Local breeds are the “Swiss military knife of equines” and calls were made to assist advertise their versatility.
The Uncommon Breeds Survival Believe (RBST) held a webinar on 7 September to speak about findings from the primary 12 months of its equine conservation undertaking, funded through the Horserace Having a bet Levy Board. The purpose of the three-year undertaking is to “considerably enhance” the facility to strengthen breed societies and breeders within the conservation standing of local equine breeds.
“It’s about elevating the profile of those breeds and their versatility and appearing that they’re the Swiss military knife of equines, and now not everyone must have a high-flying festival animal once we’ve were given the entirety that we’ve were given within the local breeds,” mentioned Andrea Parry-Jones, RBST conservation adviser.
As a part of the paintings inhabitants experiences have been created the use of knowledge from studbooks and breed societies, and a public copy survey was once performed to know problems breeders are dealing with, and create plans to assist.
The advantages of the RBST gene financial institution have been mentioned together with the facility to recreate breeding traces in the event that they transform misplaced, and semen garage. Semen research was once performed on 62 historic samples held within the gene financial institution, to verify the standard of what’s saved is acceptable and to assist with breeding selections.
“By means of the use of this knowledge we will be able to make selections on whether or not semen is are compatible for objective with regards to with the ability to be used sooner or later, and we will be able to additionally make selections once we take a look at including new stallions to the gene financial institution,” mentioned Tom Blunt, RBST senior conservation adviser.
The want to advertise the flexibility of the breeds was once highlighted, with calls to “shout about” local breeds and their other jobs and successes.
“It’s shouting concerning the breed itself and ensuring the data is available in the market that the animal can do it. We want to advertise their present makes use of moderately than what they was,” mentioned Ms Parry-Jones. “Crucial factor is to have fun good fortune.”
Yr two of the undertaking will focal point on what influences breeding selections, with the purpose of manufacturing a “perfect observe toolkit” for breed societies. Yr 3 will take a look at the broader position of local equines in society and inspiring their use.
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