarity has connotations of high value, unusualness and being hard to find – like diamonds and four-leaf clovers. However when it comes to rare dog breeds, it’s typically a simple case of supply and demand. While it is true that litter size varies according to breed and season, overall, if there is a demand for puppies of a certain breed, breeders will provide.

Another reason for breeds being rare is that they are a newly recognised or accepted breed under kennel club regulations, which means that it will take a few years for registrations to gather momentum. On the other end of the scale, some of the older breeds are dwindling as their original purpose is now obsolete. For example, the prohibition of otter-hunting has stymied the otterhound, while the protection of the puffin means the Norwegian Lundehund – whose job was to flush puffins from their nests – is at risk of extinction.

Adding a spanner into the works are those breeds that have their own registration system, for example greyhounds and foxhounds. This skews statistics because most other breeds will have the majority of their puppies registered with their national kennel club.

And so, effectively, the rarest dog breeds in the world are those with the fewest puppy registrations annually. Let’s take a look at some of these breeds who might not top any popularity contest, but have their own charm and history.

21 rare dog breeds you may never have heard of

2RXAMXA 3 three puppies, otter hound, otter dog, running dogs, sweat dogs, 3 three puppies scent hounds, sweat dogs (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

1. Otterhound

The most endangered native dog breed in Britain, with just 18 puppy registrations in 2023, and fewer than 1,000 in existence in the whole world. This hound was bred to hunt otter in medieval times, but has been threatened since 1978 when otterhunting was banned.

TCK1AH Cute pharaoh hound close up. Kelb tal-Fenek or rabbit dog. Pet animals. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

2. Pharaoh Hound

An elegant, graceful dog with a smiley face – they curl their lips when they’re happy! This hound was bred to course small game, and its heritage has roots in ancient Egypt and Malta. The breed is one of the oldest recorded domesticated dogs.

JAMMDC Norwegian Lundehund,grass, (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

3. Norwegian Lundehund

“Lunde” means puffin in Norwegian, and this hound is unique in being bred to hunt puffins – with six toes instead of the usual canine four to give them traction on steep rocks. Now that puffins are a protected species, the Lundehund’s existence is under threat, though it makes a fun and adventurous pet.

2N09KN0 A plott is shown in the ring during the Hound group competition during the 140th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

4. Plott Hound

This brindled scenthound is native to the US, though it descends from German hounds brought over by an immigrant named Johannes Plott. It was bred for bear and boar-hunting and is a hunting dog through and through. Although the Plott Hound is the state dog of North Carolina, it is extremely rare outside the Carolina states.

KDBCH1 Female kooikerhondje / kooiker hound, a small dutch dog breed used in duck hunting in the Netherlands, in Sweden. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

5. Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

A delightful little sporty dog hailing from the Netherlands. Like a diminutive spaniel, this silky dog with large tipped ears and a feathered tail was bred to lure ducks into traps – kooikers being the men who operated the traps, and hondje meaning dog. It has been close to extinction at times during the last century but is now building in popularity even outside its homeland.

BP70PF Glen of Imaal Terrier (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

6. Glen of Imaal Terrier

This Irish terrier, which was bred to hunt badger, had only 58 puppy registrations in the UK in 2023, putting it in the vulnerable category as one of the world’s rare dog breeds.

Bold, spirited, and with an endearing scruffy look, this is a tough little terrier breed built to work, but also makes a wonderful addition to a household.

P7NY17 Irish Red and White Setter, male standing in meadow (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

7. Irish Red and White Setter

Not to be confused with the far more abundant Red Setter, the patchy red and white version from across the Irish Sea is listed as a vulnerable breed. Like his setter cousins, this fun-loving and high-spirited dog is renowned for standing frozen on point when he has found game, to show hunters (falconers, traditionally) the location.

BE3DDP Komondor, Hungarian shepherd dog, standing on a rock (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

8. Komondor

Also known as the Mop Dog, this Hungarian Sheepdog has a remarkable corded coat, much like dreadlocks. The cords are said to protect these guardians of the flock from wolf bites as well as the cold. This is a large, independent and protective guard-dog, so an experienced handler is essential.

HFG53G Bergamasco Sheepdog or Bergamese Shepherd, Adult standing on Grass (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

9. Bergamasco Sheepdog

Ideal for cold climates, as this shaggy mountain dog was developed to work outside in the sub-zero temperatures of the Italian Alps. Their fur is made of three textures to give ultimate protection against the cold, frost and snow.

2EJMX72 Majestic Dog with Blue eyes on a walk on the lake in the water during sunset (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

10. Chinook

A sled dog par excellence, this breed was developed in New Hampshire, US, by an explorer, Arthur Treadwell Walden, and is strong, speedy and full of stamina. The breed is named after the explorer’s favourite sled dog (and stud), and they are known for being sweet and affectionate as well as powerful hauling dogs.

BKNYGK Peruvian Inca Orchid (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

11. Peruvian Inca Orchid

This breed is distinctive for its lack of hair – typically it just has a tuft on its head and sometimes feet. Their skin is very sensitive to temperatures, both hot and cold, so needs careful management.

These elegant sighthounds with ears “shaped like candle flames” aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Unsurprisingly, given the British climate, they are virtually unheard of here – but they are excellent hunters, and nowadays excel at agility and coursing. They are also affectionate, noble, alert and loyal to their family – very similar in character to the whippet or greyhound.

2X3X3KA Portrait of Three Cirneco dell Etna dogs in outdoors. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

12. Cirneco dell’Etna

Like many of the graceful sighthounds that originated in Egypt, the Cirneco is an ancient coursing hound with a sleek, sandy coat, large ears and a lean, athletic physique. This particular breed has its roots in Sicily, hence the name Etna, and is well adapted to hot climates, being tough and able to run for hours without needing water. And, when he’s not out on the chase, he’s likely to be fast asleep – this breed knows the importance of its beauty sleep!

2C0468W Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. French basset hound dog smelling the grass. Full length profile picture of this pedigree dog sniffing the ground in prey (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

13. Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen

A shaggy French hound – a Gallic version of the Basset Hound – which was originally used for hunting all sorts of game, from rabbits to boar. It’s a short-legged breed, developed to be work alongside hunters on foot rather than horseback (so were primarily a hound for the lower classes back in the day), and has a face full of character, complete with bushy eyebrows, moustache and beard.

M275FR joshua of grey mesa, canaan dog (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

14. Canaan Dog

This rugged and lean breed has a look of the wild, however they are naturally trainable. It’s an ancient breed which has guarded camps and flocks in the Middle East since time immemorial. Today, the Canaan is the national dog of Israel, and one of the first to be registered with the American Kennel Club. They excel as sniffer dogs, service dogs, at agility and other competitive sports when well trained, but they are one of the world’s rare dog breeds despite this. They have innate skills of protection and are wary of strangers, which make them excellent guard dogs.

JHC747 A Sloughi (Arabian greyhound) runs in the desert of Morocco. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

15. Sloughi

A lean and speedy sighthound, hailing from North Africa, who can run at similar speeds to the greyhound, making it one of the fastest dog breeds on the planet.

Very closely related to the Saluki, but you can tell the difference in that the Sloughi is always smooth-coated and slightly larger.

DY2K8P Dog Belgian shepherd Laekenois adult sitting (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

16. Belgian Laekenois

Of the four Belgian shepherd dog breeds, the Laekenois is the rarest. Like its cousins (the Malinois, Groenendael and Tervueren), the Laekenois was developed to guard flocks, but was also used as a wartime messenger and today as a police/military service dog.

The Laekenois is distinctive among this quartet for its frizzy coat.

2GFFMM2 azawakh running lure coursing competition on green field (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

17. Azawakh

A West African sighthound bred for coursing game in the desert and moving around the Sahel with their nomad owners as loyal companions. Lean, tough and athletic, and despite its elegant physique, this is a resilient and rugged dog.

2H7RJJ0 Sussex Spaniel (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

18. Sussex Spaniel

Most land spaniels don’t bark much, but the Sussex Spaniel is the exception – they love to show off their full vocal range! With their unique golden liver coat, calm temperaments and affectionate personalities, it may be a surprise that this is the rarest of all the land spaniels.

BM3J10 stehender Cesky Terrier (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

19. Cesky Terrier

A plucky terrier from the Czech Republic with a distinguished look owing to its charming facial hair and silky fur. Fun, adventurous and a great family pet but little known outside his homeland. Among the six rarest canine breeds in the world.

TR6C64 Finnish Spitz (Canis lupus f. familiaris), portrait in the morning sun, side view, Finland, Lapland (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

20. Finnish Spitz

Nicknamed Finkies or Finns, these are affectionate, fox-like dogs bred to hunt game birds in Finland. They have a unique hunting method, whereby they track down the bird using their noses, then attract the bird’s attention by wagging their tail and barking. This typically freezes the bird while the hunter catches up.

2JBFNHK Dandie Dinmont (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

21. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Originally used for hunting badger and otter, this fun little terrier loves to dig. They have an appealing physique, with short legs holding a long, sausage-shaped body, and a silky puff of hair on top of their head.

They owe their names to a fictional farmer in a Walter Scott novel, who was based on a real person who owned two of this type of terrier, named Mustard and Pepper – which have neatly become the only permitted colours of the breed.

Although Dandie Dinmonts are numbered among the world’s rare dog breeds, they have a very loyal following.

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‘It has been a long wait’: delight as endangered foal born in Britain

Lucy Elder — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 06:47:44 +0000

Conservationists are celebrating the birth of an endangered Grevy’s zebra foal in the UK and are “cautiously optimistic” for the future of the breed in the wild.

The three-day-old foal was born at Marwell Zoo and keepers say its mother Khumba is “doing an exceptional job caring for her new arrival”.

Marwell has a significant role in shaping Kenya’s national conservation strategy for this rare breed. It manages both the international studbook and the European Ex-situ Programme (EEP) for Grevy’s zebras, which is a breeding and conservation plan for wild animals living in European zoos.

“As EEP coordinator, I am very excited about the birth of this Grevy’s foal on Monday morning,” said Tanya Langenhorst, senior conservation biologist at Marwell.

“It has been a long wait since this species is pregnant for a minimum of 13 months. The EEP has been through several tough years with many older animals dying and only few foals being born.

“The European population currently only has 208 individuals. I am trying to grow it back to 250 so every foal counts and this one born at Marwell is only the fifth to be born this year.”

Marwell has not yet shared if the new arrival is a filly or a colt.

Grevy’s zebra are found primarily in northern Kenya with isolated groups in Ethiopia. It is thought fewer than 3,000 remain.

Numbers declined because of habitat loss, drought and poaching, but it is thought the population is now stabilising.

“The Grevy’s zebra in the wild, in Kenya, are doing reasonably well with many reports of births,” she said.

“We are cautiously optimistic that the wild population has survived the terrible drought that lasted over two years, when Marwell and its partners in Kenya worked hard to keep them alive with supplementary hay feeding.”

Phil Robbins, hoofstock team leader at Marwell, added: “The foal was born on Monday morning and has been running around in the paddock, staying close to Khumba who is a very good mother. She is being extremely protective and attentive towards the foal.”

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Joy as world’s rarest equid born in the UK

Becky Murray — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 16:04:31 +0000

A UK zoo is celebrating the birth of a healthy onager foal – the world’s rarest equid – with hopes his arrival will “help safeguard this charismatic species”.

This summer Chester Zoo’s onager mare Azita gave birth to Jasper, following a year-long pregnancy.

“Onagers are the most threatened equid species in the world and one of the rarest animals that we care for here at the zoo, so we’re absolutely delighted a new foal has been born – he’ll help to boost global numbers of this little-known species,” said Mike Jordan, Chester Zoo’s animal and plant director.

“The leggy youngster is doing very well and Azita is doing a fantastic job of nurturing and bonding with her new charge. He’s full of energy and enjoys playfully kicking up sand as he races around his habitat.”

Onager mare Azita gave birth to Jasper at Chester Zoo this summer. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The onager is an Asiatic wild ass, which lives in the semi-desert regions of Iran. Similar wild asses were “once found in abundance” across the deserts of Mongolia, China, and Iran, but very few species remain.

Onagers now only survive in two small protected areas of Iran, with only around 600 believed to be left in the wild.

“They have suffered at the hands of illegal poaching, overgrazing, drought and disease passed from farm animals which has resulted in their numbers plummeting by more than 50% in the past two decades alone, leaving just 600 in the wild today,” said a Chester Zoo spokesperson.

“As a result, the species has been listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature – facing a very high chance of extinction.”

Chester Zoo is the only zoo in the UK, and one of very few in the world, that works with onagers owing to the “challenges of breeding and caring for the rare equids”.

“With numbers having declined so rapidly in the wild, and the species now teetering on the edge of existence in Iran, it’s sadly very possible that onagers could become extinct in the wild within our lifetime,” said Mike.

“That’s why we’re part of an international conservation breeding programme, to ensure there’s a viable safety-net population of onager in zoos. In time, Jasper will go on to contribute to these efforts, helping to safeguard this charismatic species and preserve options for their conservation into the future.”

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Four endangered breed fillies born in Britain: ‘All foals are doing well’

Lucy Elder — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:22:55 +0000

A British zoo is celebrating a “baby boom” as four endangered breed Przewalski’s horse foals were born safely to mares in its resident herd.

The fillies were born at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire in May and June.

Przewalski’s horses were extinct in the wild as recently as 2008. Breeding and conservation programmes have resulted in the breed being reintroduced to certain areas in the wild, and the population is increasing.

“All the foals are doing well and can often be seen lying or sunbathing in the valley field close by the rest of the herd,” said Erin Luter, hoofstock animal keeper at Marwell Zoo.

“These horses that were previously listed extinct in the wild, are an example of how zoo breeding programmes can help restore threatened species around the world.”

(Image credit: Paul Webber)

She added: “Thanks to breeding programmes like ours at Marwell, they can now be found in reintroduction sites in Mongolia and China and have been downlisted to endangered.”

The first foal was born to Lena, on 3 May, and has been named Zaela, which means mystical or fierce in Mongolian.

Shara, named after a mountain in Mongolia, was the second foal to arrive. She was born to Tsetseg on 11 May.

The other two foals were born a day apart – Bilüü arrived to Tuya on 12 June and Ereen to Speranza on 13 June. Their names are both cities in Mongolia.

All the Przewalski’s horses alive today are descended from 12 individuals. They were declared extinct in the wild for almost 40 years, between 1969 and 2008. Current estimates suggest that there are now 178 mature horses living in the wild.

Shock as popular Welsh section B put on rare breeds ‘at risk’ register

Lucy Elder — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:11:02 +0000

The Welsh section B has been classified as “rare” for the first time, following a decline in numbers.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) released its 2024–25 watch list today (17 April). A sustained decline in Welsh section B dams producing registered progeny – from 1,044 in 2009 to below 400 in 2023 – that the breed is now considered to be rare.

The watch list uses a traffic-light system to identify breeds of most and least concern. These are “priority” (red), “at risk” (amber) and “UK breeds” (green).

The RBST approached the Welsh Pony & Cob Society (WPCS) last year, as part of a native equine conservation project. The society provided the trust with data for all the Welsh breed sections, and the section B has now been highlighted as being “at risk”. The two organisations are collaborating to help reverse the decline.

WPCS chairman Ed Gummery welcomed the results of the RBST’s research into populations of Welsh breeds, adding that the findings relating to the section B are “particularly thought-provoking”.

“Our breed society has reached a crossroads affected by many global factors, but is the first time any of the Welsh sections have been recorded as ‘at risk’ on the RBST watch list since the Welsh mountain hill pony some 25 years ago, and this presents a further challenge,” said Mr Gummery.

“As a society, we will be using the RBST’s findings to positive effect, and are already looking at ways to promote the breed, which will instantly trigger the anticipated review of some recent show decisions as the society had been awaiting this expected report and digested the subsequent findings.

“Urgent and priority reconsideration must now be given to encourage breeding programmes and to ensure that we encourage exhibitors of Welsh section Bs continue to come forward to our affiliated events to showcase their stock.”

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said the watch list process helps the trust “pick up on concerning trends early, such as the marked decline in section B dams”.

“The section B Welsh pony is a fantastic breed, really intelligent and adaptable, well suited for children but also at home in the show ring or driving,” He said. “Its addition to the watch list today is the start of an increase in activity in collaboration with breed societies, conservationists, farm parks and the wider RBST membership to help reverse this decline.”

There is positive news for the New Forest, Dartmoor and Exmoor breeds in this year’s watch list. The “at risk” New Forest pony is “performing very well” and the RBST said if current trends continue, it “could move out of the rare categories in coming years”.

Stable numbers have been recorded for Dartmoor ponies, solidifying the positive trends and genetic diversity improvements that resulted in its move from the “priority” to “at risk” categories in last year’s watchlist. Exmoor ponies have also had “a welcome improvement”, as the number of dams has increased by 28% from 2022 to 2024.

Mr Price said the improvements reflect the “strong successes” of breeding programmes and conservation activities of recent years.

“This good news is testament to the dedication of all those working with rare breeds, and the growing appreciation among keepers, riders, land managers and the public that our native equines are great, versatile breeds for modern times,” he said.

The Cleveland Bay, Suffolk, Hackney, Dales and Eriskay pony remain among the most vulnerable, with work continuing to support and promote these breeds.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

‘It’s different’: mixed reaction from showing world to HOYS judging announcement

Becky Murray — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 20:33:43 +0000

There has been a mixed reaction from the showing community as the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) judging panel is confirmed.

HOYS organisers Grandstand Media unveiled a “new approach” to the 2024 judge announcement process, as the show celebrates its 75th year. A range of judges from across the world have been invited, and although the 15 judges who comprise “the main contingent” have been named, who is judging each section will not be revealed until the morning of each final. There will be some additional judges confirmed nearer the time.

A Grandstand Media spokesman said they are “always considering ways to adapt and modernise, with a focus on equal opportunity within the sport”. The spokesman added that if any competitors believe they have a conflict of interest with a judge, evidence should be emailed to the show secretary.

“As a historic event, Grandstand Media is conscious of the heritage and traditions of HOYS, but also feel it is necessary to be continually looking at the future to ensure integrity within the judging process,” said the spokesman.

Some are in favour of the shake-up – but others have raised concerns.

Producer and judge Vicky Smith told H&H she believes people should be “more open to change”.

“It’s different, but it’s the 75th anniversary. For me it’s just an honour if we get the chance to compete there, we should embrace that and not worry too much about the outcome. People seem to be getting upset about something they’ve not qualified for yet,” she said.

“I’ve judged at the South African HOYS, and I was made to feel so welcome and they were grateful I was there, so I hope everybody’s the same here.”

Native pony producer Aimee Devane is not in favour.

“I don’t see how that’s any fairer than knowing who it is all year. It’s taking away our choice to go under someone that we may not necessarily choose to be judged by,” she told H&H, adding that she is concerned that if a conflict of interest is disclosed about a native pony judge on the list, a judge without specialist native pony experience could end up judging those classes.

“I’m not criticising the foreign judges, and they might have some native experience, but do they have experience of our rare breeds?”

Amateur producer Hayley Erner told H&H she could see positives and negatives.

“My initial reaction was a bit of a shock. I’m used to knowing who the judge is and preparing my horse for what the judge will like, as different judges like different things,” she said.

“Looking at it from the other side, everything that is there has qualified to be there, so if it’s really the true package, it’s going to have the correct conformation so that’s the ‘type’ box ticked, and then the ideal show horse should have the right temperament to adjust to the rider, so I applaud Grandstand for doing something a bit different.”

H&H has contacted Grandstand Media for comment.

‘What a result for the breed’: Suffolk Punch mare lifts SEIB Search For A Star championship

Alex Robinson — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 18:16:38 +0000

A Suffolk Punch mare came to the fore to take the 2023 Search For A Star supreme championship at Your Horse Live (11 November).

Andrea Hoskin’s delightful four-year-old Holbeache Scarlet reigned supreme after lifting the inaugural SFAS heavy horse in-hand accolade the previous day, handled throughout by Brad Auker.

Scarlet was bought by Andrea as a weaned foal from her breeder, Mike Clarke, and she is now one of five broodmares owned by breed enthusiast Andrea. Brad works as head horseman at Andrea’s stud.

Andrea first forayed into Suffolk Punches 12 years ago, though Brad is new to the heavy horse scene, having previously worked with thoroughbreds.

“Winning was such a shock; the championship was a fantastic display of lovely in-hand and ridden ponies and horses,” Andrea said. “Scarlet looked magnificent in the ring, and she’s impressive due to her size, but I never expected her to take the championship. The result made me cry happy tears. I am truly honoured.

“This is such an accolade for the profile of the breed, too,” Andrea continued. “It’s an exciting time for the Suffolk Punch, and a big thank you to SEIB for including the heavies in their schedule.”

Scarlett is in foal for 2024 to NewPole Maurice. She qualified for Your Horse Live at Arena UK.

In 2022 she stood supreme champion at Suffolk show and she is also a former Rutland County champion and Royal Norfolk winner.

“Scarlet is a very easy, sweet mare,” said Andrea. “She always has her ears on and she thinks forward.”

Nicola Clarey and her own Dales Nipna Outrageous finish as reserve supreme. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Also achieving for the rare breeds was the Dales gelding Nipna Outrageous, who finished reserve in the 2023 Search For A Star supreme championship, owned and ridden by Nicola Clarey.

Nicola bought “Ray” from his breeder Julie Pennell when he was weanling.

By Castlehill Black Jack, Ray is a six-year-old out of the Pennell’s prolific ridden mare Nipna Damask Rose.

“This is his first season and he was only backed last year,” said Nicola.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Britain’s native horses are ‘the Swiss army knife of equines’ – and we must celebrate them

Becky Murray — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:02:42 +0000

Native breeds are the “Swiss army knife of equines” and calls have been made to help promote their versatility.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) held a webinar on 7 September to discuss findings from the first year of its equine conservation project, funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board. The aim of the three-year project is to “significantly improve” the ability to support breed societies and breeders in the conservation status of native equine breeds.

“It’s about raising the profile of these breeds and their versatility and showing that they are the Swiss army knife of equines, and not everybody needs to have a high-flying competition animal when we’ve got everything that we’ve got in the native breeds,” said Andrea Parry-Jones, RBST conservation adviser.

As part of the work population reports were created using data from studbooks and breed societies, and a public reproduction survey was carried out to understand issues breeders are facing, and create plans to help.

The benefits of the RBST gene bank were discussed including the ability to recreate breeding lines if they become lost, and semen storage. Semen analysis was carried out on 62 historical samples held in the gene bank, to ensure the quality of what is stored is suitable and to help with breeding decisions.

“By using this information we can make decisions on whether semen is fit for purpose in terms of being able to be used in the future, and we can also make decisions when we look at adding new stallions to the gene bank,” said Tom Blunt, RBST senior conservation adviser.

The need to promote the versatility of the breeds was highlighted, with calls to “shout about” native breeds and their different jobs and successes.

“It’s shouting about the breed itself and making sure the knowledge is out there that the animal can do it. We need to promote their current uses rather than what they used to be,” said Ms Parry-Jones. “The most important thing is to celebrate success.”

Year two of the project will focus on what influences breeding decisions, with the aim of producing a “best practice toolkit” for breed societies. Year three will look at the wider role of native equines in society and encouraging their use.

Young breeders on a mission to protect and prevent rare native breed from ‘dying out‘

Alex Robinson — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:59:49 +0000

A group of young Fell pony enthusiasts are putting steps in place to “prevent the breed from dying out” by encouraging enthusiasts to get involved with the breed.

The Fell Pony Society Next Generation Group, formerly known as the Fell Pony Society Young Person’s Group was started in 2015, with a rebrand and name change in 2021.

“In 2021, we reevaluated the group, including removing the age cap to be more inclusive; the events are for anyone of any age who wants to learn about or get involved with Fell ponies,” said group chair Stacy Longrigg, who breeds under the Horngill prefix.

The Fell pony is currently classified as an at-risk rare breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

The Next Generation Group, which does not require a membership, aims to host educational events such as stud visits, information days and discussions across the country throughout the year.

On 13 August the group held an open day at the Potter family’s Greenholme Fell Pony Stud in Cumbria. They welcomed over 80 visitors. Anyone interested can find more information online.

“It provided an amazing opportunity to see the semi-feral Greenholme ponies in their natural surroundings,” said Stacy. “The ponies were marked up and everyone was given a sheet with their information on. We were lucky enough to see three stallions, four yearling colts and mares with their foals who had come in from the fell. The ponies took in the visitors very well despite being used to living in a natural environment with little human interference.

“There were also picture boards showcasing just a few of the successful Greenholme ponies bred over the years, including the main stallions and mares used at the stud.

“There were stud books and sales catalogues from past and present, the Fell pony breed standard, information on foal immunodeficiency syndrome, as well as books about Fell ponies and the Fell Pony Society centenary.

“We also benefited from a group discussion where we asked for thoughts on the best way to gather knowledge and information about the breed. The general consensus was that more people need to be talking, and listening.”

Joy as British zoo welcomes birth of previously extinct breed foal

Lucy Elder — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 18:28:11 +0000

A British zoo is celebrating the exciting new arrival of a rare Przewalski’s horse foal.

The breed was extinct in the wild from 1969 to 2008, so foals are a cause for celebration.

The foal was born to dam Tsetseg, at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, on 15 April and is reported to be doing well.

“Tsetseg is a very good mum and her foal has been seen feeding well,” said Katie Foulkes, hoofstock assistant animal keeper at Marwell.

“She is separating herself and the foal from the group slightly, which is perfectly normal, and shows that she is being very protective.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Przewalski’s horses are listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s red list of threatened species. The population is increasing as a result of zoo breeding programmes.

The foal, who is yet to be named, will become part of the European Ex-Situ breeding programme, a population management programme involving multiple zoos.

The new foal can be seen alongside last year’s arrival, Basil, in the zoo’s valley field, which visitors can see from the balcony of its Café Graze.

All Przewalski’s horses alive today are descended from 12 captive individuals, after the population in the wild was declared extinct. In the past, they would have been found from the Russian Steppes to Kazakhstan, Mongolia and northern China.

British rare breed’s eventing prowess celebrated with performance award

Becky Murray — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 06:33:42 +0000

A hackney gelding with a love of cross-country is flying the flag for the rare British breed as he demonstrates just how versatile these horses can be.

East Yorkshire-based Emily Gautier’s 16-year-old Skelton Romeo has been awarded the Hackney Horse Society’s 2022 performance award. The award, which relaunched this year, aims to recognise the achievements of hackneys taking part in different sports, as the society aims to raise awareness of the breed’s suitability for a variety of disciplines and as good all-rounders. Previous award winners include hackneys who have excelled in dressage and showjumping.

Emily Gautiers bought 15.2hh Romeo four years ago as a general riding and hacking horse.

“I didn’t purposefully look for a hackney as I had no experience of the breed, and I’d always thought they were mostly used for showing,” she said.

“Romeo hadn’t done much when I got him home and to start with he couldn’t even walk over a pole, but he was very gentle and willing.”

Emily said taking Romeo cross-country schooling for the first time last year really “brought him out” and allowed him to shine.

“He loved cross-country from the start and he is really good at ditches and banks. It sounds cliche but he learned to trust me,” she said.

“Two months after our first schooling session I took him to our first British Eventing competition at Norton Disney – and last season we didn’t have any cross-country jumping penalties.”

This year Emily and Romeo have been competing at BE90 and under-18s classes, and they hope to step up to BE100 next year.

“It’s funny as I always mention on the commentary sheets that he’s a hackney and the commentators always sound surprised and like they’re having to re-check his breeding when they read it out,” said Emily.

In the 2022/23 Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s watchlist the hackney horse and pony features in the “priority” category and the trust issued a warning about the breed’s uncertain future, after only 31 registered foals were born this year.

Emily said she is keen to help promote the breed and show how versatile they are.

“I’m really proud that Romeo is a hackney, especially as I haven’t heard of many others eventing. He’s never lame or ill, and I’ve never had a horse like him. He absolutely loves his work,” she said.

The Cleveland Bay: the versatile breed adapting through the ages to the needs of man

Martha Terry — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 06:02:47 +0000

The Cleveland Bay horse is said to be England’s oldest horse breed, which has adapted through the ages to become the versatile breed we know today. Whether the fashion of the day was ploughing fields on the farm, pulling coaches of the nobility or the family cart, to being successful in the current sporting disciplines, the Cleveland Bay has retained its traditional quality while transforming to fit the requirements of each era.

In this article: History | Royal connection | Conformation | Temperament

History

Although the official history of the Cleveland Bay dates from 1884, when the Cleveland Bay Horse Society was founded, the breed’s roots go back centuries.

The breed’s name comes from where the horse is believed to have originated, the Cleveland Hills in Yorkshire, in the north-east of England – combined with the horse’s colour.

Back in mediaeval times in Yorkshire, there were clean-legged bays used for both riding and as pack horses. As they transported goods of the travelling salesmen, who were known in those times as “chapmen”, these horses were initially called Chapman horses. Their role developed over the years to become the horse of choice for pulling coaches when these became mainstream, thanks to their strength, endurance and quality. This was a tough and versatile horse, as adept at working in the fields as pulling a carriage.

As the standard in roads developed, a faster horse was required and so hot-blooded stallions descended from the early thoroughbreds, Barbs and Arabs were used on Cleveland mares, which added fineness and speed to this traditional breed. In turn, warmbloods such as the Oldenburg have used Cleveland Bay stallions to improve their bloodlines. Nowadays they are often crossed with thoroughbred bloodlines to produce sport horses.

Naturally, as the era of the coach horse dwindled and railways developed in the 19th century, the Cleveland Bay became more and more redundant. The Cleveland Bay Horse Society was formed in 1884 to preserve and promote the breed which has throughout the past 150 years been to various degrees at risk of extinction.

A helping royal hand

While the 1880s signalled trouble for the future of the Cleveland Bay in the UK, the breed was establishing itself in the US, which imported thousands of these horses. Across the pond, coaching was becoming increasingly popular as a pastime, and this outstanding coach horse was in hot demand. However, its popularity was short-lived and began to decline. To make matters worse, back in Europe thousands were being killed in the world wars on the battlefields, where they were a great asset pulling the artillery.

At the end of World War II, there were only a handful of stallions in England, and few mares. Soon after this, in the early 60s, The Queen stepped in. Her grandfather George V had been a Cleveland Bay breeder and when one of the rare Cleveland Bay colts, a horse named Mulgrave Supreme, was set to be exported, The Queen bought him. Mulgrave Supreme was made available at public stud, and this marked a resurgence in Cleveland Bay breeding, with his progeny proving competitive across the disciplines.

The Cleveland Bay/thoroughbred part-bred can make a good sports horse (Image credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images)

The Queen continues to work to promote the breed, and uses them in her own carriage-breeding programme. She is also patron of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society.

The popularity of the breed has continued to ebb and flow with numbers of breeding stallions dropping to critical levels at various points in its history. However, thanks to the efforts of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society and its breeding programmes, the Cleveland Bay has survived. Yet it is still at risk – along with 11 other of Britain’s 14 native breeds.

Nowadays, this British breed is popular all over the world, especially in Australian and the US. In Pakistan, Cleveland Bays are the only breed of horse used to pull state carriages and are also used in government work.

Conformation of the Cleveland Bay

This is a medium-sized semi-draft horse, similar in build to a warmblood, with clean legs and no feather. They look like a quality, substantial hunter showing dignity and strength.

Height: 16hh–16.2hh

Colour: they are traditionally bay with black points, and the only white marking permitted is a small white star. However, since 2005 horses outside this breed standard can still be registered to protect their genetic value to the breed, but this will be noted in their passport/studbook. Legs that are not black to the knee and hocks are regarded as a colour fault

Body: wide and deep, with a compact and strong back. Sloping, muscular shoulders; level and powerful quarters

Head: bold and of a decent size rather than fine; carried on a long, lean neck, with large, fine ears

Limbs: nine inches-plus bone below the knee. Legs should be clear of superfluous hair and clean and hard. Muscular upper legs, with large knees and hocks

Feet: a significant feature of the breeds, should be excellent quality and blue in colour – never shallow or narrow

Action: free, good-moving horse with sufficient shoulder and knee/hock flexion. High action is not characteristic – they should cover the ground

The Cleveland Bay characteristically is bay with very little no white, and black points above the knee and hock (Image credit: De Agostini via Getty Images)

Temperament

The Cleveland Bay is typically a docile, sensible character with a placid temperament. They tend to be well-disciplined, mannerly and easy to train – but as all horse owners know, every horse is an individual and how they turn out is down to many influences, from breeding to training, genetics and character.

Its hallmark is its versatility – it can turn its hoof to all disciplines, as it has shown through its need to adapt through the ages to the changing face of civilisation.

The Hackney: the history and endangered status of this dynamic British breed

Martha Terry — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 12:02:18 +0000

The flashy Hackney horse is renowned for its spectacular high-stepping trot under harness. However, despite its impressive gaits, natural athleticism and straight action, the breed is classified at risk.

Although they are famous for their ability in harness, their agility, flair and activity make them an enjoyable riding horse, too, particularly when crossed with other sport horse breeds. However, probably due to the fact that they are endangered, pure-bred Hackneys are not a common sight under saddle.

In this article: History | Conformation | Movement | Royal approval

History

The Hackney was developed in England in the 18th century by crossing the Norfolk and Yorkshire Roadsters (trotting harness horses) with the thoroughbred. This produced a stylish carriage horse breed with a flashy trot for which the breed is renowned today. The Hackney Horse Society was formed in 1883 to promote Hackney breeding and is still in operation today, maintaining the studbook and holding two Hackney shows a year.

As the state of the roads improved in the 17th century, a faster type of carriage horse was in demand, leading to the introduction of thoroughbred bloodlines. These high-stepping horses became a status symbol, coupled with their ability to trot at high speed for long periods. They are still known to be characteristically tough, hardy and sound horses.

Quality thoroughbred stallions were influential on the breed, including their most significant foundation sire, Shales – also known as Original Shales and Old Shales. He was a grandson of the unbeaten Flying Childers.

Today the Hackney horse is classified as critical by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. In 2022, the RBST declared there were just 12 stallions and 31 broodmares left in the UK. However, the Hackney has been exported to other countries, such as the US.

A Hackney mare and foal – but the breed is at risk due to low numbers of broodmares and stallions (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Conformation and looks

The general impression should be of poise and muscular elegance, with an alert and active outlook
They can be a range of solid colours, and can have white markings on their face and legs. Bay, followed by black, are the most common, with chestnut fairly rare.
The Hackney is a medium-sized horse, typically standing at a maximum of 16hh
Head and neck: while standing, the Hackney should have its head and neck raised. The head should have a straight or slightly convex profile with eyes set wide apart. Ears should be well-formed and active, while the throat should be fine
Body: neck well-set on reasonably high withers over powerful, obliquely sloping shoulders. Well-sprung girth of adequate depth, while the back is of a reasonable length. The upper line of the croup from the loins to tail should form a convex curve with a well-carried tail
Legs: clean, flat bone with clearly defined tendons. Excessive fineness is undesirable. Forelegs attached well forward, beneath the point of the shoulder. Pasterns should be long and sloping to provide the light and springy step that is the breed’s hallmark
Hooves: well-rounded with the front feet more sloping than the back. The hooves should be open at the heels and have concave soles

The Hackney is one of very few breeds to have both horse and pony sizes, but a pony is expected to show distinct pony characteristics, such as small, neat ears and a small, fine muzzle. It should be more compact than a Hackney horse, but the general conformation is similar. Likewise their movement will be brisker but with the same impressive action. They may include Welsh or Fell pony bloodlines, and are especially popular in the US.

Movement

The breed is renowned for its high stepping action in trot, with remarkable flexion. Hackneys should show a well-rounded front action, with the hocks flexed and following through under the body in a piston-like action. Although their trot is very dynamic, excessive speed is undesirable; instead it should look well-balanced and elegant. They should move straight, with no dishing or crossing of the forelegs.

Hackneys are best known for their prowess in harness (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Hackneys are most famous for their spectacular brilliance in the driving arena, however, they can also be used as riding horses, for showing, jumping and dressage. They are a popular cross in various sport horse breeds, especially Gelderlanders and Holsteins.

Royal approval

HRH the Prince of Wales is the current patron of the Hackney Horse Society. Over the years, the society has had a number of royal presidents, including The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, Prince Michael of Kent, The Duchess of York and the Prince of Wales.

‘We didn’t claim the Eurovision title, but we still won that night’: double delight with arrival of rare breed foals

Lucy Elder — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 17:23:37 +0000

Breeders are enjoying a double celebration with the arrival of two Suffolk foals in a “crucial boost” for the UK’s most endangered heavy horse breed.

Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, near Ipswich, welcomed a filly and colt in recent weeks. The mares were loaned by their owner to support the Suffolk Horse Society’s breeding programme for the conservation of rare bloodlines.

Suffolk mare Spearman Annabelle safely delivered a colt and a week later, Spearman Annie gave birth to a filly on 14 May.

Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) vice-president Jimmy Doherty, of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park and a member of the Suffolk Horse Society, said he is delighted at the arrival of both foals.

“When the Suffolk Horse Society asked if we would be able to contribute to this breeding project by hosting the two mares, we were over the moon and jumped at the chance,” he said.

“We are elated with these two beautiful foals; the result of two successful pregnancies. The Suffolk horse is an irreplaceable feature of our local heritage here in Suffolk and these foals will help strengthen the population.”

Spearman Bellatrix was conceived at Colony Stud, a stud and visitors’ attraction dedicated to the Suffolk horse, by successful artificial insemination carried out by Bruce Langley McKim of Thorpeley Stud.

Tracey Pettitt, from the Suffolk Punch Trust and Colony Stud, led the team monitoring the mares in the lead-up to the births.

“I feel privileged to see the foals be born and honoured that Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park trusted us to do the job,” said Tracey.

“The mares are both healthy and have taken to motherhood like ducks to the water. This is the first time we’ve had two mares foal side by side. Annie and Annabelle were born on the same day and have spent every day together since, they’re practically sisters.”

The as yet unnamed colt foal with his mother, Spearman Annabelle, at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

A RBST spokesman explained that when a breed’s population is so low, the birth of new females is important to guard against inbreeding and protect its future survival.

The Suffolk horse is categorised as a “priority” on the RBST annual watchlist. Just 16 pure-bred fillies were registered in 2021.

Stevie Sheppard, general manager of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, added: “Just as we came second on Eurovision, I got the call that the second Suffolk foal was being born, Although we didn’t claim the Eurovision title, we still won that night with this rare foal.”

Suffolk Horse Society chairman Mark Donsworth said the arrival of Spearman Bellatrix is cause for “extra celebration”.

“The Suffolk Horse breed as we know it today can be traced back to 1768, and there were many thousands of Suffolks throughout East Anglia before the First World War,” he said.

“But today the breed is the rarest of the UK’s pure-bred heavy horses, and urgent action is necessary to secure its future. Every pure-bred Suffolk foal born is incredibly precious but as a filly foal continuing a very rare bloodline, Spearman Bellatrix gives cause for extra celebration.”

The Clydesdale horse: the pride of Scotland with both substance and style

Martha Terry — Tue, 17 May 2022 11:24:59 +0000

The Clydesdale horse is among the tallest equines in the world. Known for its height and strength but also a certain elegance, the Clydesdale is a heavy horse with style that is renowned the world over, thanks to its fame in the Budweiser commercials. Yet the breed is at risk of extinction.

They vie with the Shire horse and Belgian Draft in terms of the title, “world’s biggest horse”. Although they are tall (typically at least 17hh), they are lighter than these other large breeds due to their slighter frame.

As with any horse, there is no ballpark figure on how much a Clydesdale costs. Prices are dependent on age, pedigree, training, temperament, conformation, ability and so on.

In this article: Looks and conformation | History | Famous Clydesdales

Clydesdales are renowned for their pulling power (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Looks and conformation

Big ears and an open forehead; broad between the eyes with a flat profile
The muzzle should be wide, with large nostrils
A well-arched, long neck set on a sloping shoulder, with high withers
The back should be strong with good depth of well-sprung rib
Limbs with strong, flat bone; legs set close together. Hock to pastern is comparatively long, with no gaskin
Abundant white, silky feather
The Clydesdale normally stands between 17hh-18hh – mares are typically smaller than stallions and geldings
Colours: bay and brown with white markings are prevalent; black, roan and chestnut are less common. White markings are characteristic, and nearly all Clydesdales have a white blaze and long white socks, often running up to the belly
They typically have a high-stepping, showy action, which gives the impression of power, quality and weight, not bulk. They are one of the most elegant of the heavy horses
The average Clydesdale weighs close to a tonne – about the same as a small car

Potted history

This Scottish breed takes its name from the area around the River Clyde in Lanarkshire.

During the 18th century, the Duke of Hamilton imported six black coaching stallions from Flanders to improve local draught stock. John Paterson of Lochlyloch brought a Flemish stallion from England and these sires were used on local Scottish mares, the progeny of which was to evolve into the Clydesdale.

These horses were said to be of better type than the Flanders horses and the native horses they were crossed with, and the breed soon gained a reputation as one of the best agricultural and haulage animals. Horse fairs at Lanark became a popular place to purchase horses and a strong export industry in Clydesdales soon developed.

Different types started to evolve as the breed spread throughout the British Isles. The Clydesdale Horse Society was formed in 1877 and its first studbook, published in 1878, mentions such types, including the Galloway, Kintyre and Banffshire. The foundation sire is believed to be Glancer 335 – also called Thompson’s Black Horse – with two notable sires of the 19th century being Prince of Wales 673 and Darnley 222.

During the height of its popularity, the Clydesdale numbered around 140,000 animals in Scotland alone. However, with the introduction of mechanisation in agriculture and haulage, the Clydesdale’s primary use was lost and numbers dramatically declined. By the 1970s, the breed was designated “at risk” by the Rare Breeds’ Survival Trust and found itself at an all time low. They are still deemed at risk in 2022.

The main purpose of the Clydesdale today is breeding, showing, carriage-driving and parades. The Clydesdale Horse Society has taken measures to increase the breed’s popularity, especially with young people. National classes have been developed to ensure that all ages of enthusiast are involved in the continuation of the Clydesdale.

As well as their use in showing and eco-friendly agriculture, Clydesdales compete in general riding club activities. Although they are renowned for their pulling power, they also give a comfortable ride – being quite narrow for a heavy draft breed – and typically have an easy-going and willing temperament. They have proved popular with the Household Cavalry as drum horses.

And if you think a heavy draft horse is out of place on the racetrack, take a look at Exeter’s annual Clydesdale race for charity, in which top jockeys take part. This hugely popular race has been running since 2013.

Clydesdales are popular heavy horses for riding, and also contest races for charity (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Famous Clydesdale horses

The “Budweiser Clydesdales” are a group of Clydesdale horses based in Missouri, US, used in advertisements for the brewing company Anheuser-Busch. The tradition dates back to 1933 when Anheuser-Busch’s sons surprised him with six Clydesdale horses and a beer wagon to celebrate the end of Prohibition, and the breed has since become a marketing tool. They are particularly associated with commercials during Super Bowl, having appeared in most ads since the 1980s (they took a break during Covid). The Clydesdale breed is said to be “a symbol of America – a symbol of hope, of strength, of resilience”, according to Budweiser’s marketing president.

Digger: at around 19.2hh, Digger was one of the world’s tallest horses. He was rescued by World Horse Welfare as an orphan foal, and was put in training as drum horse for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, although ended up as the face of World Horse Welfare’s Adopt a Horse scheme, living at their Aberdeenshire centre, Belwade Farm.

The actor Martin Clunes has a soft spot for heavy horses. His first two horses, Ronnie and Bruce, were Clydesdales and he used them to travel by horse and cart. This pair starred in Martin’s 2013 documentary Heavy Horsepower.

Warning over Hackneys’ future in latest rare-breeds watchlist

Becky Murray — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 18:03:47 +0000

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) is “renewing its warning” about the future of the Hackney horse and pony, after just 31 registered foals were born last year.

The 2022/23 RBST watchlist published this month features seven breeds in the “priority” category; Hackneys, Cleveland Bays, Dales, Dartmoors, Exmoors and Eriskays. Clydesdales, Fells, Highlands, New Forests and Shires have been classed as “at risk”. Shetlands and Welsh ponies and cobs appear in the “UK native breeds” category, and Connemaras and Irish Draughts are listed in the “Irish breeds in the UK” category. The categories are based on population size, taking into account numbers of males and females and the degree of inbreeding. All the breeds remain in the same category as the 2021/22 watchlist.

The RBST reported that while the numbers of Eriskays, Suffolks and Cleveland Bays remains low, the “stability in the breeds’ data in 2021 is positive”. But there are “extreme concerns” around Hackneys.

“The Hackney breed, which already had very low numbers, has seen further decline over the past year with just 31 females producing registered progeny from only 12 breeders. This compares with more than 300 breeding females registered in 2011,” said an RBST spokesman, adding that the organisation is urging more people to support the breed’s modern uses.

Mark Hardy, chairman of the Hackney Horse Society, told H&H the pandemic and increase in the cost of living had caused issues for breeders, and they are also limited in choices as there are so few of them.

“After the Second World War, there was a big revival of Hackneys and at the time there were lots of breeders and trainers. But as time has gone on, many have passed away or moved on to other things,” he said.

“As an organisation, we are really trying to promote the breed and show how versatile it is and hopefully we will see more people using them in other disciplines and create more demand. People usually associate Hackneys with driving and showing, but they’re also very good all-rounders.”

According to the RBST, the number of Shire foals registered last year was 228, down from 250 in 2020. The number of overall New Forest breeders registering progeny has declined – as has the number of dams, which the RBST classifies as mares who have had at least one foal, but the breed still has the greatest number of dams of all the rare equine breeds. Though Dartmoors and Exmoors remain on the priority list for 2022/23, there has been an “important increase” in the number of dams, which is “crucial” for managing inbreeding in breeds with low numbers.

“The Exmoor data is the highest recorded since 2017, with the number of dams up 37% on 2020 and Dartmoors have also made significant progress with the number of breeders registering progeny at its highest since 2011, and the number of dams up 46% on 2020,” RBST senior conversation adviser Tom Blunt told H&H.

“Both breeds have also seen an improvement in effective population size which indicates successful management of inbreeding.”

Breed societies find ‘proactive’ solutions to overcome Brexit challenges

Becky Murray — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 12:03:26 +0000

BREED societies are taking positive steps to ensure the ongoing ability to register rare-breed and native horses and ponies abroad following Brexit.

After Britain left the EU, foreign studbooks had to apply to Defra for an extension of breeding territory so horses and ponies in the UK could still be registered with them. The move has affected many foreign sport-horse studbooks that were not granted permission (news, 24 February), but also has an impact on UK breed societies, which have to apply to EU countries for the same extension of breeding territory.

The Clydesdale Horse Society and the Welsh Cob and Pony Society are among those taking steps to ensure foreign breeders can continue to register foals with their studbooks. The Clydesdale Horse Society, which registers around 200 foals a year, 25 of these in EU countries, has created daughter studbooks in Germany and Ireland. The German studbook will cater for breeders in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and the Irish for Denmark – but other EU countries can apply for extension of breeding territory.

Clydesdale Horse Society secretary Ian Roy told H&H the creation of the daughter studbooks was a “positive and proactive solution”.

“We found colleagues in Germany and Ireland who were willing to take us on and run with us,” he said. “It’s taken almost a year to get them up and running, but we’re now approaching each EU country seeking an extension of the Irish studbook into these countries and we’re finding there’s a lot of cooperation.”

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society already had daughter studbooks in EU countries, and around the world, but ahead of Brexit the organisation worked with the Welsh Government to come up with a solution to still allow EU breeders to register on the UK studbook, as this is still favoured among many EU breeders.

“We wanted to work around this because we did not want to lose the gene pool and the work of those overseas breeders who have for many generations worked hard to breed high-quality stock,” said a spokesman for the society.

“We have now split the document – you have the passport as an identification document with the microchip, and a separate breeding registration document. Although we cannot issue a passport to EU-bred ponies because of the legislation, overseas breeders can scan their passport from their country of origin and email it to us with the pedigree. If it complies with our rules and regulations, we can register them on our overseas register and they go into our studbook alongside UK-bred animals, so this secures the pedigree and bloodlines.”

Rare Breed Survival Trust chief executive Christopher Price told H&H Brexit had “clearly created challenges” for equine breed societies as it has in many other sectors including livestock, but said “although it is cumbersome, expensive and time consuming, there is a way round it through the creation of daughter studbooks”.

Rare breed zebra foal delights visitors with surprise arrival

Lucy Elder — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 06:30:55 +0000

A rare breed zebra foal delighted visitors with an early arrival at Marwell Zoo.

Grevy’s zebra Ellen safely delivered the healthy foal during the day in her paddock in September, to the surprise of amazed onlookers.

Keepers carefully monitored the zebra from a distance and answered questions from guests, while the first-time mother gave birth in just 30 minutes. Both mother and foal are doing well.

(Image credit: PhotosByGemma)

“We knew Ellen was soon to be expecting so we have been monitoring her and allowing her access to the paddock and the indoor area,” said Marwell Zoo’s hoofstock team leader Tim Rowlands.

“Zebra normally like to do their own thing and take themselves away, so giving birth in the middle of the afternoon in front of a crowd of guests isn’t common but she wasn’t concerned by the interest and it was a very smooth delivery with the healthy foal arriving in around half an hour.

“The foal is enjoying exploring, though is still staying close to its mother, who is the dominant female of the herd and is being very protective.”

The foal’s name and gender are yet to be confirmed, and brings the total number of Grevy’s zebra at the zoo to six.

There are fewer than 3,000 Grevy’s zebra left in the wild. They are found in small, isolated areas in Northern Kenya and Ethiopia.

Conservation charity Marwell Wildlife, which owns and operates Marwell Zoo, is involved in the national conservation strategy for the species in Kenya. Marwell manages the breed’s international studbook, a programme conserving healthy populations of animals in activity and is also one of the active members of the Grevy’s zebra technical committee, which guides and implements conservation action in the country.

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Road to HOYS: Exmoor mare makes history as the first of her breed to qualify for lead rein final

Alex Robinson — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 18:32:30 +0000

A seven-year-old mare has made breed history by becoming the first Exmoor pony to qualify for the mountain and moorland lead rein final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Madeline Haynes and Sandy Wooderson’s home-bred Badleybridge Ab Fab (Molly) picked up her ticket to the final at NPS Area 7, and while Exmoors have had a presence in open, junior and working hunter ranks at HOYS, this will be the first time a breed representative has qualified on the rein.

Ridden by Jennifer Frost, also seven, Molly is produced by Christina Gillet and Kevin Cousins. Molly and Jennifer were led by Christina on route to their golden ticket, where the pair also stood mini champions.

Molly is Sandy’s first home-bred Exmoor and is by the stud’s own stallion, former HOYS ridden finalist Elsinore Alan Partridge and is out of the late Bluebarn Primrose, who is a daughter of the prolific Blackthorn Sea Poacher.

“She’s had the most wonderful year,” said Sandy. “She qualified for the Royal International at the BSPS winter championships and stood third at the final, being the highest placed non-Welsh exhibit.”

Molly was also champion of the NPS qualifying classes at Midland Counties and was reserve champion in the M&M lead rein finals at the NPS summer championships.

“This is really only her second year in the ring as last year, as we all know, was pretty much written off and so she only managed one show,” said Sandy, of Molly, who was a former H&H one to watch. “Molly is such a genuine child’s pony and it’s very positive for the Exmoor breed to have a representative in this category.”

Molly was born on the birthday of Sandy’s late husband and was backed by Sandy’s good friend Sarah Knighton as a four-year-old.

“I sadly lost my husband in the February to cancer, and that same year Primrose was due to foal,” Sandy explained. “She was late so Molly ended up being born in April, on the same date as my husband’s birthday, so she really is a special pony.

“Sarah’s one-year-old son sat on her first when she was four, and so we knew from the start she was going to be perfect for the lead rein job. She went to Kevin and Christina as a five-year-old and she’s been brought on slowly; I find Exmoors are better if they’re given that little bit more time.

“She’s such a true-to-type Exmoor with quality, too. She’s beautifully schooled and goes really well; Kevin and Christina have done a fabulous with her. We’re delighted she’s got there and we’re equally delighted for the breed.”

15 of the rarest horse breeds in the world

Alex Robinson — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 18:32:31 +0000

Here we bring you a selection of rare horse breeds from across the globe, and everything you need to know about them…

Rare horse breeds

1. The Canadian Horse

As its name would suggest, the rare Canadian horse originates from Canada. It became the country’s national horse in 2002 and is registered as ‘at risk’ by Heritage Livestock Canada due to dwindling numbers.

The Canadian Horse Breeders association says the breed is known for ‘its calm and willing disposition, excellent feet, stamina and strength.’ Their height usually ranges from between 14hh to 16hh and while most are black, Canadians come in other colours, including chestnut, bay and palomino.

2. The Dales pony

Lowhouses Bright Star

The Dales Pony is the native breed of the upper dales of the eastern slopes of the Pennine range, from the High Peak in Derbyshire to the Cheviot Hills near the Scottish Border.

The rare breed originates from the crossing of Scotch Galloways, used for pack work in the 17th Century, and native mares. According to the Dales Pony Society: “it was that the black Galloways of the mixed herds eventually superseded the Scotch Galloway, and eventually became the Dales Pony through a series of improvements from several sources.”

Bloodlines from the Norfolk Cob and Yorkshire Roadster also helped develop the Dales pony we know and love today.

According to the Dales Pony Society (formerly the The Dales Pony Improvement Society): “the combination of strength, agility, thrift, hardiness and high courage, with good conformation and a calm, intelligent nature, makes the Dales Pony a first-class riding and driving pony with all the abilities of a true all-rounder.”

Dales ponies have no upper height limit and can be black, brown, grey, bay and roan in colour.

3. The Cleveland Bay

Knaresborough Moon Dust

The Cleveland Bay horse can be traced back to the Chapman horse of the 17th century. They stand at between 16hh to 16.2hh and are solid bay in colour with no white with the possible exception of a very small star. Its a versatile and athletic breed, as both a pure-bred and crossing option.

Initially bred in the Cleveland Hills, Cleveland Bays used by farmers on the land, for riding and as pack animals.

In 2018, it was the most endangered rare native equine breed, with only 64 breeding females left in the UK.

The Cleveland Bay Horse Society is the guardian of the breed. It was formed in 1884 to preserve and promote the breed and continues its role today.

The Royal family have given the breed a great boost; The Queen’s grandfather had been a breeder of Cleveland bays in the 1920’s and The Queen stepped purchased Cleveland Bay colt named Mulgrave Supreme. The Queen still breeds today.

4. The Exmoor pony

Ponies have been on Exmoor since ancient times, and this environment shaped their size, characteristic hardiness, independent spirit and native intelligence.

Although some Exmoor ponies now are bred in studs throughout the country, herds of semi-feral free-ranging ponies still run on the moor.

The late 1940s nearly saw the demise of the Exmoor Pony.

Today, while still a rare breed, they are a popular riding pony for children and small adults. Stallions stand up to 12.3hh, and mares up to 12.2hh. They are bay, brown and dun in colour and carry characteristic mealy markings on the muzzle and around the eye and flanks.

5. The Eriskay pony

Standing up to 13.2hh, the Eriskay pony is among the last surviving remnants of the original native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland.

By the early 1970s, there were only 20 pure-breds on the remote island of Eriskay, so a dedicated group of people got together in an attempt to increase numbers. The Eriskay Pony Society was founded in 1995.

Today, there are around 420 Eriskays in the world. The Eriskay Pony is classed as critical by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).

The predominant colour is grey with the occasional black or bay.

6. The Newfoundland Pony

According to the Newfoundland Pony Society: “The Newfoundland Pony is known for its strength, courage, intelligence, obedience, and common sense.”

During the later part of the 20th century, the estimated population of 12,000 (1970s) dropped to fewer than 100 in the 1980s.

In 1997, the provincial government of Newfoundland passed the Heritage Animals Act of Newfoundland and Labrador. This Act provided legal protections to the Newfoundland Pony by making it illegal to transport Newfoundland Ponies off the Island without export permits. The Act also designated the Newfoundland Pony Society as the public group responsible for registering, promoting and protecting the Newfoundland Pony.

Today, there are 250 registered breeding animals and the population is spread across Canada, with the majority of the ponies located in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Their height varies from 11hh to 14.2hh. They have a coat colour of bay, black, brown, chestnut, dun, grey, roan and white only.

7. Akhal-Teke

The rare Akhal-Teke was developed for endurance and speed and is one of the oldest domesticated horse breeds.

While commonly found throughout North America and Europe, the breed originated in the Karakum desert of Turkmenistan.

The breed was brought to the United States in 1979 and the Akhal-Teke Association of America was founded as a registry.

The slim, athletic horse typically stands between 14hh and 16hh.

Akhal-Tekes are thin-skinned with fine coat and can be of any colour. Many carry a gene for the cream dilution, which can result in palomino, cremello, and perlino coats. Some horses have pale blue eyes. Akhal-Tekes have a metallic sheen to their coats.

8. The Caspian Horse

The story of the Caspian Horse told at HOYS in 2017

Caspians average only 11.2hh but despite their height, theyare known as horses rather than ponies.

According to the Caspian Horse Society: “The Caspian is a horse, not a pony, and therefore should be viewed in the same manner when judging a well-bred horse. That is the limbs, body and head should all be in proportion to each other. Foreshortened limbs or a head out of proportion are faults. The overall impression should be that of an elegant, small horse.”

The rare breed dates back to ancient Persia, at least as far as 3,000 B.C. Experts now believe the Caspian to be the forerunner to the Arab horse and therefore to most of the hot blooded horses in existence today.

They are known to have a spectacular action as well as speed.

9. The Suffolk Horse

The Suffolk Horse is the oldest breed of heavy horse to exist in its present form.

The earliest stud book of any heavy horse breed, and all modern Suffolks, are descended from just one horse, Crisp’s Horse of Ufford, which was born in 1768.

During the First World War, the strong horse was a popular working animal and there were 1000s of Suffolks residing throughout East Anglia. They were known for their ability to be used for draught work and forestry

The rare breed declined rapidly when farmers swapped horses for tractors and machinery, and in 1966 there were only nine Suffolk foals registered.

Today, they are a popular cross to produce heavy sports and show horses, and they are being increasingly seen in ridden heavy horse classes.

10. The Hackney

The British Hackney had its origins in the Norfolk and Yorkshire Roadsters (trotting horses) of the 18th and 19th centuries, but is first mentioned in medieval times.

Early Thoroughbred stallions had a great influence on the breed. According to the RBST: “Following improvements in the roads during the 16th and 17th century there was an increased demand for carriage horses and the highest status symbol was to be seen out in a stylish equipage with proud high-stepping horses.”

In 1883, the Hackney Horse Society and Stud Book was formed.

The Hackney horse stands from 14hh to 16.2hh, while the pony stands between 12.2hh to 14hh. Their coat may be a range of solid colours and many boast white markings.

The high-stepping breed is known for its ability to trot at high speed for extended periods.

11. The Sorraia

Sorraia Horses are a remnant population of an indigenous, South Iberian wild horse, which survived in the formerly inaccessible lowlands of the river Sorraia in Portugal until the early 1900s.

The Iberian scientist and horse expert Dr. Ruy d’Andrade discovered these horses in 1920 and is responsible for their preservation.

Today, there are only 200 Sorraias, most of which kept are in private hands.

All Sorraias descend from only 11 or 12 animals that d’Andrade secured in the 1930s, and in-breeding is therefore incredibly high.

12. The American Cream Draft Horse

The American Cream Draft is a relatively new breed and is the only draft breed to have originated in the United States.

It is believed that the Cream traces its roots back to a draft-type mare named Old Granny. She is believed to have been foaled around the turn of the last century in Iowa and was cream in colour.

There are around 250 horses worldwide.

The American Cream Draft Horse was recommended for recognition by the National Stallion Enrolment Board in 1948. In 1950 they were recognised as standard by the Iowa Board of Agriculture.

Its most notable characteristic is its coat colour, which ranges from pale cream to a rich golden colour, with a white mane and tail.

13. The Curly Horse (American Bashkir Curly Horse)

A Curly Horse comes in all sizes, colours, and types but all carry a gene for a unique curly coat of hair.

Curlies are claimed to be the only hypoallergenic horse breed. They originated in North America and there are a few 1000 of them in the world today.

In 1971 the first curly horse register was formed, The American Bashkir Curly Registry.

Most of today’s curly horses have ancestry to one or more of the three stallions Copper D, Curly Jim or Eli Bad Warrior’s sire (name unknown).

The British Curly Horse and Pony society was founded in 2010.

14. The Marwari Horse

Developed in the Indian region of Marwari (Jodhpur), the Marwari Horse descends from the mounts of the Rajput warriors. It is best known for its inward-turned ear tips.

Because the breed was rare and faced extinction, there was an export ban placed in the 1930s and no Marwari horses were able to leave India. In 2000, a first shipment of six horses was sent to horsewoman Francesca Kelly in the United States.

Today, the breed is still rare with fewer than 5,000 purebred horses in the entire world.

The Marwari has been traced back to Arabian and Mongolian horses. Their inward turning and sometimes touching ears are linked to the Kathiawari horse.

15. German Black Forest Horse

As of 2017, it was recorded that there was a population of 88 stallions and 1,077 mares.

They originate from the Black Forest of southern Germany, where breeding dates back to the 15th century. They were originally used for farm work and forestry.

Some other names of the rare German Black Forest Horse include Schwarzwälder Füchs, Schwarzwälder Kaltblut, Wälder Horse, and Saint Märgener.

One of the key breeding programmes is at the Marbuch Stud horse farm in Germany.

They usually range between 14.2hh and 16hh in height.

They are cold-blooded, light-draft horses and are characterised by a golden mane and rich chestnut coat; no other colour may be registered.

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The 2021/22 watchlist, published this week (8 April), has been updated with new categories: priority, at risk, UK native breeds

Credit: Future

Rare breeds championed at county show

Alex Robinson — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 19:01:33 +0000

At the Norfolk Equestrian Show (28 July), an Exmoor pony and a New Forest pony took top honours as the two Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) rare breed supreme champions.

The winning Exmoor and receiver of the RBST priority breeds title was nine-year-old gelding Threeshires Edgar, owned and bred by Liz Barker and shown by Susannah Muir.

“He is such a calm and lovely pony,” said Susannah. “He wants to please and will try anything. This was only his second big show and he was absolutely perfect.

“Rare breeds have brought so much to other breeds – even some of today’s eventers have bloodlines that can be traced back to native ponies like the Exmoor.

“They are sure-footed and healthy ponies and it is important not only to keep the breed but also to ensure that the standards are maintained.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

New Forest pony Marleydenes Miriam (above), a four-year-old bay mare shown by Abigail Staff, was awarded the RBST at risk breeds accolade.

Abigail, who won at the Horse of the Year Show in 2015 on a New Forest pony, says that she has been gradually converted to the breed and now has three New Forest ponies:

“They are unique ponies,” she said. “They are show-offs, but extremely loyal and versatile, a lovely breed. We can’t afford to lose the native breeds that we are slowly losing and it is important to bring them out to shows like this so that more people can see and appreciate them.”

Seven of the rare native equine breeds listed as ‘priority’ or ‘at risk’ on the RBST watchlist were represented among the 19 rare-breed entrants. Other rare breeds showcased were the Fell pony, Highland pony, Dales pony, Dartmoor pony, and Cleveland Bay horse. The Shire, also on the RBST watchlist, was represented in the show’s Shire horse classes.

“It was fantastic to see so many of the UK’s rare native breeds showcased here,” said RBST chief executive Christopher Price. “The competitors did the UK’s native breeds proud with a very high standard of agility, skill and composure on display from them all.”

Delight as heavy horse centre welcomes rare black Clydesdale filly

Sarah Radford — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:01:36 +0000

A centre that promotes the survival of the UK’s heavy horse breeds is celebrating the birth of its first black Clydesdale filly after 13 years of trying.

Mare Bridget gave birth to Violet, by Tillside Topsman (Teddy), at Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre, Northumberland, last month.

Black is a rare colouring among Clydesdale horses, which are more typically bay or roan.

Although the centre has had several black colts, it has never before had a filly to add to its breeding programme.

“Other people have had black fillies from Teddy but we’ve always got the colts,” the centre’s owner Vivienne Cockburn told H&H.

“This one popped out and we thought ‘another black colt’, but when we realised it was a filly, we were jumping up and down. We were absolutely thrilled.”

Vivienne explained that the Clydesdale originated from a cross between Scottish mares and the typically black Flanders (Flemish draught), so it was originally quite a common colour for the breed, but bays and roans were later selected as a preference, making black Clydesdales increasingly rare.

Picture by Viv Potts (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“They weren’t particularly sought-after or wanted but nowadays people are starting to look for them,” she said.

Teddy, who is 11, has already sired “an awful lot” of foals and was also collected from by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) in 2019 to add his genes to the national gene bank.

Hay Farm was established in 2013 and is the only heavy horse centre in the UK backed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as a conservation centre. It was set up by the Cockburn family in response to public interest in their heavy horses, as well as a desire to promote and save rare breeds.

“We had a farm for our personal horses that was on one of the main through roads from England to Scotland and we would find quite a few cars parked at the field where they had diverted because they’d heard about the horses and wanted to see them,” Vivienne said.

“We’d also seen in the showing world how we were starting to lose the older people who had the experience and interest and people from the younger generations weren’t wanting to come into it.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Viv Potts)

Suffolk foal who broke leg in multiple places recovers thanks to vet’s skill

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Colin the ‘miracle’ caesarean foal is beating the odds to survive thanks to dedicated vet

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“When we sat down and thought about it, we realised how important it was to preserve these horses. They’ve played a massive role in our history.”

Since it was established, the enterprise has grown “fingers and toes” and the centre now runs two shows a year as well as promoting traditional skills.

Hay Farm, which is in Northumberland, was able to survive the recent lockdowns with the help of crowdfunding and the not-for-profit is open to the public from March to December.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Suffolk foal who broke leg in multiple places recovers thanks to vet’s skill

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 10:02:26 +0000

A Suffolk foal who broke his leg in multiple places at two weeks old is back in his field with a bright future ahead thanks to his surgeon’s expertise.

Rancher is cantering about on a leg containing two metal plates and 20 screws, and vets hope he will enjoy a normal life.

Owners Eugenie and Randy Hiscock, of Donhead Hall Stud in Dorset, have no idea what caused the injury, which occurred in March while Rancher and his dam Montana were waiting to come in from the field.

“We caught and led in the other horses first, and only left Rancher and Montana for a few minutes, but as soon as we got back to the paddock, I could tell something was terribly wrong,” Mrs Hiscock said.

“The lower half of Rancher’s leg was swinging, and it was absolutely horrific. I can only imagine that he twisted round suddenly causing the leg to snap.

“We were straight on the phone to our vet and I stood with Rancher while we waited for them to arrive. I felt so sick.”

A vet from Damory Equine Clinic in Blandford Forum applied a plaster cast but X-rays showed the fractures were not healing, so the Hiscocks made the trip to Liphook Equine Hospital in Hampshire.

Liphook vet Russell Parker, a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and European specialist in equine surgery, operated on Rancher. He believed that despite the severity of the injury, the colt had a “fighting chance”, owing to his size and age.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Mr Parker said: “Rancher’s fracture wasn’t straightforward because the leg was broken in more than two places and the bones were displaced, but foals are relatively light and their bones heal more quickly than adult horses, making fracture repair an option. It also helped that there was no wound associated with the injury.

“The operation took 2.5 hours and involved using metal plates and screws to realign and fix the broken bones. The modern implants we use today help us create a more stable repair because the screws lock into the plates as well as the bone.”

Russell added that there is always a risk of complications following this type of surgery.

He said: “Our first challenge was to make sure that Rancher got safely to his feet as he came round from the anaesthetic, and we gave him a helping hand to avoid him accidentally damaging the repair.

“Also, there is a risk of the incision getting infected or the implants breaking, but Rancher made excellent progress over the next few days. In fact, he felt so well in himself, he became very boisterous in the stable, but luckily his mum did a great job of keeping him calm.”

After three weeks at Liphook, Rancher was able to go home, where he spent six weeks on box rest in a barn.

In early June, he was allowed back out in the field, and Mrs Hiscock said it has been “wonderful” to watch him enjoying the sun.

“We can’t thank Russell and the team at Liphook enough for saving Rancher and giving him the best care possible,” she said. “As well as the Suffolk being an extremely rare breed that needs its numbers boosting, Rancher was the first foal we had bred in four years, so he is very special to us. He is such a lovely, bonny foal and it would have been devastating to lose him.”

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The couple own 12 adult Suffolks, and four other 2021 foals. Some of the horses work on the farm, and take part in shows and displays, and they have a team of mares who pull the Badger Brewery dray.

Mrs Hiscock said: “We may keep Rancher entire so he can breed his own foals in the future, or he could be used as a driving horse. On the day his accident happened I really thought we were going to lose him, so it is lovely to think that he has an exciting future ahead of him.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Joy as zoo welcomes safe arrival of two extremely rare foals

Lucy Elder — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 12:02:02 +0000

A British zoo has welcomed the arrival of two extremely rare foals as part of its conservation work to protect endangered species.

A Przewalski’s horse and a Hartmann’s mountain zebra have been born at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire in recent weeks.

The new Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal at Marwell Zoo. (Image credit: Mark Parris/Marwell Zoo)

“Przewalski’s horses had disappeared from the wild by the end of the 1960s.” said Tim Woodfine, the zoo’s director of conservation.

“Marwell played a key role on forming a cooperative breeding programme for this species and planning its reintroduction. We have since provided animals for reintroduction in Mongolia and Hungary, and for grazing management projects in European nature reserves.”

The Przewalski’s horse is now classed as “endangered” and this foal was born to mare Tsetseg on Sunday night (6 June).

The zoo is also celebrating the safe arrival of a scimitar-horned oryx calf and a Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal, who are “thriving”. Both species are classed as “vulnerable” to extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list.

The new Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal at Marwell Zoo. (Image credit: Mark Parris/Marwell Zoo)

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“These births are welcome additions to their respective European ex situ programmes, which are specially managed assurance populations,” said Dr Woodfine.

“Our Przewalski’s horse foal and scimitar-horned oryx calf are reminders that these species disappeared from their natural ranges but have since been successfully reintroduced.

“Our Tunisia team has helped reintroduce scimitar-horned oryx and continues to monitor them to four protected areas. We have also contributed animals and technical support to re-establish the species in the huge Ouadi Rimé‐Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve in Chad as part of an ambitious project undertaken by the government of Chad and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Sahara Conservation Fund.”

He added: “The flexibility and fortitude exhibited by our teams and partners throughout the coronavirus pandemic meant that we achieved much against the odds. The reopening of the zoo is important for generating the income to support our conservation work across the world.”

(Image credit: Marwell Zoo)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘Fantastic opportunity’ for most at-risk rare breeds in new championship classes

Becky Murray — Sat, 29 May 2021 15:27:03 +0000

Rare breeds of the “highest concern” will be recognised at a show with new championship classes aimed at promoting the breeds’ high standards.

For the first time the Norfolk Equestrian Show (28 July) will host Rare Breed Survival Trust watchlist classes, with the highest-placed horses and ponies going on to compete in the RBST championship for priority and at-risk breeds. The classes follow the release of the 2021/2022 RBST watchlist published last month with updated categories; priority, at risk, UK native breeds and Irish breeds in the UK. Previously the categories were critical, endangered, vulnerable, at risk and minority.

Cleveland Bays, Dales, Dartmoors, Eriskays, Exmoors, Hackneys and Suffolk horses appear in the priority category. Clydesdale horses, Fell and Highland ponies, New Forests, and Shires have been classed as at risk.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price told H&H the watchlist classes will give dedicated owners and breeders of rare native horses and ponies the chance to demonstrate their “amazingly high standards”, and show the great potential of the breeds.

“We hope this will also encourage more people to get involved in the work to ensure rare native equine breeds such as Eriskays and Suffolks can thrive long into the future,” he said.

RBST chairman Gale Sprake added that with competitions so severely limited over the last 18 months, the trust is delighted to provide this “fantastic opportunity” to celebrate rare breeds, as well as the people, organisations and communities that support their survival.

“Each of our native pony and horse breeds has its own characteristics, unique features and history and each has played an extraordinary role in our nation’s history,” she said.

“The new RBST priority and at-risk classes at the Norfolk Equestrian Show will really show why they are special.”

Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association chief executive Mark Nicholas said the organisation is “thrilled” to be welcoming competitors.

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“We are particularly pleased to be working in partnership with RBST and helping them to promote the importance of breed diversity and survival,” he said.

The show’s organisers hope that holding the “streamlined” show behind closed doors in 2021 will support the planned return of a full Royal Norfolk Show in June 2022. The schedule includes in-hand and ridden classes and retains Horse of the Year Show qualifiers from the cancelled Royal Norfolk Show. Entries close on 30 June.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘Mark of esteem’ to Prince Philip as Suffolk foal named in his honour

Becky Murray — Sun, 02 May 2021 16:03:08 +0000

A Suffolk foal born on the evening of Prince Philip’s funeral has been named in his honour.

George Paul’s 11-year-old mare Samford Tourmaline, “Tilly”, gave birth to a colt at the Suffolk Punch Trust, where she had gone for foaling, at 9pm on 17 April. The foal is by the trust’s stallion Stockton Boxer.

Mr Paul told H&H the foal’s name, Samford Prince Philip, was a “mark of esteem” to the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on 9 April.

“It seems to have gone down very with people,” he said. “The mare and foal are still at the trust at the moment, it reopens this weekend and there has been so much publicity about him that I thought I would leave them there until after the weekend.”

Mr Paul started breeding Suffolks in 1967, with foundation mare Colony Russet bought from a Suffolk stud, owned by the prison service, which later became the Suffolk Punch Trust.

“I have continued breeding in a small way ever since,” he said. “I just have the one mare at the moment. I’ve had a direct female line since 1967 and she’s a continuation of that line.

Continued below…

(Image credit: George Paul)

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(Image credit: George Paul)

“She’s a very good mother and has a wonderful temperament. A two-year-old child could lead her. She’s for ever doing school visits and that sort of thing, she’s a lovely kind mare.”

Mr Paul said Tilly has so far produced three colts and a filly.

“I sold the filly to a man who is establishing a stud in Devon, so I desperately wanted a filly this time, but that’s what I got. He’s a very nice little colt,” he said. “I often keep my foals through the winter and sell them in spring when they’re yearlings so I will find a buyer for him in due course.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Celebrating rare equine breeds’ abilities to ensure their survival H&H Plus

Lucy Elder — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 16:51:14 +0000

Riders are urged not to overlook native breeds if they want to compete; as industry experts say celebrating all our rare breeds are capable of is key to securing their survival

CELEBRATING the range of jobs native breeds can do is key if rare equines are to survive and thrive in today’s world.

The call came at the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) Scotland “Back to the Future” virtual conference on 31 March.

Andrea Parry-Jones, RBST farm park project officer, urged people not to “overlook” native breeds for competition.

“People believe they need a sport horse or a warmblood, or something big and flashy these days to compete, but they don’t,” she said.

“I know plenty of Highland ponies, for instance, who do dressage, they hunt, show, work and they make brilliant child’s ponies – anybody’s ride – and they have the intelligence and surefootedness to do the job.

“There are Welsh ponies competing at international level dressage, but often people think because they are native, and smaller, they won’t necessarily do the job. I’ve found that locally, whether or not it’s true everywhere.

“They’ve had to evolve to survive in the environment, they have intelligence, there’s been proof that they problem-solve – Exmoors are well known for breaking the ice on frozen rivers and lakes, and they can transfer that intelligence and problem-solving ability into daily work. They are perfectly capable of riding, driving, they are used as therapy ponies – they can turn their hooves to anything, but they often only get thought of as conservation grazers.”

Ms Parry-Jones added that good marketing of the non-native Konik pony means they are often the first hit on search engines looking for conservation grazers and the UK’s equines need more publicity.

“[The Koniks] have the reputation that they are better suited to our wetland grounds than any of our natives, which isn’t true,” she said, adding there is “no reason not to be using” British native breeds for conservation.

“The Exmoor is quite capable of living on boggy ground, as long as they have somewhere dry to stand and available shelter. A lot of rewilders believe [Koniks] are better suited when the Exmoor, Dartmoor, Fell, Highland are all adapted to our climate, and capable of surviving in it or they wouldn’t be here.

“Yes some natives are larger, but some ground would demand a larger pony. There’s been success with Eriskays in conservation grazing, New Forests, Highlands, Fells, Dales – I don’t think there’s one of our native breeds that hasn’t been successfully used in some area.”

She urged people to contact the RBST, breed societies and grazing trusts if they are struggling to find suitable ponies for conservation grazing.

Other issues raised at the conference centered on the farming community and included the importance of marketing the positives of native produce, including the ecological and biodiversity benefits as well as high welfare status. This also linked to the importance of local slaughterhouses.

The conference also marked the launch of RBST Scotland’s manifesto for a resurgence of native livestock and equine breeds, including a six-point plan it wants the new Scottish government to take, focusing on commercial, environmental and cultural benefits.

The first point is recognising that native livestock and equines have a key role.

“Native livestock and equines are a part of Scoltand’s biodiversity in just the same way as wild animals,” said RBST chief executive Christopher Price.

“The breeds were bred to provide particular benefits in particular locations, and as a result, they are the ultimate ecosystem service providers.

“We expect governments to support our wildlife and build heritage; Scottish government should support its livestock heritage, too.”

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Seven equine breeds classed as ‘highest concern’ in Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist

Becky Murray — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 06:03:18 +0000

Seven native horse breeds have been classed at the highest level of concern in the latest Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist.

The 2021/22 watchlist, published this week (8 April), has been updated with new categories: priority, at risk, UK native breeds and Irish breeds in the UK. Previously the categories were critical, endangered, vulnerable, at risk and minority.

Cleveland Bays Dales, Dartmoors, Eriskays, Exmoors, Hackneys and Suffolk horses appear in the priority category. Clydesdales, Fell and Highland ponies, New Forests, and Shires have been classed as at risk. Shetland ponies and Welsh ponies and cobs appear under UK native breeds, and Connemaras and Irish draught horses are listed in the Irish breeds in the UK section.

An RBST spokesman said the way the watchlist is produced has been updated this year to give a more “holistic view” of each breed’s outlook. The new categories are based on population size, taking into account numbers of males and females, and the degree of inbreeding. The breeds of most concern are those that are rare with increase with increased inbreeding, and breeds of least concern are not rare, and any inbreeding is well managed.

“The outlook for many of the UK’s rare native breeds of horse and pony has remained broadly unchanged, thanks to continuing interest from new breeders, the commitment of dedicated breed societies, conservation programmes at the 25 RBST-accredited farm parks, and generous public support for our work,” said the spokesman.

Priority breeds represent those breeds of most concern, which are both rare and have increased inbreeding.

“Of particular concern is the Cleveland Bay, which has seen a decline in the number of dams. In 2020, 13 breeders registered progeny, falling from 22 in 2018,” said the spokesman.

“The most numerically scarce native breed remains the Eriskay pony, but in 2020, seven females were registered, an important increase from two in 2018. Six herds registered progeny in 2020, up from just two in 2018.”

The spokesman said indicators for Clydesdales, Shires and Suffolk horses have largely remained stable over the past two years.

“The Clydesdale and the Shires are categorised as at risk, while the Suffolk horse remains in the priority category with just 14 female registrations in 2020 but with a consistent effective population size and effective management of inbreeding,” he said.

“RBST continues the programme of work to support the survival of these three breeds which was enabled by the RBST’s Heavy Horse Appeal in 2018. At-risk breeds represent those breeds with lower numbers than ideal and also a concern with inbreeding.”

The spokesman added there have been “positive signs” for Dales ponies, as the breed’s numbers have increased for the second consecutive year, and Fell ponies had also increased in population size. The Hackney horse and pony data shows an improvement from 2019, with 21 breeders registering progeny in 2020, but the breed remains in the priority category.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said there is “a lot to be positive about” in this year’s watchlist, with several equine breeds showing a “stable or improving” outlook.

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“However many native equine breeds remain very vulnerable, particularly the Eriskay pony, the Suffolk horse, the Cleveland Bay and the Hackney horse and pony. We are working closely with breed Societies, RBST-accredited farm parks and other supporters of these wonderful breeds on vital conservation programmes to improve their outlook for survival long into the future,” he said.

“Despite all the challenges and disruption, the past year has seen brilliant work throughout the UK to help our native equine breeds survive, from scientific innovation to new conservation partnerships and international projects. There have been wonderful examples of our native breeds being put to great use for conservation grazing and land management, as hunters and in forestry.

Mr Price added that the watchlist reflects last year‘s births which were largely the result of pre-pandemic breeding programmes, so the trust will be keeping a “very close eye” on the impacts of last year’s restrictions.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Education key to protect people, landscape and animals as countryside popularity booms

Lucy Elder — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 12:39:45 +0000

Education is vital as lockdown restrictions and spring weather encourage more people out to enjoy the countryside.

The message came from legal specialist Linda Tinson, a partner at Ledingham Chalmers Solicitors, speaking at the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) Scotland conference.

Ms Tinson’s call was in response to a question regarding concerns over sheep-worrying, as we are in lambing season, but her message will likely resonate with horse owners who have also seen an increase in people wanting to enjoy the countryside during the pandemic.

Ms Tinson said it is a “great bonus” in many ways that more people have discovered the countryside, but the “flip side” is that people are “uneducated when it comes to the ways of the countryside”.

She added that a new bill that has gone before Scottish parliament, under which people can be fined up to £40,000 for their dogs worrying farmed livestock, can “only be seen as a positive”.

“There is a terrible ignorance around the notion of the ‘right to roam’. It’s a funny term, because it isn’t really a right to roam, it’s a right to take responsible access,” she added.

“I think it is about education. It’s about education of the livestock keepers as well, as you have to ensure your own animals are properly fenced in, for example.”

She added “prevention is better than cure, always” and also encouraged livestock owners to keep notes and report issues when they happen.

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H&H has reported extensively on cases where horses have become ill or died after being fed by well-intentioned but misguided members of the public, as well as cases involving access issues on people’s land.

A refreshed version of the Countryside Code for England and Wales was also launched by Natural England this month (1 April). This was in response to increased visits to the countryside as well as a number of incidents, many of which came down to a lack of understanding rather than deliberate acts of damage.

The full Countryside Code can be found on the Government website

For more from the RBST Scotland conference, don’t miss next week’s issue of H&H (15 April) or sign up to join H&H Plus to read online from Friday.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Breeding expert Tullis Matson on working with legendary stallions – and collecting semen from elephants

Polly Bryan — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 12:24:58 +0000

As the man at the helm of Stallion AI Services in Shropshire, the UK’s largest artificial insemination centre, Tullis Matson has been welcoming some of the country’s most famous stallions through his doors since 2000.

“There are some amazing stallions out there. I’m an emotional person and I tend to get very wrapped up in them,” says Tullis, speaking on episode 38 of the Horse & Hound Podcast, currently supported by NAF.

“Demonstrator – Ferdi Eilberg’s grand prix dressage stallion – is one who always sticks out in my mind. He came from the Broadstone Stud and he just oozed charisma. He had a likeability about him; he went about with a permanent smile on his face, and was quite cheeky with it.

“We also had Mill Law, the fantastic advanced eventing stallion and it’s great to see all his youngstock popping up here, there and everywhere. He was pushing over 100 mares a year.

“Then there was Arko III, who was amazing. It was such an honour to stand him at the centre and to have someone put their faith in us with such an amazing horse. I’m so proud that our owners have supported us like this,” says Tullis.

“There is also the great Big Star, who is with us now – he arrived last week. He hasn’t forgotten what to do, that’s for certain – he really knows his job.”

‘We have a duty of care towards rare breeds’

While sport stallions and breeding are at the centre of day-to-day life at Stallion AI Services, the development of new techniques and technologies, such as sexed semen, has meant that Tullis Matson and his team have embarked on a journey into the possibilities of cryo-preservation. This includes a focus on rare breeds and species, something Tullis is especially passionate about.

“I love my rare breeds; my father was president of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and when he passed away they asked me to become a trustree. I became hooked on the passion of it and what we could do using new technology, for breeds such as the Suffolk, the Cleveland Bay, the Clydesdale.

“Every year I think surely there’s no more technology that can come along, we must have hit the top, but every year I’m amazed about what comes bouncing along, such as sexed semen.”

Sexed semen – an innovative process by which semen is sorted prior to insemination in order to determine the sex of the foal – was behind the birth of an important Suffolk filly in 2020.

“It was only one foal, but it’s proof of concept and it shows these technologies can work and help,” explains Tullis. “There are only 72 female Suffolks left in the country and only 300 left in the world. We have to do something about it – they’re part of our heritage and I think we have a duty of care towards them.”

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Tullis’ pioneering work into genetic preservation has branched out further than the equine world, too.

“We have gone on to use our equine freezing extender to freeze elephant semen. I was bowled over to be asked to go to South Africa in October 2019 and it was one of the most memorable trips of my lifetime,” he says. “We did seven bull elephants over a 10-day period.

“They are just the most amazing animals; there were 10 million elephants at the beginning of this century, and only 400,000 now, with the possibility that there will only be 200,000 by 2025. We have to preserve their genetics, so we used the equine semen extender to freeze their semen down.

“It was an incredible experience to collect off these wild animals, and to be so close to them. I was sitting between their front and back legs for hours and I could literally hear their hearts beating.”

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Devastation as Clydesdale broodmare dies nine months after her colt from suspected public feeding

Becky Murray — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 17:03:15 +0000

A vet and breeder who lost a Clydesdale horse colt after he was fed by passers-by, and has since lost his pregnant mother, says her breeding programme is “back to square one” and the issue of feeding horses needs to be highlighted.

South Lanarkshire-based Jennifer Spiers’ 11-month colt Kintra Oran Mhor developed impaction colic in spring last year while she was away on her honeymoon.

Jennifer told H&H a family member called to say the colt, known as Finn, was unwell and a vet attended.

“His condition worsened dramatically and the decision was made to put him to sleep,” she said. “It was made even harder because I was on the other side of the world and couldn’t do anything about it.

“The field he was in was fenced off with an electric fence but people still throw things in. Whole loaves of bread still in the packets were found, along with crisps, custard creams and other biscuits.”

Jennifer said the problem of people feeding the horses continued during lockdown with up to 200 people passing by every day.

“The horses were having to be constantly monitored. We have multiple signs up, and electric fencing to keep the horses away from the gate, but some days we found people in the field,” she said.

“Clydesdales are such friendly horses, they’ll speak to people, especially if someone is feeding them.”

On 29 December, Jennifer’s six-year-old Royal Highland prize-winning mare Malcolmwood Lady Muck, Finn’s dam, was found dead in the field.

“I went to check on the mares in the field and she wasn’t with the other two. I went to look for her and found her passed away,” she said.

“She was in foal and due in April, it’s just devastating. We are waiting for blood work and toxicology reports to confirm but I think this happened because she has been fed something. She was normal the night before, showed no signs of illness and had been in good health.”

Jennifer, who found multiple chocolate bar wrappers on the other side of the field gate that day, said the loss has “not fully hit home”.

“I’m absolutely devastated. I had such big plans for Mucky – she was a very placid mare, she just had this presence that made you feel calm,” she said.

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“We try to breed a foal every year and this loss has put our breeding programme back to square one. Clydesdales have so few breeding females in the UK compared to other breeds. It’s extremely difficult to breed from them, and this has been a massive blow.”

Jennifer said she worries for her other horses in the field and plans to put more signs up.

“I don’t know why people think it’s ok to feed other people‘s horses and I don’t know how you can police it. When I see people passing the field I try speaking to them to explain what’s been happening and educate people but this issue really needs to be highlighted and I hope we can make a difference,” she said.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Equine breeding tech could save wild animals from extinction

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 13:04:23 +0000

State-of-the-art equine reproductive technology has led to the foundation of a charity aiming to save animals from extinction.

Nature’s SAFE is Europe’s first “living biobank”; a tissue bank that will process and store skin and reproductive cells from endangered species, which can then be used in regeneration of animals and restoration of species.

Charity founder and chairman Tullis Matson realised that the techniques developed for equines, and used at his Stallion AI services, could be adapted for use in conservation, by storing live cells from endangered species. The charity aims to store “vital” genetic material that would otherwise be lost.

“We are in the sixth mass extinction; the largest predicted loss of living biodiversity in 65 million years,” said Tullis. “More than one million of the world’s species are threatened with extinction; largely as a result of the actions of humanity.”

The charity uses a specialised cryopreservation media to indefinitely store live skin cells from threatened species.

Once thawed, the cells can regenerate, so can be used in artificial reproduction. Nature’s SAFE will also store ovarian and testicular tissue from endangered animals, and there are plans to develop techniques to generate sperm and egg cells from reproductive tissue.

“To be able to use 30 years of experience in equine reproduction and equine rare breed preservation for an even greater good is a real privilege,” said Tullis.

“It is an honour to be working with some of the world’s most endangered species and knowing that we are saving such important animals is indescribable.”

The charity is working with Chester Zoo and the Rhino Fertility Project at the University of Oxford and is supported by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Biobank.

“Nature’s SAFE has true functional relevance by proactively preserving cells and reproductive tissues from endangered and threatened species, while numbers are viable and genetic diversity is high,” said Suzannah A Williams, associate professor and senior research fellow specialising in reproduction at Oxford University, and Nature’s SAFE chief scientist.

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“Therefore, from this point forwards, Nature’s SAFE will safeguard biological resources from endangered animals to ensure that species do not go extinct.”

The charity aims to preserve reproductive cells and cell lines from at least 50 different animals from each species at risk of extinction to ensure their survival.

Tullis told H&H: “I feel incredibly honoured to be able to do this. I absolutely love it.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Newborn zebra foal delighting zoo staff with his ‘zoomies’

Becky Murray — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 17:03:08 +0000

A newborn zebra foal is delighting staff at a US zoo with his “adorable” antics.

Zoo Knoxville, Tennessee, welcomed the foal, who is yet to be named, on 23 December to five-year-old Hartmann’s mountain zebras Die Toekoms, which means “the future” in Afrikaans, and Lydia. The foal is a first for the zoo, which also has five-year-old female Wiley in its herd.

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Curator Petty Grieve told H&H the staff were ‘thrilled’ about their new arrival, who was bred as part of a breeding programme under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help the endangered species.

“Each species that is endangered or vulnerable has a committee that monitors the genetics and makes breeding recommendations and we work with the Hartmann’s mountain zebra survival plan,” she said.

“There are around 250,000 Plains zebras in Africa, but only estimated to be around 8,000 Hartmann’s so we’re focused on trying to help that species.”

Petty said zebras traditionally have a herd hierarchy, and before her pregnancy Lydia had been the lowest ranked female.

“In the wild the typical dynamic is one male with around eight females,” she said. “Since the foal was born Lydia’s status has elevated; babies are very coveted which makes them very important.

“Lydia has always been quite shy but since having her baby she has come out of her shell a little bit so that’s been interesting to see.”

Petty said the zoo is ‘overjoyed’ with the foal.

“While we thought Lydia was probably pregnant due to her belly getting bigger, I didn’t think she was close to full term so we were a little surprised when he showed up. We thought it was going to be in February or March,” she said.

“I’m hoping Wiley is pregnant or will become pregnant soon. We are looking at the breeding programme figuring out what our new foal’s life plan will be. If there is another institution looking to join the Hartmann’s zebra programme he may go to another zoo in a couple of years, or he might stay with us longer.”

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The foal has started enjoying time outdoors on the zoo’s habitat entertaining staff and visitors.

“The baby is so fun. He gets the zoomies where he runs around really quick all excited,” said Petty. “He’s learning what life is about and trying to mimic his mom eating grass and hay.

“We also welcomed a baby giraffe on 24 December. In spring the giraffes and zebras share the same habitat so we’re going to have two little babies out which will be adorable. I’m really curious to see how much the babies will interact because they’ll be going through the same milestones at the same time.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

We must act now to save our equine heritage

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 11:02:57 +0000

This is not fake news, experts have warned: our rare native breeds will disappear before our eyes if we do not act now. H&H hears what measures are being taken and how science can help save our equine heritage

WE have to act now, if we want to save our equine heritage – and we have a range of scientific weapons in the fight for our rare breeds.

This was the topic of discussion at the first of two webinars held in advance, and as part of, the 2021 National Equine Forum, on 13 January.

With the title “Just in Time – Using Science to Save our Breeds”, speakers covered the issues facing our endangered native horses and ponies, and how scientific advances are being, and can be, used to secure their future.

“The overall message is that there’s serious concern, but there are things we can do,” said Tim Morris, vice-chairman of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, as he introduced the speakers.

Stallion AI Services founder Tullis Matson, who has worked extensively on preserving endangered breeds and wildlife, looked at the wider context first; that the world is facing its sixth mass extinction, with hundreds of land species at risk of being lost.

“This isn’t fake news,” he said. “Extinction is normal in evolution but we’re now in freefall and we’re going to see a lot of species disappearing if we don’t do something. And it’s not just wild and exotic species; this is happening here in the UK with our native horse breeds, right in front of us.

“There are 14 equine breeds native to the UK; 12 are rare and five of those are critically endangered. We have to do something.”

Extinction vortex

Tullis discussed the extinction vortex; the state caused by inbreeding and lack of genetic diversity that means populations decline to the point of no return. This can be beaten by strategic breeding, “like the Tinder of the horse world”, Tullis said, to match mares with appropriate stallions.

There are many ways now of persevering genetic material, Tullis said. If colts or stallions with important genes die or are castrated, semen can be extracted from the testicles and stored. Female gametes can be extracted from mares and stored, and, using a process called intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) a single sperm can be injected into the egg to create an embryo, which can then also be frozen.

He also cited tissue-banking, referring to the Przewalski’s horse colt born in the US last year, having been cloned from genetic material stored 40 years beforehand.

“This really can help, but we need to store the material now,” he said. “We stand at a pivotal time for the survival of many species and our rare breeds, and we need to do this not just for our future, but for future generations.”

Weatherbys general studbook director Simon Cooper spoke about inbreeding in thoroughbreds, who are all descended from three foundation sires, and what is being done to combat it.

He said that as breeding in thoroughbreds is for performance, there is a “survival of the fittest” outcome, and added that the rule of natural covering only was put in place to combat inbreeding.

And although the breed’s inbreeding coefficient, which measures the degree of inbreeding, is lower than rare breeds such as the Clydesdale, it is higher than more common types of horse – and the global population of thoroughbreds is decreasing, with 123,000 foals born 16 years ago and only 88,000 in 2018 with a resulting drop in genetic diversity.

There has also been a bigger decrease in the number of stallions than the number of mares, which means males covering more females, and again less diversity.

He said measures are being taken, such as leading global studbook authorities working together, limits introduced in some countries to the number of mares a stallion can cover and gene analysis to monitor diversity.

“In all of this, what we must consider first is what’s best for the horse before what’s best for the industry,” he said.

Andy Dell, of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society, spoke of the Sparks programme, which has been in use for 16 years, since the society digitised its records and saw a “disturbing” increase in inbreeding.

The system is based on mare- and stallion-based data sheets, which in turn are based on genetic analysis. These calculate the mean kinship; the relationship between any one animal and another, and the potential inbreeding from any mating. Each match is ranked from green, a mating to be encouraged, to red, which should be avoided.

Dr Dell said: “You can’t breed by numbers alone but this is one tool in the breeder’s toolbox. It leaves breeders in control, to make choices good for themselves and good for the breed.”

He added that since Sparks was introduced, the increase in inbreeding has reduced almost to zero, and the population of Cleveland Bays is now far more viable.

“Although these breeds are endangered, they do still have a future,” he said.

Dr Dell added that change is as much about managing people as managing horses. Breeders must be brought on board, while breed societies should collect and analyse data then put plans in place to manage and monitor.

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‘Saving the greatest horse’: Clydesdale stars in television documentary

Sarah Radford — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 16:46:38 +0000

Scotland’s treasured draught horse the Clydesdale is to become a big star of the small screen this Christmas when the BBC airs a documentary about the battle to preserve the breed.

Like many of the British heavy horses, the Clydesdale horse is now classed as vulnerable by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, having suffered the loss of its primary role since the onset of mechanisation.

Clydesdale: Saving the Greatest Horse is produced by the BBC, in partnership with Screen Scotland and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and follows Clydesdale enthusiast Janice Kirkpatrick as she travels to the Canadian Prairies to source a rare black mare from a bloodline “lost” to the UK.

Professor Kirkpatrick traces the story of the Clydesdale from its origins in the Clyde Valley, and meets the Canadian family who have bred these black horses for five generations.

Clydesdales were once numerous in their native Scotland, where they were first recognised as a breed in 1826, and went on to be so desired as a working animal that in 1911 a prized stallion sold for the equivalent of £1m. The animals were exported all over the world, where some of their bloodlines are still preserved.

“Once I realised that the Clydesdale was considered to be in the extinction vortex, I felt I could not stand by, I had to do something,” said Professor Kirkpatrick, a designer and graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, who now keeps Clydesdales on her farm on the Scottish coast.

The documentary covers her work to establish a global centre for the Clydesdale horse in Glasgow. The facility includes an animal genetics centre, farriery school, conservation and craftsmanship of leather and metal and a working rare breeds farm. It also plans innovative ways of engaging with local residents and the visitor economy, including through equine therapies and horse-centred tours and experiences.

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“It is the perfect place to give our most powerful and handsome rare breed a bright future. It will help to create highly skilled jobs, new businesses, networks, knowledge, partnerships for people who live nearby and for visitors,” Professor Kirkpatrick said.

“As the project develops, there will be opportunities to interact with horses and other animals, to use science, technology and economic activities to protect and secure the future of the breed, to design, make, repair and repurpose leather goods, to work in a forge, to study and interpret a world-class historic archive, to start a business and to have hands-on experiences by welcoming visitors or working in the city farm.”

The film will be shown on BBC Scotland on December 30 at 7.30pm.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Your breed needs you: push to save our rare horses H&H Plus

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 11:02:30 +0000

Societies and enthusiasts are asking “what’s in your paddock” in the hope of finding more breeding-age members of our rarest equine species. H&H finds out more

OWNERS of pure-bred rare-breed horses are urged to consider breeding from them this year as the fight to save our equine heritage goes on.

Five British horse breeds are listed as critical by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, which means there are fewer than 300 registered breeding females: Cleveland Bays, Suffolks, Hackneys, Eriskays and Dales.

Bruce Langley-McKim of Thorpeley Stud, which stands rare-breed stallions, is pushing the catchphrase “Your breed needs you”.

“I’m asking, ‘What’s in your paddock?’” he told H&H. “These breeds are getting rarer and they’re part of our heritage; it’s not right they should die off because we’ve made them redundant and then don’t act to save them.”

Mr Langley-McKim added that if horses change hands, or die, and passports are not updated, they can drop out of the system, so breed societies do not know the full picture.

He also wants to promote the range of jobs the rare-breed horses can excel in. He hunts and has evented his Suffolk stallion Craikhow Hall Jensen to show he can do it, which he thinks is crucial as without a market, especially for the heavier horses, there may be less reason to breed them.

“Otherwise, in 20 years, they’ll be gone,” he said. “We’ve got the tech and the science to keep these breeds going; it can be done, we’ve just got to have people coming forward with horses.”

Cleveland Bay Horse Society council deputy chair Jackie Sparrow told H&H she agrees with the push to breed.

“We’re struggling a bit because people have mares but aren’t breeding them,” she said. “Because they’re critically endangered, we need pure-bred mares to go to pure-bred stallions, and a lot of people may not realise the genetic value of their horses.”

Ms Sparrow said the society found in a survey that there are only 84 mares in the breeding programme in this country, and a total of about 300 worldwide.

“It’s that bad,” she said. “We really need people who have pure-bred mares to think about letting them have a pure-bred foal, naturally or by freezing of embryos or embryo transfer.. The breed is so versatile; they jump, event, do really good dressage and do a lot of endurance in the US.

“We need to know where the mares are. Anyone with one, please contact the society so we can make sure they’re at least in the genetic database.”

Ms Sparrow also urged owners of colts to get in touch, as semen can be preserved from testes after gelding. Tissue banking to harvest DNA from deceased horses for possible future cloning has also recently started.

Suffolk Horse Society chairman Mark Donsworth said the society has just completed a census, in a drive to find out exact numbers, and there are fewer than 70 breeding-age mares left.

“Last year, we bred 32 foals; that’s how critical things are,” he told H&H.

He added that for anyone wary or nervous of breeding, the society has advisers and experts to help at every stage of the process, as well as grants towards breeding, and webinars that will be uploaded to the society’s website early next year.

“We spent £30,000 helping breeders this year; and for anyone with doubts, we’ve got people delighted to help,” he said.

“I can’t tell you how important this is. Suffolks are rarer than giant pandas; there was a suggestion the breed might die out in 10 years if something wasn’t done.

“We’re doing our best and are looking at opportunities like sexed semen to breed fillies, and all sorts of scientific advances, but fundamentally, we need owners and breeders to help us.

“If there’s a mare out there and we can help, it’s crucial.”

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All in a day’s work: rare breed advocate, farmer and presenter Adam Henson H&H Plus

Madeleine Silver — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 16:00:37 +0000

Countryfile’s Adam Henson on raising the profile of Suffolk horses and making a buck from his childhood animals

Visitors to the Cotswold Farm Park, which my late dad Joe founded in 1971 to help protect rare breeds of farm animals, are always impressed by the stature of our Suffolk horses and are amazed by their history. The animals are part of our living heritage; they ploughed the land, provided us with food and kept everything going before tractors.

As a child, my dad worked with heavy horses on the farm and so he had an incredible affinity to them. We used to run heavy horse working courses here with Shires and Ardennes – a heavy European breed that we imported – to keep the skills alive.

Suffolk owner and enthusiast Nigel Oakley gifted me the mare Victoria five years ago to have on show to the public at the farm. I was really keen to help promote the breed because they are so critically rare; it seems like they’re on this helix to extinction.

My livestock manager and I decided we ought to try to breed a Suffolk, and as Victoria was getting a bit old, we bought another called Lexi who was in foal. We followed her story on Countryfile but sadly the foal died two days after birth. It was tragic. Lexi is now back in foal and we’re hoping she’ll foal this spring.

With Countryfile we filmed at Stallion AI Services in Shropshire last year and looked at how they’ve used the process of sexed semen with Suffolks, where female-only sperm is selected to impregnate the mare to increase the number of mares being born.

I’ve heard from the Suffolk Horse Society that after the programme they had a lot of interest with people joining the society and donating money. It’s brilliant that it can help. Draught horses have served us over hundreds of years incredibly well, so it would be a tragic thing if they were lost for ever.

My dad was a great trailblazer and advocate for rare breeds’ conservation back in the late 1960s and early ’70s. I grew up with three older sisters and he gave us all a rare breed as children to help us understand the husbandry and responsibility of looking after those animals. We would go with him to sales and we had a financial interest because if we sold something, half the money would go into our piggy bank and the other half would go into the farm.

The animals that I had initially as a little boy were Exmoor ponies, which are categorised as endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. We now have half a dozen of them here on the farm. On Countryfile I’ve helped gather them up on Exmoor and they’re up there in all conditions; watching them graze gorse and moving those spiny stems around in their mouth is extraordinary.

There’s one Exmoor mare on the farm, May, who is now 28 years old. There was something wrong with her mother so we had to bottle-feed her as a foal and so she is super-friendly.

I always wanted to be a cowboy when I was little, but I was never very good at riding. My dad gave me a spotted pony called Domino with a Western saddle and I used to get about a mile away from home on him, he’d buck me off and then I’d walk home crying.

Because I don’t ride now, when I took part in the Golden Horseshoe Ride – a 160km endurance ride over two days – on Exmoor for Countryfile, I used muscles that I didn’t know existed.

We went out to Australia with the cameras for Countryfile and were rounding up cattle with helicopters in areas people can’t get to. They then dropped me off and I jumped on one of their stock horses, which were like sheepdogs, reacting if they saw a calf or cow about to break from the herd. You had to have your wits about you and make sure you were sitting on well.

Having loved cowboy films as a child that was an amazing experience, like a dream come true.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 3 December 2020

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Delight as foal of one of world’s rarest species is born in the UK

Becky Murray — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:21:33 +0000

A foal belonging to one of the world’s rarest species has been born at a UK zoo.

Hampshire’s Marwell Zoo welcomed the African wild ass foal, born to first-time parents Jahzahra and Lars on 5 August. The African wild ass, believed to be the ancestor of the domestic donkey, faces an extremely high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

A Marwell spokesman said the zoo has breeding African wild asses successfully for many years, boosting numbers of the species, which has been on the critically endangered list since 1996.

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“The birth of this foal is an extremely important addition to the zoo, especially as we are only one of three collections in the UK to hold a breeding herd of African wild ass,” said Ian Goodwin, Marwell’s animal collection manager.

“We’re all very proud that mother and foal are doing so well. The African wild ass inhabit Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.There are estimated to be fewer than 600 in the wild so they are incredibly rare and they sadly face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.”

The zoo also welcomed two Hartmann’s mountain zebras, on 6 and 11 August. The breed which is mainly found in the wild in Namibia, Angola and South Africa, is classed as vulnerable to extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list of threatened species.

All Images ©Jason Brown Photographywww.Jasonbrownphotography.co.uk+44 7545 760582 (Image credit: Jason Brown Photography)

“The first foal was born to Dayimani and Davu and the second to Dorotka and Davu,” said the spokesman.

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“The wild Hartmann’s mountain zebra population suffered a dramatic loss in the early 1980s due to extreme droughts. While the species has recovered to more than 30,000 individuals since then, an event similar to the one in the 1980s is increasingly likely under climate change. This could wipe out more than 30% of the wild population, making the zoo populations an important back up for the conservation of the species.”

The foals, who are yet to be named or sexed, can be seen at the site in Winchester.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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