British Breeder Magazine May 2020

Studbook - NEWS
At the time of writing SHB(GB) should have been holding one of two stallion gradings
originally planned for this week. Needless to say they had to be cancelled along with our
April AGM and our supreme championship ridden and breed show which was scheduled
for the beginning of July. Of course these are just a few of the many hundreds if not
thousands of equestrian events and shows that have now been cancelled or
postponed – the autumn calendar, if it goes ahead, is going to be busy. As a governing
and membership body of showing, as well as a studbook, SHB(GB) has had to furlough
members of staff. Fortunately, we can still attend to studbook duties and issue passports
although due to the veterinary lockdown, registrations will be thin on the ground for a while
yet. There is however no rush for owners to register this year’s foals which are now arriving
thick and fast as we approach the busiest time of the year for breeders.
Sport Horse Breeding
of Great Britiain
To test or not to test
While many of our stud and stallion owners are reporting good numbers of visiting mares
it is too early to tell, or guess, what effect Covid 19 will have on the breeding industry.
One suspects however that in order to counteract what are bound to be more expensive
production costs many breeders and studs will be tightening belts and reducing their
own expenses wherever possible. One of the costs that often goes out of the window
when breeders feel the pinch is the cost of DNA testing, that is verifying the breeding and
bloodlines the of the foal. Whilst the cost of one DNA test could be considered negligible in
the lifetime of a horse understandably the cost of 10 or more can represent a decent saving
to a breeder. The fact that in the UK breeders even have a choice and can opt for what we
call an identity passport – that is one without DNA verification is still surprising. In Europe if
you want your foal or potential competition horse to do anything in the future, eg compete
or breed, then the foal has to be DNA tested. It is considered non-negotiable. In France
horses that are not fully verified and registered with the governing body of the Haras
Nationaux are not allowed to compete at any level above riding club level. No affiliated
competition. Simple. It is fully accepted that DNA testing is what you do.
Breeding unknown
SHB(GB) too insists that all foals wishing to be entered in the studbook are DNA tested
to verify their breeding. It will say in the passport that the horse has been tested. Lack of
DNA verification simply stacks up problems for the future of the horse and its future owner.
Just entering the breeding because you know what it is, is meaningless when it comes to
discipline registration for example. All horses that compete in young horse classes have
to have a DNA verified three-generation pedigree. Once the DNA testing is stopped the
breeding officially becomes unknown which is why, for example, many well-known
British-bred international horses have U/K by their name in World Breeding ranking.
Meaning their breeders miss out and stallions miss out on what could have been a bigger
stud career. Colts cannot come forward for grading if they do not have a fully verified
three-generation pedigree. Not DNA testing fillies means their future offspring or
grandchildren will have unknown breeding and be denied grading and that includes mare
grading. In order to be included in full stud books mares too have to have proven
three-generation parentage.
Beware bargain passports
One excuse for obtaining an identity passport, is that the horse is (or will be) a gelding
and therefore will not appear in the future gene pool. True, but geldings are the majority
of competition horses and most of us certainly want to know the breeding of competition
horses – how else do you know which stallion is producing what. It is so frustrating to
come across U/K by a horse’s name in a programme. While only studbooks and breed
societies can record the breeding in a passport part of the problem in the UK is that we still
have other passport issuing organisations (PIOs) offering cheaper identity passports. These
non-studbook and breed societies are legally not allowed (re DEFRA minimum operating
standards) to record breeding. Yes having the breeding verified (by taking a sample of
tail hair with roots) takes longer to issue the passport – no studbook can issue a verified
passport in less than four weeks. It will be worth the wait.
Revised contact details
In-line with Government requirements and like many other organisations, SHB(GB) is
currently working with reduced office staff. The telephone line (01732 866 277) remains
open for calls, Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.00 – 12.00. In addition, any
queries can be emailed to office@sporthorsegb.co.uk. We wish you all well. Please stay
safe and please follow Government guidelines during this difficult time for everyone.
36 | BRITISH BREEDER