Introduction
In recent days, the Facebook page of The Suffolk Punch Horse Hub shared a post from EquiZet. on genomic testing within the Dutch Warmblood (KWPN).
“KWPN introduced the genomic breeding values for osteochondrosis (OCD).
This value indicates the genetic predisposition of the horse in relation to the current KWPN population. The breeding value for OC gives an estimate of the genetic quality of a horse compared to the average of all KWPN horses.”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/233069560150525/permalink/3783764695080976
Jools Turner, Admin. of The Suffolk Punch Horse Hub, commented:
“And this is why I believe that the recommendation by the SHS Scientific Committee in April 2022 that the SHS should go ahead with the Genomic Wide Association Study for the Suffolk Horse should never have been overturned by a ‘full’ Council Meeting last month.
If you agree, then I would urge you to email the Society as a paid up member, asking if that decision can be looked at again. Funds are available for this study, it is not a question of lack of finances.
Maybe ask why else would it be turned down?”
Why indeed, given the parlous state of the UK Suffolk Punch Horse under the trusteeship of the Suffolk Horse Society. Why the reluctance to discover valuable information about the breed? Owners and breeders need to know the likelihood of potential genetic variations.
Together with links and extracts to previously published articles on this website, this article briefly examines why ignoring the very real problems, such as Gonodal Hypoplasia within the UK Suffolk Punch Horse Society and with some of the SHS Trustees, is a source of ongoing concern for very many owners and breeders. (See also: http://vetrepropath.com/DSD/DSD_equine/DSD_equine.html )
1. Replacement of Stock – foals born and registered.
Figure 1.0 below demonstrates that the last year for optimism was 2010 – some 12 years ago, when total foals (colts and fillies) achieved 50. Measures employed by the Suffolk Horse Society to reverse this downward trend are not succeeding.
It is not clear if the surge of inbreeding around 2010, from just below 8.0% to just over 12.0% by 2021, is affecting the disappointing breeding results. (See: Table 5.0 Uk dates of inbreeding from 1960-2021 https://suffolkpunchaustralia.com/thirteen-articles-on-the-status-of-the-suffolk-horse/a-horse-of-a-different-hue-the-suffolk-horse-1880-2022-part-1-march-2022/ )
There is, however, increasing human intervention in the breeding process. There seems to be a view that this is a necessary route to take if the Suffolk Horse in the UK is to avoid the projected genetic extinction by 2027.
Yet in North America, NASHA’s owners and breeders successfully continue mainly with natural cover. The following tables may be of interest.
and
and
2. The static and tiny population
The breeding population of the UK Suffolk Horse, ie, the actual mares and stallions who produce the foals, has remained small. As described in previous articles on this website, the Effective Population Size of the UK Suffolk Horse is the lowest of the three UK Native Breeds.
The Effective Population Size for the years 2000-2019 is still relevant. There has been no major change to the Effective Population Size for the Suffolk Horse. Figure 2 below is from the article Where are we now – May 2021, Part 1 https://suffolkpunchaustralia.com/thirteen-articles-on-the-status-of-the-suffolk-horse/where-are-we-now-may-2021-part-1-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place/
3. The “Rule of Three” for both Stallions and Mares
Stallions
As always The Elite Stallions continue to dominate breeding results, both live cover and via frozen semen.
“Figure 6 and 7 below demonstrate how much diversity is threatened with the accumulated totals over the eleven years. Between 2010-2020 a total of 258 stallions were listed, but only 149 stallions were used, with 109 stallions not used.”
Mares
Please review the Section ‘Other losses in Breeding the Mare‘ in the above link.
and the Section ‘The Mares’ in the above link. Table 14.0 2010-2021 Breeding -> Foaling Years makes for disturbing reading.
and
4. Continued Refusal by UK SHS to effectively engage with the North American Suffolk Horse Association (NASHA)
Table 1.0 and Table 2.0 above, together with Figure 2.0 demonstrate the success NASHA members have in breeding the Suffolk Punch Horse.
Several UK owners and breeders have joined NASHA in the past few years. If the UK Suffolk Horse Society continues to stall on working with NASHA to safeguard the survival of the Suffolk Horse in the UK, it would not be surprising if more UK SHS members decide their limited options mean by-passing SHS and go directly to NASHA.