British Breeder Magazine May 2021

Studbook - News
Organisation (WAHO) was founded.
Today, there are 82 countries affiliated
to WAHO as registering Authority
Members, either in their own right or in
the care of a neighbouring studbook
authority. WAHO is responsible for
ensuring that standards acceptable
to all Registering Authority Members
are established and maintained in
the matters of regulations, methods of
registration and production of Stud
Books. The basic objectives of WAHO
are:
• To preserve, improve and maintain
the purity of the blood of horses of
the Arabian breed and to promote
public interest in the breeding of
Arabian horses;
• To promote and facilitate the
acquisition and distribution of the
knowledge in all Countries of the
history, care and treatment of horses
of the Arabian breed;
• To advise and co-ordinate the
policies and activities of Members
of the Organization;
• To co-operate with any person
or body of persons domiciled
throughout the world in an
endeavour to promote uniformity
in terminology, definitions and
procedures relative to the breed of
Arabian horses;
• To act in a consultative capacity
in discussion and negotiation with
International, National and other
authorities on matters concerning
horses of the Arabian breed.
At the historic 1970 meeting in London
Major Ian Hedley said something which
the Executive Committee of WAHO still
believe in to this day. He said the world
saw the Arabian horse in the beginning
as a war horse, but he hoped that it
would finally become an instrument of
peace and understanding.
All the members of WAHO Executive
have to be thanked for the tremendous
contribution they have made over the
years, as they worked together to turn
this hope into a reality, in the interest
of the Arabian horse. With its strong
commitment to protecting the integrity
of the world’s Arabian studbooks, to
education and to equine welfare issues
especially those which affect our breed,
WAHO’s achievements over the past
forty years have laid a solid foundation
on which to build for the future, as we
face the many challenges facing horse
breeders and owners everywhere,
and the scientific and communication
innovations that lie ahead.
WAHO Conferences are held around
the world bi-annually. Delegates and
Observers join together to listen to
exceptional talks and demonstrations.
They are able to see Arabian horses
in different countries and discuss and
debate issues affecting all Registries.
There is a Registrars meeting to kick
off the Conferences whilst Observers
may enjoy special guided tours of the
cities and areas before and after the
Conference Events.
The Arabian Mare, a true friend. Aliha and Emma
Maxwell – photo Sweet Photography
Following the very interesting webinars
from British Breeding, it seems that
worldwide organisations are now being
encouraged to help in the preservation
of breeds and to increase the gene pools
– for instance the Thoroughbreds and the
Cleveland Bays.
Perhaps Arabian breeders have
already more knowledge of what
can go wrong with science through
worldwide experience. There are
mandatory WAHO registration rules
which are written into every country’s
own registration rules together with some
recommendations which each country
can decide whether to adopt or not.
Votes are taken on whether to accept
these rules at the Conferences with each
country having 2 votes.
Prior to the use of AI, horses were sold
and transported around the world. AI
changed many things. First, popular
stallions were able to breed more
mares. Stallions of lower fertility were
also able to breed by AI. The number of
stallions available started to shrink and
the use of popular in hand show horses
focussed people’s attention around the
world, using similar popular bloodlines
in many countries. Before AI a distinct
difference of Arabian horse was found in
different countries depending on which
bloodlines were imported. Breeders
set up groups of horses, for instance,
Crabbet, Pure Egyptian, Polish and
Spanish.
Now most of these groups have bred
together so limiting outcrosses. The
result is a smaller, not larger gene pool.
The late Rosemary Archer, author and
breeder, constantly reminded people
that upsetting the equilibrium would
cause serious harm to the breed. Other
people also believe that the Arabian is
seen by many as a hot-blooded horse
which is not the case. Most Arabians
are the kindest, friendliest and smartest
horse there is. Once you have ridden
an Arabian, many are hooked for life.
They are your best friend and there for
you. As a family riding horse, they are
perfect, neither too big nor too small
and able to carry weight. So how do we
use this knowledge today? In the light of
the many interesting webinars that have
been held during lockdown, perhaps we
can learn a few things. The Arabian gene
pool is shrinking fast despite bloodlines
available in so many countries. In this
country, particularly, there are not many
people who are able to keep a stallion.
As a result, many good and talented
colts end up as geldings.
One scenario needs to be looked at.
Semen can be collected once a horse
is 3 years old. If people are able to
keep their colts entire until this age, then
these colts can be collected and their
semen frozen. This way more stallions
can be available and the gene pool
can be increased. I believe storing
frozen semen, is cheaper than owning a
stallion. The stallion can then be gelded
and take up a competition career. It is
more and more difficult getting help to
stand stallions at stud, having visiting
mares can be hard work especially with
vet’s visits and other issues. The cost of
sending a mare to an AI Centre is not so
high in comparison.
Sadly, it has been seen that accepting
new forms of science can start off as a
benefit to breeding but unfortunately
can then be abused. It has been seen
that AI and Embryo Transfer have two
downsides. With AI a stallion can
inseminate far more mares with one
collection and with embryo transfer in
some countries it is so normal that mares
are flushed numerous times and even
as maidens, and never have their own
foal. One Arabian registry in Europe
has 25% of its registered foals annually
by embryo transfer. We do not yet know
the full affect all this has on mares, but
some people are concerned about the
welfare of the donor mares. Science can
help but how far do we go?
With the new post Covid era beginning,
I believe the Arabian and its derivative
can give a rider the wonderful feeling of
freedom and fun. Whatever equestrian
sport you want to do, the Arabian can
compete in or riders can just enjoy this
beautiful country of ours riding a horse.
However, we need to secure the future of
this gracious breed or it may be lost and
it will also be on the critical list.
BRITISH BREEDER| 29