Suffolk Punch in Australia March 2022

There still   appears to be  some confusion as to the numbers of 100% pedigree Suffolk Punches in Australia to date.:  March 2022.  The phrase “100% pedigree Suffolk Punch” means that both the Sire and the Dam have been entered in the pedigree register of:

                1. The Suffolk Horse Society in the UK,   or:
                2. The North American Suffolk Horse Association

Note:   The Australian Suffolk Punch Registry & Grading-up Registry (ASPGUR)  maintains a record of both The UK SHS registered Suffolk Horses, and NASHA registered Horses (100% Suffolk Punch SHS & NASHA).   It does NOT register them.

In the two years since March 2020, five  100% pedigree Suffolk Horses have died in Australia

So how many 100% pedigree Suffolk Punches are in Australia today (March 2022)?   To the best of our knowledge: 

 Ten, 100% pedigree Suffolk Punches

                      • 1 ageing mare
                      • 4 young mares
                      • 1 very young mare
                      • 3 young stallions
                      • 1 colt

There are quite a few part-bred and graded horses with Suffolk Punch bloodlines from one or two imported (100%) Suffolk Punch Stallions.   Many of these have the look of a Suffolk and are fine looking animals.    They are not, however, routinely registered with UK Suffolk Horse Society, except for only  one or two rare exceptions.   

In Australia all part-bred or grade horses meeting the criteria are eligible for registration with the ASPGUR.   Some of these progeny are registered with The Australian Suffolk Punch & Grading-up Registry as full draught grade horses, but also part-bred grade: unfortunately, not all.   

This is disappointing because accurate documentation must be kept to ensure:

                • integrity in the breeding records,
                • identification of the animal
                  • which must include  DNA Analysis if wishing to continue grading up with the horse.

 

*NB. with the ASPGUR, grading up may be via either the Sire and or the Dam.

 

 

© Eleanor Yvonne Hatch, Suffolk Punch Australia 2022