In 1807, when Pedro IV of Portugal migrated to Brazil due to Napoleon’s invasion and became Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, he brought with him the best of the royal cavalry. These horses were the Alter Real—an Iberian breed closely related to Lusitanos and Andalusians that were reserved for royalty.

Alter Real stallions were crossed with local Brazilian mares to create the Mangalarga Marchador. Known for being docile, intelligent, and extremely comfortable to ride, the breed grew quickly in popularity.

There are over 700,000 Mangalarga Marchadors in Brazil today. In 1992, a Brazilian family moved to Florida and brought their beloved Mangalarga Marchador with them. Today, the U.S. Mangalarga Marchador Association works to preserve the breed in the United States and currently has 425 registered horses.

Special Gaits

The marcha gait is when the feet move alternately laterally and diagonally. The marcha picada gait has more lateral movements in a step, and is generally considered the smoothest of the gaits. The marcha batida has more diagonal movements in a step and is described as a broken trot.

Another, not-yet-recognized gait may occur, called the marcha de centro, where lateral and diagonal movement happens equally. In all these gaits, one foot is always touching the ground, so the horse is never suspended off the ground like in the trot or pace, creating a more comfortable and secure feeling for the rider.

A Noble Steed

“I had been told that Mangalarga Marchadors were very smart, but I didn’t believe it until I owned one for myself,” says Randy Gassett of Phoenix, Ariz.

Gassett had a business deal with a friend that breeds Mangalarga Marchadors, making her part owner of an unborn foal. When that foal ended up being a colt, not a filly, the plan was to sell him. But Gassett knew the colt wasn’t going anywhere once he got to her ranch.

“I fell in love with the colt and knew he was going to be as nice or nicer than my Fox Trotter,” Gassett shares. “So, I bought out my friend’s share, and Nobre do Summerwind [nobre is Portuguese for ‘noble’] was mine. He is the only Mangalarga Marchador that I have owned and is an exceptional horse!”

Now 5, Nobre is 15.2 hands and performs the marcha batida as well as the walk and canter. Gassett trained Nobre herself, competing him in in-hand trail competitions as a yearling.

“He has such a wonderful temperament, loves people, is curious and full of play, and has never tried to buck or rear while under saddle,” she says.

Now that he is older, Nobre competes in dressage and working equitation. They have qualified for the Working Equitation Zone Championship in Missoula in 2023, finishing 5th in level two.

He has many champion and reserve champion titles at both schooling and rated shows, and is now competing at level three. Gassett says Nobre has the smoothest canter she has ever ridden.

Plenty of Charisma

Carolina Peterson, who lives in Friday Harbor, Wash., has known the Marchador breed since childhood, having grown up in Brazil. She owns two geldings, Tigre do Summerwind and Kharisma do Summerwind. Tigre performs the marcha picada and is a fantastic trail horse that also does working equitation. Kharisma performs the marcha batida, and aside from trail, excels in eventing.

“Kharisma came to San Juan Island, Wash., and started his development with eventing trainer Servando Garcia, who soon introduced Kharisma to jumping,” says Peterson. “It’s easy to say it was ‘love at first sight.’ Kharisma loves to jump, loves the challenge, and trusts his rider. He is still young, but should have a great career in eventing or whatever job he chooses to do.”

While a gaited horse in eventing could normally be a challenge, Peterson says Kharisma shines.

“He has successfully competed at Novice level, quite a challenge for a gaited horse, but with Servando’s endless efforts and Kharisma’s willingness to work, he is moving toward being successful at a higher level,” she says. “Kharisma is the only Marchador participating in eventing competitions in the U.S.”

Peterson explains that dressage is difficult for gaited horses, but Kharisma is taking that on too.

“We believe quality, ambitious and well-trained Mangalarga Marchadors will perform well in any job,” she says. “Tigre and Kharisma are kind, docile, coachable and intelligent horses with big personalities.”

This article about the Mangalarga Marchador breed appeared in the October 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Mangalarga Marchador appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Trote y Galope inherited the spirit and sensitivity of the Paso Fino with the height and power of the Lusitano. And as a bonus, the Paso Fino and Lusitano gaits managed to combine to create something truly unique in the Trote y Galope: a smooth diagonal gait. 

Common History of the Trote y Galope

As a close cousin to the Paso Fino, the Trote y Galope has its roots in Colombia. The Paso Fino was developed there in the 1500s from horses brought to the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica by Spanish conquerors.

Christopher Columbus helped establish a breeding program there with the goal of supplying Spanish soldiers with horses. These carefully bred horses were then brought to both Puerto Rico and Colombia.

The horses in this breeding program carried the DNA of the Jennet, a now-extinct gaited Spanish horse. The Jennet passed along its gaits to early Paso Finos, who were also the result of crossings with Barbs and Andalusians.

The Lusitano, the other breed that provided the foundation to the Trote y Galope, is descended from early Spanish horses that lived on the Iberian Peninsula during prehistoric times. The blood of these Spanish horses became mixed with that of breeds that arrived from other parts of Europe during times of war and migration. The Lusitano descended from this mix of bloodlines and continued its development in Portugal.

Because of their strength and agility, Lusitanos became the favored breed of Spanish and Portuguese bullfighters.

Diagonal vs. Four-Beat

The Paso Fino is famous for its lateral, four-beat gaits: the classic fino, the paso corto and the paso largo. Each of these gaits results when the horse places one hoof down at a time in a four-beat rhythm. The Trote y Galope also provides a smooth ride, but they do it differently: with diagonal footfalls.

The Trote y Galope gets its name from its signature gaits: the trote and the galope. The trote is a diagonal two-beat gait without the suspension present in a standard trot. Even though it’s not a four-beat gait, it is comfortable to sit because there is no suspension. When watching performance of this gait, it looks as if the horse is marching. A 1-2, 1-2 rhythm is created when this gait is performed.

The breed’s other signature gait is the galope, which is essentially a canter with diagonal propulsion in three beats. First one hind leg strikes the ground, followed by the other hind leg and the foreleg that is diagonal to that hind leg. Finally, the other foreleg hits the ground. The sound of this movement creates a 1-2-3, 1-2-3 rhythm.

The Trote y Galope in America

The Trote y Galope is popular in Colombia and can be seen at Paso Fino shows throughout the nation. But in America, the breed is still growing.

The small numbers of Trote y Galopes here in the U.S. are being shown in western, English, jumping, trail obstacle, dressage and Paso Fino events. They also make great mounts for recreational trail riding.

The Paso Fino Horse Association considers Trote y Galope horses a separate breed from laterally gaited Paso Finos, grouping them with two other diagonally gaited breeds related to the Paso Fino: the Trocha Pura and the Trocha y Galope.

Horses registered as Paso Finos have only Paso Fino horses in their pedigrees, while the diagonally gaited horses have other breeds mixed with Paso Fino blood.

Key Takeaway

Next time you visit a gaited horse show, keep an eye out for a laterally gaited Trote y Galope. Thanks to their dramatic stature and fascinating way of going, it won’t be long before these horses are a common site in the gaited horse world.

This article about the Trote y Galope appeared in the March 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Trote y Galope appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Akhal-Teke Association of America (ATAA) runs the North American registry in partnership with the stud book. They register both pure and part-breds, and currently have over 400 registered.

The breed is known for its stamina, intelligence, athleticism, and of course that incredible metallic sheen to their coat. Another unique characteristic is the Akhal-Teke “glide” gait, which is a smooth, fast trot. They were also one of the foundation horses for the Thoroughbred breed.

One Akhal-Teke, a black stallion named Absent, won four Olympic medals in dressage with two different riders at three different Olympic Games during the 1960s.

Today, owners of the breed continue to admire this incredibly rare and beautiful horse for its amazing attributes.

The Perfect Wedding Present

Who needs dishware when you can get a stallion as a wedding present? Katrina Ardiel, current ATAA president, had loved the breed since she a child, but didn’t see one in person until she met her husband, Giles.

“When we met, he had just purchased two Akhal-Teke fillies, Azeri and Dessangul,” Katrina says. “Azeri went on to be an amazing competitor, and Dessangul is my husband’s favorite hunt horse.

“I was personally drawn to the Akhal-Teke’s intelligent affection and athletic disposition,” she continues. “They are the perfect companion and the best kind of friend. Not one that follows blindly and agrees with everything you say, but one that teaches you and challenges you just as much as you them.”

Smitten with each other and the breed, Katrina and Giles gave each other a 16.1-hand chestnut stallion, Gerald, as a wedding gift. Gerald was good at eventing, but great at dressage.

“In 2019, we competed in our first Prix St. Georges together,” Katrina says. “Currently under the direction of Canada’s dressage rider Megan Lane, Gerald and I hope to do our first small tour CDI this summer.”

One of his sons, Hendrick, has excelled in the jumper ring.

“He is athletic and fast, careful and forgiving,” Katrina says. “He is a solid 1.20-meter jumper and could probably go higher if it was not for the limitations of me, his rider! He loves his job so much as a jumper that he’s been known to refuse to leave the ring at competitions. He is a beautiful boy and an excellent example of the breed.”

Up-and-Coming Rider Program

To encourage owners of Akhal-Tekes to promote the breed, the ATAA has an Up-and-Coming Rider program that gives grants to owners who want to compete and/or attend high-profile exhibitions with their horse. Grants range from $500 to $5,000.

Kathy Thode met her first Akhal-Teke in 2017 at a friend’s farm.

“I actually had no interest in buying one, and only wanted to visit my friend, who had just moved back to the area,” says Thode. “She was bringing nine Akhal-Tekes with her. She told me all about them and I was very intrigued.” She ended up purchasing Kazimir, a 16.2-hand chestnut, from her friend.

Kazimir and Thode have received two grants in 2021 and 2022, which went toward costs of competition and to attend the Columbus Ohio Equine Affaire. The two compete in dressage, where Kazimir excels. On their off time, he also is a trusted trail mount.

“What amazes me about this breed is their calm and relaxed manner out in nature and their ability to focus on the job at hand, no matter what it might entail,” says Thode.

An Akhal-Teke as a Breyer Model

Akhal-Teke stallion Adamek was awarded the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) All Breeds Dressage award in 2022 and was chosen to be a Breyer model in that same year. Sabine Desper first started riding Adamek when she worked at Shenandoah Farm in Staunton, Va. After 10 years, the farm was dispersed upon the passing of its owner, Phil Case.

Now owned by the Akhal-Teke Foundation, she feels fortunate she gets to continue to be his rider.

“I love riding Adamek for so many reasons,” says Desper. “He is such a willing partner and always tries his hardest, even when things don’t come easy. His gaits are very comfortable, which is always an advantage in dressage. He is always happy to get ready for a ride or to load up in the trailer to go places.”

The ATAA loves to talk to people who are interested in the breed. You can contact them through their Facebook page (search “Akhal-Teke Association of America”). If you would like to meet an Akhal-Teke in person, check their website for venues where the ATAA will be in attendance.

This article about the Akhal-Teke appeared in the September 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Beautiful Akhal-Teke appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In 1861, a show class at the Orton Agricultural Exhibition was for “the best Fell Pony of any age.” During that time, record-keeping of breedings began, and Fell ponies were registered in the Polo and Riding Pony Stud Book in 1898.

But it wasn’t until 1922 that the Fell Pony Society (FPS) was organized in the United Kingdom, not to improve, but to keep pure the breed of pony that helped shape its homeland.

Today’s Fell Pony is as sturdy and even-tempered as its ancestors, though it has gotten larger in height over the centuries to suit more uses, including as an adult riding pony. They now stand between 13 and 14 hands. Black is the predominant color, although bay, brown and gray are also seen. While most are solid, they can have minimal white markings, such as a star or socks on the hind pasterns.

Celebrating the Centennial

In 2022, the FPS celebrated 100 years of the breed with a fun competition for Fell owners. Fell Pony owners around the world participated in the 100 Mile Challenge, where owners were encouraged to ride, drive, lead or otherwise log miles with their ponies to reach the 100-mile mark. Commemorative T-shirts were included, and for those that reach the mark, a special rosette to signify the accomplishment was furnished as well.

At the Royal Windsor Horse Show, held each year in May, well-known Fell Pony fan Queen Elizabeth II asked for 20 to 30 Fells to be in attendance. The Queen has been the patron of the Fell Pony Society since 1982. At the show, the FPS presented her with special gifts marking the 100 years. The FPS also held a range of events, including a Centenary Ball.

The Rare Breed of the Fell Pony

Despite their royal ties, Fell Ponies are listed as threatened by the Livestock Conservancy. The breed did not come to North America until approximately 1999, and now has around 800 horses registered. The Fell Pony Society of North America (FPSNA) is a member club for U.S. owners, but does not register horses. All Fells are registered with the UK registry.

“There are very few consistent breeders here, and fewer yet that show regularly,” says Melissa Kreuzer, chairperson and Zone 3 representative for the FPSNA. “This was different a decade ago, but some of the breeders have gotten older since I started. Virtually no breeders, besides myself, show their ponies now.”

Kreuzer has shown her own Fells in a number of disciplines. She was the 2009 U.S. Dressage Federation All Breeds Award Winner. She has won the FPSNA PPA Supreme Champion three times, with three different horses: Stennerskeugh Danny Boy (2016), DreamHayven Avalon Mist (2020) and Grace II (2021). Her stallion Littletree Bodini is a six-time FPSNA PPA Stallion Progeny Award Winner.

Perfect Trail Pony

Kimberly Dunn, owner of Get Grounded Equine, is a breeder and trainer of Fell Ponies in Oregon. She was introduced to the breed when she purchased a bay weanling colt from local breeder.

“I was looking for a unique clean-slate project that I could train for technical in-hand trail obstacle and liberty disciplines,” Dunn explains. “I was incredibly impressed with the intelligence, curiosity, sure-footedness, and agility of that colt.”

Soon after, Dunn had the opportunity to work with a 4-year-old Fell that was just beginning his riding training.

“As a trainer, my intrigue with the breed kept increasing, and I proceeded to train and start them under saddle,” she says. “The domino effect was set in place, leading me to a journey of training for other breeders as well as breeding, raising, and training for myself.”

Dunn loves trails, both for recreation and competition. The sure-footedness of the Fell Pony fit her lifestyle perfectly.

“The Fell Pony has the agility, confidence, and positive attitude needed for this versatile kind of work,” she says. “I like how they are solid in structure, maintain good balance in a variety of maneuvers, and are very strong in mind and heart. Even though they have characteristics similar to draft breeds such as calm, thoughtful temperaments, they are not dull or lazy.”

Along with trail, Dunn trains Fells to do long-lining, obstacle-based ground work, and liberty. In the past, she has done cow sorting, jumping, driving, string packing, and working equitation with this versatile breed.

“Most Americans think a pony under 14 hands is only suitable for smaller riders such as youth,” she says. “Interestingly, the Fell Pony is considered by most [as an adult’s riding horse] rather than children’s. When thinking about the measure of weight bearing ability, the Fell Pony will often show more ability structurally than many taller breeds. The direct contributing factors are substantial leg bone, short back, deep and well sprung ribs, notable muscling, and a well-balanced base that stands true to four corners.”

The Fell Pony has carried away many a heart with its quiet disposition and natural ability. If you’re looking for your next trail or all-around horse, it might be good to remember that great things come in small packages.

This article about Fell Ponies appeared in the October 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post 100 Years of Fell Ponies appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Akhal-Teke’s Fascinating History

The ancestors of the Akhal-Teke were treasured in ancient times and used as war horses throughout Eurasia. The Scythian warriors of Central Asia rode Turkoman horses hundreds of years before Christ was born.

Later, the ancient Greeks prized the Turkoman. In fact, some historians believe Alexander the Great’s famous horse Bucephalus carried the blood of this exotic breed.

In the 13th century, Mongol invasions divided the Turkmen into small clans and pushed them into the desert, northward to the plains of Kazakhstan and eastward to the shores of the Caspian Sea. Along with a group of Turkmen, some Turkoman horses became isolated in southern Turkmenistan, far from trade routes.

The Akhal, an isolated oasis surrounded by the Karakum Desert and the towering Kopet Dag mountains, located between Turkmenistan and Iran, became home to the Teke tribe. Here the Teke tribesmen developed the Akhal-Teke, a breed of ancient lineage and great purity derived from the Turkoman horse.

In the centuries that followed, the Akhal-Teke breed remained virtually unchanged as it made its way throughout Central Asia and Russia. The Teke’s nomadic lifestyle required a horse that could travel long distances at a fast pace.

In the 19th century, these horses were incorporated into the Russian Empire, and the Akhal-Teke became treasured for its beauty and athletic abilities.

In 1935, a group of Turkmene people organized to create a long-distance ride that would bring more attention to the Akhal-Teke breed. Mounted on Akhal-Teke stallions, the group rode more than 2,500 miles—from the capital of Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) to Moscow—in 84 days. The desert segment of the ride was 225 miles in length, and the horses completed it in three days with very little water.

By 1941, the first Akhal-Teke studbook was issued by the All Russian Institute of Horse Breeding. The breed was embraced in Russia, and at the end of World War II, Soviet General Zhukov rode an Akhal-Teke stallion named Arab during the Moscow Victory Parade of 1945.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the Akhal-Teke gained the attention of the rest of the world. In 1960, a black Akhal-Teke stallion named Absent—a son of Arab—won an Olympic gold medal in dressage for the Soviet Union. With his rider Sergei Filatov, Absent went on to win medals in two more Olympic Games.

Akhal-Teke In the USA

The exotic Akhal-Teke did not find its way to the United States until 1979, when Phil and Margot Case of Shenandoah Farm in Virginia imported an Akhal-Teke stallion and mare they had purchased at a Moscow auction.

The Cases used the pair to start their American breeding program, and also created the Akhal-Teke Association of America. The purpose of the association was to establish, maintain and operate a non-profit organization composed of owners, breeders and friends of the Akhal-Teke. Its goal was to preserve and promote the breed in North America.
These many years later, the Akhal-Teke Association of America estimates that upwards of 300 living Akhal-Tekes are currently registered in the U.S. The most popular use for these horses in North America is endurance.

In fact, Akhal-Tekes are making themselves known in endurance and limited-distance rides all over the world. They also compete in eventing, show jumping, dressage, western events, trail and polo.

Akhal-Tekes have a unique metallic sheen to their coats, the result of the structure of the breed’s hair, which bends light as it hits the horse’s coat, giving it a golden cast.
The astounding history and exotic good looks of this breed make it worth exploring. Through the efforts of the Akhal-Teke Association of America, the breed will continue to capture the attention of horse lovers throughout North America.

This article about the Akhal-Teke originally appeared in the September 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Breed Portrait: Akhal-Teke appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Without equines, we would not have the America we know today.

This is not at all exaggeration. Without the horses, mules, and donkeys that first came to North America, the early colonists would not have been able to survive the harsh climate, the West would not have been settled, farmers in the Midwest would not have been able to survive, and Native Americans would not have developed equestrian-based methods of hunting and warfare without the use of the mighty horse.

The equines of early America were hardy creatures that often had to fend for themselves. The rugged landscape and challenging climates, combined with scarce food and lack of veterinary care, shaped these horses and donkeys into tough, resilient breeds.

Hundreds of years later, the so-called “heritage” equine breeds are under threat. Competition from the tractor and automobile, along with two World Wars, helped wipe out equine populations around the world early in the 20th century. While a number of them survived the industrial age, some fared better than others. The heritage breeds that remain are some of the rarest and hardiest equines in the world.

Today, a handful remain in North America, representing what’s left of the original animals that worked alongside our ancestors, providing them with transportation, help on the farm, and even companionship.

Fight to Preserve

In 1978, an organization called The Conservancy was formed with the purpose of preserving these once common equines, along with other North American livestock. This nonprofit membership association works to protect endangered livestock breeds from extinction and is currently trying to save 150 breeds of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, poultry, horses, and donkeys. Of those 150 breeds of livestock, 37 are equines.

In 2006, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization estimated that an average of two domestic animal breeds are lost worldwide each week. In the U.S., The Livestock Conservancy is fighting to stem this tide. One of these efforts spawned the creation of the Endangered Equine Alliance, which held its first summit in 2018.

“The Endangered Equine Summit came about in response to a decades-long decline in horse breed registrations, not only for rare breeds, but also for more popular breeds, like Arabians and Saddlebreds,” says Charlene R. Couch, Ph.D., senior program manager for The Livestock Conservancy. “The economic challenges for all equine breeders are significant, but they are even more so for those who breed endangered horses and donkeys.”

According to Couch, ancient breeds such as the Akhal-Teke and Caspian, which have been human partners for thousands of years, are now gravely endangered.

“Even the iconic Cleveland Bay, Clydesdale, and Lipizzan horses are rare,” she says. “In our lifetime, we may bear witness to equine breed extinction.”

If the history of these breeds isn’t enough to inspire their preservation, their ability to contribute to modern equine gene pools should be.

“Heritage-breed horses are not just useful and beautiful—they are an irreplaceable reservoir of equine genetic diversity,” Couch says. “These animals offer valuable traits that were developed over centuries, such as stamina, unique gaits, hardiness, sound feet, and good skeletal structure. Many were important in the formation of America’s more popular breeds, like the American Quarter Horse. In many cases, the ancestral sources of these heritage breeds no longer exist, and that breed cannot be recreated. They are a true genetic treasure, and every loss could be significant for the future of the horse industry.”

The Endangered Equine Alliance

Shortly after the 2018 Summit, more than 50 equine breed associations, plus scientists, sporting groups, and horse industry representatives united to form the Endangered Equine Alliance. The Livestock Conservancy facilitates the exchange of information among Alliance members and serves as a central outlet for educational resources that support equine breed conservation.

So far, the Alliance has accomplished some significant goals, according to Couch.

“We have created a germplasm bank for endangered horse breeds,” she says. “The collection is a sort of ‘doomsday’ vault of genetic materials for breed conservation emergencies. Through the Alliance’s network, we facilitated the banking of semen from Newfoundland Ponies, the Marsh Tacky, Akhal-Teke, and Caspian horses so far, with other breed collections on the horizon.”

The Alliance has also worked to provide breeders with discounts from companies for semen and tissue collection of endangered equine breeds; published the Manual of Methods for Preservation of Valuable Equine Genetics, designed to help owners learn more about new reproduction technologies and how to use them to save breeds and bloodlines; hosted webinars and question-and-answer sessions with equine experts on DNA testing, advanced reproduction techniques, and marketing; and developed an Endangered Equine Alliance website for sharing articles and links, and a Rare Equine Breeds Facebook group that now has more than 2,000 followers worldwide.

“July has been designated as National Horse Month by The Livestock Conservancy, and throughout the month, we provide social media content and interviews with key individuals in the rare horse breed community,” Couch says. “Since 2018, The Livestock Conservancy has given out seven microgrants for rare horse and donkey-related projects.”

Help from Grants

The first National Endangered Equine Summit was made possible in large part by a grant from the USA Equestrian Trust, which is affiliated with U.S. Equestrian, the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States.

“The grant enabled The Livestock Conservancy to bring together representatives of approximately 50 endangered horse breed groups for the first summit,” Couch says. “The delegates to the Summit represented thousands of horse owners, and included participants from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The group was tasked with identifying the leading causes of equine breed population declines, and deciding [upon] actions that could be taken to stabilize the loss of breeds.”

Through the support of the USA Equestrian Trust, experts from the greater horse community, including sporting groups, equine-assisted therapy providers, university scientists, and national associations participated in the Summit. Panelists included partners at the American Horse Council, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, Uppsala University, the American Endurance Ride Conference, Natural Lifemanship Equine-Assisted Therapy, Rare Breeds Survival Trust/Stallion AI Services (U.K.), the Arabian Horse Association, the National Animal Interest Alliance, and the National Driving Society.

“The vision and support of the USA Equestrian Trust was crucial in bringing together such a wide representation of members of the equine industry,” Couch says. “Together, the participants saw the potential to accomplish great things by uniting in their efforts to conserve endangered equine breeds.”

Ongoing Support

In addition to work by the Endangered Equine Alliance, The Livestock Conservancy conducts an annual census of horse and donkey breeds to monitor their population growth and declines.

“We encourage registration of horses so that their numbers can be counted,” Couch says. “We maintain a large list of breeders and breed associations to help owners and enthusiasts connect with each other, share herd genetics, or collaborate on projects.”

The Conservancy also offers a competitive microgrants program to all heritage livestock and poultry growers, including horse and donkey breeders, to help boost their capacity for breeding, raising, and selling animals. They also assist owners in saving germplasm of valuable, rare bloodlines and individuals from breeds on the Conservation Priority List through discounts, networking, and other resources.

Some current research projects include genetic studies for Suffolk Punch, American Cream Draft horses, and Poitou donkeys, with the goal of uncovering genetic information that will help guide efforts to reduce the risks of inbreeding and support effective conservation.

“The Livestock Conservancy is all about education, research, and networking of owners and breeders so that we can safeguard the future of important breeds,” Couch says. “Together with owners, breeders, and the equine community, we want to move the needle for each breed, and make a meaningful contribution to its long-term survival.”

For more, visit www.livestockconservancy.org/aboutus/endangered-equine-alliance.

Breeds Needing Conservation

The Livestock Conservancy has placed the following horses on its list of critical and threatened endangered breeds:

◆ Akhal-Teke
◆ American Cream Draft
◆ Baca-Chica
◆ Banker
◆ Canadian Horse
◆ Caspian
◆ Choctaw
◆ Cleveland Bay
◆ Clydesdale
◆ Colonial Spanish Mustang
◆ Dales Pony
◆ Dartmoor
◆ Fell Pony
◆ Florida Cracker
◆ Galiceño
◆ Hackney Horse
◆ Highland Pony
◆ Irish Draught
◆ Lipizzan
◆ Marsh Tacky
◆ Newfoundland Pony
◆ Puerto Rican Paso Fino
◆ Rocky Mountain
◆ Santa Cruz
◆ Shire
◆ Suffolk Punch
◆ Sulphur
◆ Wilbur-Cruce

This article about endangered equine breeds appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Efforts to Save Endangered Equine Breeds appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

This is not at all exaggeration. Without the horses, mules, and donkeys that first came to North America, the early colonists would not have been able to survive the harsh climate, the West would not have been settled, farmers in the Midwest would not have been able to survive, and Native Americans would not have developed equestrian-based methods of hunting and warfare without the use of the mighty horse.

The equines of early America were hardy creatures that often had to fend for themselves. The rugged landscape and challenging climates, combined with scarce food and lack of veterinary care, shaped these horses and donkeys into tough, resilient breeds.

Hundreds of years later, the so-called “heritage” equine breeds are under threat.

Competition from the tractor and automobile, along with two World Wars, helped wipe out equine populations around the world early in the 20th century. While a number of them survived the industrial age, some fared better than others. The heritage breeds that remain are some of the rarest and hardiest equines in the world.

Fight to Preserve

In 2006, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization estimated that an average of two domestic animal breeds are lost worldwide each week. In the U.S., The Livestock Conservancy is fighting to stem this tide. One of these efforts spawned the creation of the Endangered Equine Alliance, which held its first summit in 2018.

“The Endangered Equine Summit came about in response to a decades-long decline in horse breed registrations, not only for rare breeds, but also for more popular breeds, like Arabians and Saddlebreds,” says Charlene R. Couch, Ph.D., senior program manager for The Livestock Conservancy. “The economic challenges for all equine breeders are significant, but they are even more so for those who breed endangered horses and donkeys.”

According to Couch, ancient breeds such as the Akhal-Teke and Caspian, which have been human partners for thousands of years, are now gravely endangered.

“Even the iconic Cleveland Bay, Clydesdale, and Lipizzan horses are rare,” she says. “And fewer than 100 traditional Morgans—horses whose pedigrees are absent of outcrosses after 1930—were registered in 2016. In our lifetime, we may bear witness to equine breed extinction.”

If the history of these breeds isn’t enough to inspire their preservation, their ability to contribute to modern equine gene pools should be.

“Heritage-breed horses are not just useful and beautiful—they are an irreplaceable reservoir of equine genetic diversity,” Couch says. “These animals offer valuable traits that were developed over centuries, such as stamina, unique gaits, hardiness, sound feet, and good skeletal structure. Many were important in the formation of America’s more popular breeds, like the American Quarter Horse. In many cases, the ancestral sources of these heritage breeds no longer exist, and that breed cannot be recreated. They are a true genetic treasure, and every loss could be significant for the future of the horse industry.”

The Endangered Equine Alliance

Shortly after the 2018 Summit, more than 50 equine breed associations, plus scientists, sporting groups, and horse industry representatives united to form the Endangered Equine Alliance. The Livestock Conservancy facilitates the exchange of information among Alliance members and serves as a central outlet for educational resources that support equine breed conservation.

So far, the Alliance has accomplished some significant goals, according to Couch.

“We have created a germplasm bank for endangered horse breeds,” she says. “The collection is a sort of ‘doomsday’ vault of genetic materials for breed conservation emergencies. Through the Alliance’s network, we facilitated the banking of semen from Newfoundland Ponies, the Marsh Tacky, Akhal-Teke, and Caspian horses so far, with other breed collections on the horizon.”

The Alliance has also worked to provide breeders with discounts from companies for semen and tissue collection of endangered equine breeds; published the Manual of Methods for Preservation of Valuable Equine Genetics, designed to help owners learn more about new reproduction technologies and how to use them to save breeds and bloodlines; hosted webinars and question-and-answer sessions with equine experts on DNA testing, advanced reproduction techniques, and marketing; and developed an Endangered Equine Alliance website for sharing articles and links, and a Rare Equine Breeds Facebook group that now has more than 2,000 followers worldwide.

Help from Grants

“The grant enabled The Livestock Conservancy to bring together representatives of approximately 50 endangered horse breed groups for the first summit,” Couch says. “The delegates to the Summit represented thousands of horse owners, and included participants from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The group was tasked with identifying the leading causes of equine breed population declines, and deciding [upon] actions that could be taken to stabilize the loss of breeds.”

Through the support of the USA Equestrian Trust, experts from the greater horse community, including sporting groups, equine-assisted therapy providers, university scientists, and national associations participated in the Summit. Panelists included partners at the American Horse Council, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, Uppsala University, the American Endurance Ride Conference, Natural Lifemanship Equine-Assisted Therapy, Rare Breeds Survival Trust/Stallion AI Services (U.K.), the Arabian Horse Association, the National Animal Interest Alliance, and the National Driving Society.

“The vision and support of the USA Equestrian Trust was crucial in bringing together such a wide representation of members of the equine industry,” Couch says. “Together, the participants saw the potential to accomplish great things by uniting in their efforts to conserve endangered equine breeds.”

Ongoing Support

In addition to work by the Endangered Equine Alliance, The Livestock Conservancy conducts an annual census of horse and donkey breeds to monitor their population growth and declines.

“We encourage registration of horses so that their numbers can be counted,” Couch says. “We maintain a large list of breeders and breed associations to help owners and enthusiasts connect with each other, share herd genetics, or collaborate on projects.”

The Conservancy also offers a competitive microgrants program to all heritage livestock and poultry growers, including horse and donkey breeders, to help boost their capacity for breeding, raising, and selling animals. They also assist owners in saving germplasm of valuable, rare bloodlines and individuals from breeds on the Conservation Priority List through discounts, networking, and other resources.

Some current research projects include genetic studies for Suffolk Punch, American Cream Draft horses, and Poitou donkeys, with the goal of uncovering genetic information that will help guide efforts to reduce the risks of inbreeding and support effective conservation.

“The Livestock Conservancy is all about education, research, and networking of owners and breeders so that we can safeguard the future of important breeds,” Couch says. “Together with owners, breeders, and the equine community, we want to move the needle for each breed, and make a meaningful contribution to its long-term survival.”

For more, visit www.livestockconservancy.org/aboutus/endangered-equine-alliance.

This article about saving endangered horse breeds appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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