Why do we have rare breeds?

According to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), there are currently 5 breeds of horse and pony on the official 2016 Watchlist, classed as Critical – Critical defined as there being fewer than 300 registered adult breeding females in the UK.

Britain is a country with an admirable huge variety of versatile, hardy native breeds, yet many of them have made it onto this Watchlist. Why?

There are a number of reasons why breeds become rare, such as their characteristics do not suit modern-day demands, their once admired traits fall out of fashion, or even that people are yet to realise what the breed can offer.

Our native ponies were generally bred in harsh, isolated areas, with unforgiving weather and terrain, and they adapted to survive on very little. They were also expected to lug heavy weights and work hard, whether that was down mines, pulling carriages, or carrying fully-grown men laden with their kit across fells and up mountains. Throughout history, our native breeds have been simply invaluable and embedded into our way of life.

But as our modern day lives change, those of our mounts are expected to adapt. Being kept on fertilised pasture, and barely worked during the week while we are busy doing other things or working in offices to pay the bills, is not natural to many of our native breeds, and they will struggle – whether that is seen in their health or temperament.

For example, topping the list is the Cleveland Bay, without a doubt Britain’s oldest breed of horse. It is incredibly versatile, throughout history having been used to pull the heaviest coaches, plough the land, and take the people of Yorkshire hunting. These days it can be found adapting to all modern disciplines including show jumping and showing, and is definitely a breed on the rise.

Eriskay ponies are small, immensely strong and can survive in the harshest of conditions, hailing from the Western Isles of Scotland. The difficulty in accessing the Isle to provide new blood to the breed meant that the pure-bred herd had declined to around 20 animals by the early 1970s, but they have been very slowly building themselves back up ever since.

On the opposite end of the size chart to the Eriskay, the Suffolk Punch is principally an agricultural horse, their large flat feet ensuring they do not sink into the heavy clay lands of their native East Anglia. They are true gentle giants and always chesnut in colour, and can still be seen in ploughing matches and driving trials, giving the modern machinery a run for its money.

The Hackney Horse and Pony has made the critical category; their decline likely occurring as motor vehicles replaced horse-drawn carriages on the road. With their impressive high knee action, they still make a fine carriage horse.

All of our native breeds have played their part in the war effort, which caused their numbers to dwindle in the early-to-mid twentieth century, and the Hackney was no different, doing their bit as cavalry mounts and artillery horses.

These days they are primarily bred for the show ring, where they continue to impress and excel.

The Royal Family have played a massive part in the boost of our native rare breeds, such as through their own breeding agendas or simply being ambassadors for the respected breed societies.

For example, Her Majesty the Queen gave the Cleveland Bay a huge boost in the 1960s after the breed was severely depleted in numbers by Britain’s war effort on the front line, by purchasing a colt due to be exported, and making it available for public stud in the UK.

HRH Queen Elizabeth is also an avid supporter of Fells and Highland’s especially, which has undoubtedly boosted their popularity. Although both of those breeds are still on the Watchlist, they are classed as “Vulnerable”, with 500 to 900 registered adult breeding females in the UK. This is a stark contrast to the Fells’ close cousin, the slightly bigger and more robust Dales Pony, who is really struggling.

The Dales Pony itself is also classed as critical, yet described by its breed society as having “the combination of good conformation with energy and ability make the Dales pony excellent for riding” teamed with “a bold temperament, great presence and an eye-catching fast trot, together with stamina, agility and a calm, sensible nature” – what is there not to like? They really do have it all, so why on earth are more of us not riding and enjoying them?

There are many more equine breeds unfortunately gracing the RBST Watchlist, and although not critical, they still need the help and support – but most importantly the recognition – of the general public, to stop them falling further towards the critically endangered category. And of course, it’s not just equines. There are records kept of breeds of sheep, cattle, pigs, poultry and goats that are all at risk of dying out.

We are so fortunate to be blessed with so many beautiful and unique native breeds, and they all have so much to offer, which simply begs the question: why are they rare breeds?!

Breeders trying desperately and passionately to preserve these invaluable breeds, simply cannot afford to go on without the support of good horsemen and women buying their stock.

So please give it a thought when you are scouring the adverts for your next ridden companion, your driven next-best-friend, or versatile, invaluable turn-your-hoof-to-anything soul-mate, that there are scores of well-bred native breeds out there struggling to get noticed and off of the rare breeds Watchlist, when they really do have so much more to offer, and help secure these fantastic breeds and bloodlines for the future generations.

They have all had a massive part to play in Britain’s history, but for many, their biggest challenge is helping to shape Great Britain’s future.


Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Dales Pony Society
Cleveland Bay Society
Eriskay Pony Society
Suffolk Horse Society
Hackney Horse Society