Vital to act now to save our equine heritage

The science and technology are there to protect the future of Britain’s native horses and ponies

- ELEANOR JONES

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; 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 in the UK with our native horse breeds, 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 act.”