Concern as Welsh section B added to rare breeds list

It is the first time any of the Welsh sections has been classed as “at risk” for a quarter of a century

- LUCY ELDER

THE Welsh section B has been classified as "rare" for the first time, following a decline in breeding numbers.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) released its 2024-25 watch list yesterday (17 April). A sustained decline in Welsh section B dams producing registered progeny from 1,044 in 2009 to below 400 in 2023 - means 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 working together 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".