British Breeder May 2025 Edition

May 2025
THE LATE
CHILLI MORNING
former Badminton winner and
sire of 2025 competitors Chilli
Knight & Jalapeno
Veterinary
Role of Fetal ECG
Studbook News
British Bred News
Foaling Alarms
Worming Advice

May Issue
2 | British Breeder

May Issue
Welcome
from the editor
On the cover
The late Chilli Morning, sire of two
competitors, Chilli Knight & Jalapeno, at
this year’s MARS Equestrian Badminton
Horse Trials. Ridden by William Fox-Pitt.
Photo by Adam Fanthorpe.
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other than that in which it is published.
The British Breeding Stallion Event
in February kicked off the beginning
of the breeding season with an
excellent array of young and older
stallions on show.
Finally the short days of winter have
come to an end and we are now
firmly in the breeding season with
foals popping out and stallion orders
flying out.
This issue coincides with the MARS
Equestrian Badminton Horse Trials
which also has a parade of Sports
Horse of Great Britain listed eventing
stallions available at stud on display
after the last dressage test on the
Friday. So if you are undecided on
your eventing stallion choice this is
another great chance to see some of
the stallions in action.
This year, the MARS Equestrian
Badminton 5*L is boasting a range
of top British bred horses in its line
up including Classic VI, Graff enacht,
Lordships Graff alo, Opposition
Contents
4-14 News
14 GB PRE
17-27 Studbook News
17-18 Anglo European Studbook
20-21 Arab Horse Society
22-23 Sport Horse Breeding
25 Sports Pony Studbook
Society
Heraldik Girl, Bling, Dassett Rock
Star, Chilli Knight, Jalapeno, Topspin
to name a few. We look forward to
supporting them in the quest for a
British Bred Win.
Many of you will already be
aware of some of the new DEFRA
requirements for studbook
registrations of foals; if not, then you
can find info on this in our news
section, and we advise you keep in
touch with your chosen studbook for
regular updates.
The British Breeder magazine is
available for anyone to pick up at
various breeding events but to be sure
to receive it every quarter then please
do go to www.british-breeding.com
and sign up as a Member.
We would like to wish you all a
very successful start to the 2025
Breeding season.
Your British Breeding Team
26-27 Irish Draught Horse
Society
29-30 Foaling Alarms
32-33 Parasite Control for
Young Horses
34-35 The Role of Fetal ECGs
37-38 Protein for Broodmares,
Foals & Youngstock
British Breeder | 3

News
IMPORTANT NEWS AFFECTING
Diary Dates
17th May 2025
NPS Dressage Finals
Bury Farm EC, Buckinghamshire
19 - 20th July 2025
Arab Horse Society
National Championships
at Addington Manor,
Buckinghamshire
25 - 27th July 2025
GB PRE – ANCCE 3***
Morphology Competition &
Championship Show
Hartpury (including British
Breeding Evaluations courtesy of
GBPRE on 24th July)
26th July 2025
IDHS(GB) Championship
series final
RIHS Hickstead
5 - 7th August 2025
NPS Summer Championships
Three Counties Showground,
Worcestershire
5 - 10th August 2025
World Breeding Championships
Dressage
Verden
14th Aug 2025
SPSS Stallion & Mare Grading
Catherston Stud, Hampshire
SO20 8HX
22nd Aug 2025
SPSS Stallion & Mare Grading
Bromyard EC, Worcestershire
HR7 4SR
10 - 13th October 2025
WBFSH General Assembly
Nottingham Road, South Africa
27 October 2025
Judges Assessment Day
Ryders Equestrian in Lancashire.
Contact judges@idhsgb.org.uk
Date TBA
SPSS Stallion & Mare Grading
Ladykirk Equitation, Scotland
BRITISH BREEDING FUTURITY
EVALUATIONS
24th July
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Hartpury College,
Gloucestershire
14th August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Catherston Stud, Hampshire
15th August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Aster Horses, Kent
20th August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Beechwood EC, Essex
21st August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Home Farm, Hothorpe,
Leicestershire
WBFSH Votes to Make DNA Pedigree
Verification Obligatory for All Member
Studbooks
At the last General Assembly in Lisbon,
the WBFSH Member Studbooks voted
to make DNA Pedigree Verifi cation
obligatory for all member studbooks.
This will affect all breeders wishing to
passport their foals with AES, BHHS,
Breeders Elite, SHBGB and WBS-UK.
Passporting with a WBFSH
Member Studbook
entitles your horse
to participate
in the World
Breeding
Championships
for Eventing,
Dressage and
Showjumping.
Please contact your
studbook for more
information.
26th Aug 2025
SPSS Mare Grading
Easton College, Norfolk NR9 5DU
27 - 28th August 2025
BHHS Annual Show
at Moreton Morrell
29th Aug 2025
SPSS Mare Grading
Reaseheath College, Cheshire
CW5 6DF
6 - 7th September 2025
IDHS(GB) National
Championship Show
Onley Grounds
14th September 2025
NPS Great British In Hand
Show plus Arena Eventing &
Performance Show
Vale View, Leicestershire
22nd August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Bromyard EC, Worcestershire
26th August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Easton College, Norwich
27th August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Team Hayler Dressage, Teeside
28th August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Northcote Stud, Lancashire
29th August
British Breeding
Futurity Evaluation
Reaseheath College, Cheshire
British-bred success
across the BD Regional
Championships
Above: Amy
Woodhouse and
DBM Secre-C.
Photo credit -
Kevin Sparrow
The British Dressage Winter Regional
Championships provide a highlight of
the winter season, leading to the NAF
Five Star Dressage Championship
fi nale hosted at Addington Equestrian,
Buckinghamshire, from 16 - 20 April.
British-bred horses shone across
4 | British Breeder

News
SPORTS HORSE AND PONY BREEDERS IN THE UK
The British Hanoverian Horse Society
(BHHS) proposed this motion, which
outlined the importance of implementing
DNA screening for all foals within
the WBFSH member studbooks as a
mandatory practice. DNA screening is
a crucial step in ensuring the security,
integrity, and credibility of bloodlines
within the equine community. By
adopting this practice, the WBFSH
and its members can deter fraudulent
activities, protect its reputation, and
promote responsible breeding practices.
The benefits of this initiative include:
• Security of Bloodlines: Ensures that
the lineage of every horse is
accurately documented.
• Fraud Deterrence: Reduces the risk
of fraudulent claims regarding a
horse’s pedigree.
• Enhanced Credibility: Strengthens
the reputation of the organization
as a leader in maintaining ethical
breeding practices.
• Informed Breeding Decisions:
Provides breeders with accurate
information, leading to more informed
breeding decisions.
Equine DNA screening has become
an increasingly common practice in
the industry. Advances in genetic
technology allow for precise
identification of parentage and verifying
lineage claims. Many leading warmblood
studbooks have already adopted it to
uphold the integrity of their registries.
The adoption of mandatory DNA
screening for all foals is a proactive
measure that aligns with the long-term
goals of WBFSH to uphold the highest
standards in horse breeding. This
initiative will safeguard the security of
bloodlines, deter fraudulent activities,
and enhance the overall reputation of
the WBFSH and of the breeding industry.
One important factor for consideration
is that “conventional” STR testing for
pedigree confirmation constitutes a
lost opportunity, as it does not provide
any information about known genetic
diseases and cannot be used to lay
the foundation for future research
in genomics, as the ca 17 markers
determined by this kind of testing
are not sufficient. We therefore hope
that British studbooks will take this
opportunity of creating a level playing
field in DNA testing to move to SNP
testing of ca. 80,000 markers, which
can be used for research and lead to
significant improvements in sport horse
breeding in the long run.
At British Breeding we continue to
support the development of breeding
through phenotype collection at the
British Breeding Baileys Horse Feeds
Futurity. Detailed phenotype information
from linear scores will be crucial to
support future developments
in genomics.
British Dressage News
the eight fixtures, with a collection of
standout performances.
At Bishop Burton College in East
Yorkshire, Jennifer Martell’s Secretsired
gelding DBM Secre-C looked
one to watch for the future. Ridden
by Amy Woodhead, the six-year-old
secured an impressive 76.72% in the
Prestige Novice Gold, making them
the highest-scoring combination of the
competition. The gelding, who will be in
action on Thursday 17 April at the Winter
Championships, is AES registered and
was bred by Kristina Floyd-Walker.
At the same venue another promising
young star was Becky Moody’s fiveyear-old
home-bred mare, Duende
Roo (Dankeschoen x Sir Donnerhall
II). Piloted by Anna Burns, the talented
mare delivered a stellar performance to
claim the HorseHage Preliminary Gold
on 74.93%. “She’s a really cool mare and
has such a good work ethic,” said Anna,
who backed and produced her herself.
“At the moment, we’re just focusing on
building her strength and confidence.
She hasn’t been to many shows yet, but
she’s such a lovely, willing horse to ride.”
Moving to the South, Matt Frost’s stallion
Kerouac impressed in the the Magic Prix
“She’s a really cool
mare and has such
a good work ethic”
St Georges Gold with an excellent score
of 71.471%. Bred by Gavin Makinson, the
KWPN registered Kerouac is an AES
Approved Stallion by the world famous
Sezuan and out of the Sorento-sired
mare Everoniek.
British youth team rider Demi Howard-
Cartwright continued the success of
British-bred horses as she piloted
Newton Astro Nascente to a double
victory at Wellington, earning the
Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle
Silver title on 74.111% and the Black
Country Saddles Advanced Medium
Silver on 70.509%. The nine-yearold
gelding, bred by Newton Stud
and introduced to the arena by Elite
Dressage, has recently been announced
on the BD long-list for the 2025
European Championships for
Junior Riders.
In Wales, a British-bred mother and son
duo from the North Wiltshire-based
Seagry Stud caught attention and
topped the leaderboard at Little Mill
Equestrian. Seagry rider Abbie Newbury
guided the seven-year-old Seagry
Viceroy to first place in the Nupafeed
Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold
and Black Country Saddles Advanced
Medium Gold, scoring 71.11% and 69.81%.
Whilst his dam Seagry Firstamour (For
Romance x Stedinger) also shone,
securing the NAF Superflex Intermediate
I Silver title.
“He’s still very new to the level and has
strength to build, but he’s so talented
and a joy to ride and train,” Abbie
commented about Seagry Viceroy,
known as ‘Roy’. Looking ahead, she
hopes he will follow in his mother’s
footsteps: “Amy [Seagry Firstamour] is
training at Grand Prix level at home, and
I’m very hopeful Roy will do the same.”
There was also home-bred success in,
as Jo Barry and her mare Karisma II (San
Amour x Donnabel) were in fine form,
claiming the Spillers Medium Freestyle
Gold regional crown with 72.89% at
Netherton Equestrian.
To find out more about following the
competition at the NAF Five Star
Winter Championships, please visit
www.britishdressage.co.uk.
British Breeder | 5

News
British Bred Spring
Triumph in Europe
Mediterranean Equestrian
Tour (MET)
Simon Buckley claimed second in the
feature world ranking 1.50m Grand Prix
on the Spring Mediterranean Equestrian
Tour (MET) in Spain, with the British-bred
Millfield Hickson. Simon opted for an
easier round on the young Hickstead
White x Quinar nine-year-old – a 2024
Foxhunter and Talent Seeker finalist he
has produced since British Novice days
– going for a nice trip second time out
to finish 3.51 seconds in arrears as one
of only three double clears.
At the same festival, Lauren Caroline
jumped to the top of the Gold 1.40m
speed on the eight-year-old mare BE
Cuick One (Cuick Star Kervec x Golden
Hawk), beating their 51 rivals by almost
two seconds.
Millie Dickson claimed third on
another Millfield bred gelding, Millfield
Digress, in the in the Six-year-old
1.25m two-phase.
Spanish Sunshine Tour
Chloe Winchester triumphed in the 2*
Small Grand Prix with Toblerone OS.
Ten of the original 50 starters qualified
for the jump-off over the 1.40m track,
Chloe finding the shortest route on
the eight-year-old Contendor x Flipper
D’Elle stallion to win by 0.93 seconds.
Brits claimed several wins in the
supporting classes: Emily Ward doubled
up with Millfield Lottery, galloping ahead
British Showjumping News
to win a 2* 1.30m
speed with 0.92
seconds in hand.
Emily and the Plot
Blue eight-year-old
also led a British
top three in a later
2* 1.35m speed,
winning with half a
second to spare.
Ben Walker
doubled up with
a 2* 1.20m win
aboard the nineyear-old
Kantini
(Velini x Elanville)
and a Five-year-old
1.10m two-phase riding Arya (Klaris Giddy
Up x Je T’Aime Flamenco) while Ronnie
Jones topped a Six-year-old 1.20m with
SLH Fantastico (Fantaland x Landeur).
Andalucia Sunshine Tour
Chloe Winchester was a 4* 1.45m winner,
topping Sunday’s
51-horse speed with
the 10-year-old mare
Korlenski (Cornet
Obolensky x Mozart
Des Hayettes) by
4.59 seconds.
Joe Fernyhough
scored a victory
double. Calcourt
Countdown pulled
it out of the bag
for Joe in the 4*
1.45m two-phase,
the nine-year-old
Westpoint Quickfire
x Landjunge mare
flying into the top
spot ahead of all
54 rivals to win by
1.07 seconds. The
nine-year-old mare
Calcourt Supersonic
marked Joe’s other
win in the 4* 1.35m
with a 0.20 second
advantage over
second-placed
Simon Crippen’s
also British bred
Zeus Vancouver.
Other British wins included: 4* 1.30m
winners included Emily Ward on the Plot
Blue eight-year-old Millfield Lottery and
Red Morgan aboard the Chacco-Blue
17-year-old True Blue III.
In the age classes Ronnie Jones aboard
SLH Fantastico headed the Six-year-old
classes while Harry Bateman topped a
Seven-year-old on Strike A Pose.
Later in the festival we find Chloe
Winchester again jumped Korlenski
into third in an early 4* Big Tour 1.50m.
Seventy-four competitors contended
over course-deisigner Leopoldo
Palacios’ 12-fence, 14-effort track with
Chloe slipping the Cornet Obolensky
x Mozart Des Hayettes 10-year-old
mare into third 1.98 seconds behind the
winner, Brazil’s Victor Castro de Lima.
Chloe and Korlenski went on to win
Saturday’s Medium 1.40m speed with
more than three seconds to spare over
Joe Fernyhough’s Calcourt Supersonic.
Joe and the nine-year-old Supersonic
(Grandorado TN x Concorde) were on
form, outpacing 52 rivals to take the 4*
Big Tour 1.35m speed by 0.44 seconds.
Left: Millfield Hickson as a foal. Photo by Susan Jaggar
Below: Chloe Winchester and Korlenski
PHOTO BY MAX MOTION MEDIA
6 | British Breeder

May Issue
STAND
DELIVER
Big Star | Stallion AI Services
WITH
SUREGROW
EJ Eldridge, Stallion AI Services Yard Manager says it all
“We’ve had amazing results with D&H Suregrow, the horses look
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BREEDING ROYALTY
For feed advice, please call our helpline team on 01270 782 223
or email helplineenquiries@dodsonandhorrell.com
www.dodsonandhorrell.com
British Breeder | 7

May Issue
SPRINGFIELD STUD
OLYMPIC BREEDERS
ANSIEI XX
16.1HH, 2007, TB, Sport Horse Breeding (GB) Life Graded
with Selle Francais and Horse Sport Ireland, WFFS CLEAR
STUD FEE - £600 + VAT
He has over £188,000 in race winnings with his youngstock
competing at 4* level in eventing, Supreme Champions in
showing/breeding. Being a full TB he is suited to most types
of mares. He will be standing at West Kington Stud for 2025.
VENTERPRISE
16.1HH, 2015, British Warmblood by VOLTAIRE,
Licenced AES, WFFS CLEAR
STUD FEE - £600 + VAT
He has jumped internationally in show jumping and his
oldest youngstock are showing great potential under saddle.
He is very much a Warm Blood type and is ideally suited to
most types of mares. A very talented young stallion.
SPRING’S SPIRIT
16.1HH, 2009, 75% TB, Sport Horse Breeding (GB),
Olympic Sire and Breeders Elite approved, WFFS CLEAR
STUD FEE - £750 + VAT
He is the sire of Safira who competed in Paris 2024
Olympics and won a Bronze medal at the Pan American
Games 2023. He is very refined and his offspring are
showing huge talent.
SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY
16.3HH, 2004, 75% TB, WFFS CLEAR,
Olympic Grand Sire
STUD FEE - £250 + VAT
An Elite futurity champion with an overall assessment
of 9.25/ He is the sire of 2* eventers and Grand Sire of
an Olympian.
Visit our website for more information on www.springfieldstud.com
Contact: John 07717 432814 | john.chambers191@gmail.com
8 | British Breeder

News
British Showjumping News
Above: Starcent owned by Jude Burgess. PHOTO BY CERYS WITHEY
Megan James’s Balouish was pushed
into second by 0.35 seconds in the
94-strong 4* Medium Tour 1.40m speed
and Will Edwards headed a 4* Big Tour
1.35m two-phase with SHW Candies
B, the 15-year-old Chacco-Blue x
Heartbreaker mare winning by
0.91 seconds.
Jude Burgess was a double Medium
Tour 1.30m winner with Starcent, the
seven-year-old Big Star
x Toulon mare winning
a 70-horse speed class
by almost two seconds
and a two-phase with
2.24 seconds to spare.
Emily Ward was another
Medium 1.30m double
winner riding the eightyear-old
Millfi eld Lottery
(Plot Blue x Mr Blue),
winning by 2.02 seconds
in the speed and topping
the two-phase with 3.64
seconds in hand over
Red Morgan’s True
Blue III.
victory and went on
to add Saturday’s
1.40m to their tally in
the 12-strong decider
by 2.45 seconds. The
consistent pair rounded
off the week with
victory in the fi nal day’s
world ranking 2* 1.45m.
The 42 starters were
reduced to 12 for the
jump-off, but such was
the hot competition,
they had to share fi rst
place with France’s
Olivier Perreau, after
dead-heating on time.
Mark claimed another world ranking win
with Dillinger NE. Forty-nine competitors
came forward in the 2* 1.45m speed and
Grand Prix qualifi er, Mark and the Diarado
10-year-old outpacing all rivals to win the
hotly contended class by 0.08 seconds.
The home-bred eight-year-old Tinkers
Touch (Tornesch x Tinkas Boy) made
Mark’s wins to fi ve in a 2* 1.40m speed,
deftly holding off 95 challengers to
triumph with 2.67 seconds to spare.
Moura Spring Tour, Valencia
Sienna Charles was less than a second
from a 3* Grand Prix victory and had to
settle for second place on the Moura
Spring Tour in Valencia, Spain. Thirty
competitors tackled the 13-fence,
16-effort 1.50m course but the subtle
questions reduced them down to fi ve
for the jump-off. Sienna claimed an
early lead with the Typhoon S X Caletto
II 11-year-old Chawton, but last to go,
France’s Aurelien Leroy pipped her at
the post with a 0.81 second victory.
Sienna and Chawton had shown their
form early in the week with third in
the 3* 1.45m. Six of the original 30
starters returned for the jump-off, Sienna
jumping another clear round to fi nish
0.70 second behind the winning time.
James missed out on a win in Thursday’s
3* 1.45m speed, settling for second by
2.18 seconds on the Erdento 11-year-old
Juno Rose 23.
Copy kindly supplied by British Showjumping
St Tropez
Mark Edwards enjoyed
a successful show at
St Tropez – Gassin
Spring Tour in France,
totting up fi ve wins to his
credit. Royale Tale was
the mainstay for Mark,
notching up a hat-trick
of wins. Starting with
day one’s 84-strong
2* 1.35m speed as an
easy run, the 10-yearold
Montreuxs Tale x
Cavalier Royale mare
recorded a 1.80 second
British Breeder | 9

News
WBFSH News
WBFSH and Hartpury University
Collaborate in Far-Reaching Research
into Equine Welfare in Horse Breeding
industry guidance in areas associated
with breeding to integrate specifi c
consideration of horse welfare and
recommend best practice approaches to
provide horses involved with an overall
good life.
The World Breeding Federation for
Sports Horses is employing its unique
position as the representative body of
86 studbooks in 36 countries to become
a driving force for better equine health
and welfare in the sports horse industry
worldwide. True to the organisation’s
fundamental values, this ambition is
supported and aided by scientifi c
data and research to develop factbased
recommendations and ensure
measurable positive outcomes for the
millions of sports horses worldwide. The
WBFSH has therefore commissioned
a far-reaching research project by
Hartpury University. Led by Prof. Jane M.
Williams with contributions from Janet
Forbes, Lorna Cameron, Maria Donovan
and Erica Febery, ‘Evidence-based
recommendations for the enhancement
of sports horse welfare in breeding’ were
developed to inform the preparation of
a WBFSH Welfare Charter and a series
of draft Welfare Codes of Conduct,
alongside recommendations for areas
requiring future research to enhance the
welfare of sport horses within breeding.
The team also envisages a scientifi c
publication in due course.
Says WBFSH President Jan Pedersen:
“We are very grateful to the team at
Hartpury University for their hard and
groundbreaking work. We are fully
committed to supporting all our member
studbooks and 150,000 breeders
worldwide in making the best choices
in breeding for welfare. This starts with
the selection of breeding stock most
likely to produce horses able to lead a
long and healthy life, but it affects every
aspect of our activities, from breeding
techniques to ongoing management to
end-of-life care.”
Research Project Overview
The project adopted a 3-stage
methodology combining consultation
with industry participants with review of
the existing academic literature. Initial
interviews with 17 WBFSH members
established key welfare considerations
from industry. A subsequent systematic
review of the scientifi c literature was
based on the key themes that emerged
from the interviews, including scientifi c
evidence on breeding practices,
conditions, and interventions that
impact horse wellbeing and quality of
life. Mellor’s Five Domains Model as a
framework provided a framework for
management recommendations. A fi nal
series of focus groups was held with key
industry stakeholders and academics
recognised as thought leaders in
equine welfare before the project’s
recommendations were presented
to WBFSH members at the 2024
General Assembly.
Project Findings
The initial interviews highlighted three
key welfare areas based on the different
stages of the breeding cycle. In the
area of selection of breeding stock,
main themes for consideration were
genetics, grading assessments and
end of life management. In the fi eld of
management of breeding stock, key
areas were conception and use of
artifi cial reproductive techniques, as
well as the welfare of mares and
stallions. In the area of foal and
youngstock management foal and
youngstock socialisation and training
were seen as important, among other
management considerations.
A systematic review of literature of these
welfare themes found that across all three
stages of the breeding cycle, research
studies were not designed to consider
horse welfare needs. Published papers
tend to focus on the execution or efficacy
of specifi c techniques and practices, or
on health and disease
outcomes rather than
applying a more holistic
evaluation of how the
welfare of horses was
impacted. Current
welfare guidelines
recommended best
practice within a
broader welfare
context but lacked
specifi c detail or explicit
options to implement
these measures. This
highlights the need for
future research and
Two online focus groups consulted
with global experts in equine welfare
to review the results of the systematic
reviews. Their aim was to focus on
advising about the implementation of
the fi ndings through guidelines for the
welfare of breeding sports horses and
how to encourage worldwide uptake by
the breeding industry.
They recommended implementing a
contextualised welfare defi nition for
the WBFSH and to keep messaging
simple and focused around the Five
Domain’s Model by generating core
welfare principles and values to provide
a contextualised welfare framework for
WBFSH members. Once established,
these need to be made globally
accessible through translation and
through providing concrete examples
and scenarios to showcase how the
principles can be achieved practically.
Says Professor Jane Williams:
“Our research has demonstrated
that welfare in horse breeding
practices is still under-researched.
Our systematic review of the existing
literature has highlighted areas where
further work is needed. We also
found that in order to translate our
fi ndings into improving horse welfare
in practice, we need to support a
strong implementation strategy that
is accessible and achievable. We are
grateful for the support from the
WBFSH not only in funding this research
project, but also in their unwavering
commitment to ensuring its fi ndings
10 | British Breeder

British Breeder | 11
May Issue

News
WBFSH News
lead to real improvements in horse
welfare worldwide.”
Next Steps
In the next phases the WBFSH will
work with its member studbooks
on implementation strategies for
the project fi ndings. This includes
integration of a welfare statement into
its statutes. In consultation with its
member studbooks, the WBFSH will
support the inclusion of behavioural,
health and longevity related attributes
within breed strategies to promote
responsible and sustainable breeding.
The organisation will continue to
work with industry partners to use
its infl uence to ensure prioritisation
of equine welfare as a key
consideration across all aspects
of the breeding industry. It will keep
working with leading scientists in
supporting and disseminating research
to generate evidence that can inform
and advance equine welfare in the
breeding sector to promote
responsible breeding.
Last but not least the WBFSH will
continue to support all breeders of
sports horses across the world through
accessible communications, information
and webinars to provide guidance
and support to empower breeders to
promote a good life for horses.
Young talent shines
in The Howden Way
Young Horse classes
at Barbury
British Eventing News
The Howden Way Young Horse
classes kicked off with a bang this
weekend with two titles on offer at
Barbury Horse Trials (21 - 23 March).
These encouraging age classes give
riders a platform in which to showcase
their talented six- and seven-year-old
event horses.
Lucy Robinson took third place riding
British Bred Theodore Mail (Jaguar
Mail x Belinda) owned by Andrew and
Heather Headley. They fi nished on their
dressage score of 31.3. Theodore Mail is
a 2025 cohort member of The Howden
Way Young Horse Academy.
4th place was another British Bred,
Graf Leopold (Grafenstolz ex Overhall
Northern Light) ridden by Melissa
Joannides who had one pole dropping
them from 2nd after a great dressage
test. They have subsequently gone on
to be 2nd in their next Novice.
5th was another British Bred in Qwink
ridden by Tayla Mason. Quink (Dink ex
Qwanza) is out of Andrew Nicholson’s
top mare Qwanza who was 5th at
Luhmuhlen in 2016 and was a consistent
performer at Advanced level.
6th placed went to the British Bred
Argentinus Roulette (Cinette ex Taima)
ridden by Sophie Bragge.
In the sevenyear-old
ranks,
highest placed
British bred
was the runner up Tim Cheffi ngs riding
Hearsay Lark Rising (Cevin Z ex Mythical
Lark) and in third was Ellie Fredericks
riding Lucinda Fredericks British bred
homebred, Upper Class Brit (Upsilon ex
Little Britannia) who now goes to the 3*S
at Kelsall Hill. Upper Class Brit won the
Bicton International 2*L at the end of last
season so this combination is defi nitely
one to watch.
The series, supported by The Howden
Way, is an ideal opportunity for riders to
expose their up-and-coming eventers to
the atmosphere of bigger venues, while
competing against other horses of the
same age. The classes offer recognition
for the highest performing horses in
these classes.
The Young Horse classes take place
throughout the spring and summer
in some of BE’s most stunning venues
with the 6-year-old classes running
at novice level, and the 7-year-old
classes running at intermediate level.
The top three in each class receive an
additional £250, £150, £100 respectively
on top of the prize money already
generated and awarded by the prize
money calculator.
Above: Upper Class Brit and Ellie Fredericks.
Photo credit – Top Shots
Alongside these classes, the performance
of young horses competing with British
Eventing is acknowledged within The
Howden Way Young Horse Leagues
which can be found on the website.
There are four leagues which cover the
ages of 5 years, 6 years, 7 years and then
the ages of 8 & 9 combined. The leagues
display the average of a horse’s three
best fi nishing scores via a Power Based
Average score which highlights the ability
to repeatedly fi nish on a low score.
The 2025 Young Horse Championships
take place at Cornbury House Horse
Trials in Oxfordshire between 11 - 14
September. The classes will also benefi t
those aiming their young horses at the
FEI World Breeding Championships at
Le Lion d’Angers, which hosts a CCI2*-L
World Championship for six-year-olds
and a CCI3*-L World Championship
for seven-year-olds. Horses identifi ed
at the Cornbury House Young Horse
Championships are invited to The
Howden Way Development Days, and
if selected, invited to join The Howden
Way Young Horse Academy for the
following year.
12 | British Breeder

Support British Breeding – Use British Bred
May Issue
Proven performance breeding for over 70 years of horses to suit all capabilities of rider and disciplines
Timolin
16.3hh Bay WBS-UK, BHHS, Hann Verb, AES & SHB-GB Graded
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Stud Fee £800
Show Horse Champion, Winner Eventing, Dressage, SJ & WH
Sire of HOYS Winners & Champions, County Champions
Youngstock in Australia & Ireland, Sire of Supreme Champion
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Catherston Oakley
16.2hh Bay SHB-GB Premium Graded
WFFS Free
Stud Fee £600
Advanced Eventer – 2nd Farley Intermediate
Sire of Futurity Golds – Over 44% TB blood
Amaranto D Centurion
15.3hh Grey PRE 2015
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Stud Fee £600
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Flamenca & MCI Level 2 European Champions
Wonderful temperament, 3 incredible paces,
huge power & balance.
Catherston Tuxedo
16.2hh Bay SHB-GB Premium Graded
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Stud Fee £960
Highest score ever at BB Futurity & SHB-GB
Stallion Grading Winner of Nexgen 5yo, 2nd
Hartpury 5yo Intnl
All of these Dual Purpose Stallions should produce stock for competing in all disciplines.
Frozen semen available from Dutch Gold, Catherston Dazzler, Catherston Goldstorm, Catherston Springsteen.
Please contact Anne Dicker or Jennie Loriston-Clarke, Catherston Stud, Croft Farm,
Over Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8HX Tel: 01264 782716 or
e-mail enquiries@catherstonstud.com or at www.catherstonstud.com
British Breeder | 13

News | GB PRE
ANCCE 3*** MORPHOLOGY COMPETITION
Championship Show & British Breeding Futurity
24th to 27th July at Hartpury.
Below: Davinci CA Owned by LM Westlake –
Yeguada Lago
We’re incredibly thankful to all
the judges who have agreed
to judge at our event this year.
We can’t wait to welcome them and
showcase the amazing horses that our
competitors bring along.
Judging the ANCCE Morphology classes
we warmly host Francisco José Guerrero
López and Juan Carlos Sánchez-Noriega
Doblado. These two judges were
randomly selected during the ANCCE
primary judges draw for morphology
competitions held on 7th march 2025
As a 3*** ANCCE category competition,
GB PRE is a direct qualifying competition
for the world championships at SICAB in
November, making it the only one of its
kind in the UK.
Philip Belhousine (Spain), returns to judge
the COPA ANCCE Alta Escuela and
Doma Vaquera dressage classes.
International Working Equitation judge
José Benito (Spain), will form part of the
Working Equitation judges panel. On
Sunday he will also be hosting a clinic.
We are thrilled to welcome Jane Hodge
and Chris Porter, who will be judging the
showing classes at GB PRE for the first
time. Julia Bickerton returns to judge
including the Iberian Sports Horse classes
on Sunday. Also returning, Agility judge
and trainer Judith Edel for the ever
popular ‘Have a Go Horse Agility.’
For the second year we are supporting
the ‘WeighToWin’ initiative hosted by The
Horse Trust. In every English showing
class, the horse with the healthiest
condition score will receive a special
rosette donated by The Horse Trust. This
year the assessors are Julia Valentine
and Lorna Cameron.
New classes for 2025 include
‘World Breeds’ and ‘Iberian
Diluted Colours’, along
with our continuing
Bitless series featuring
Bitless Showing and
Bitless Dressage.
If you’re interested
in discussing
sponsorship
opportunities or
having a trade stand
at GB PRE 2025, please
contact us as soon
as possible.
Futurity
As part of GB PRE 2025, we will be
hosting the first of the British Breeding
Futurity evaluation days on Thursday, the
24th of July in the top indoor at Hartpury.
Anyone wishing to book a stable please
book via the online entry system on the
GB PRE website under the SHOW tab.
Please note that stabling cannot be
booked directly with Hartpury.
Welfare - #WeighToWin
On Sunday, the 13th of April, we will host
the second of our equine body condition
score assessors training days, presented
by the Horse Trust, in conjunction with
the University of Liverpool. Fifteen
candidates including GB PRE team
members, judges, representatives from
breed organisations, and other equine
professionals will be joining us
in Smallwood, Cheshire.
The day will feature a blend of
classroom tutorials, engaging
PowerPoint presentations, and practical
body condition score assessments
on various horses. Our goal is to
foster open discussions and deepen
our understanding of the physical
and metabolic challenges faced by
overweight horses. Participants will have
the chance to earn The Horse Trust’s
Healthiest Body Condition Awards,
Weight Aware Assessor Certificate.
News
We have recently launched our very
own ‘GB PRE Official’ YouTube channel!
Be sure to subscribe to catch
our video updates as we
expand this platform. We
now have a ‘Like’ Page
on Facebook – just
search for ‘GB PRE’ to
say up to date with
the latest news and
competitions in the
UK and Spain.
Congratulation to our
team member Kelly
Stevens, for recently
being awarded the ‘Stud
Award’ at the Thoroughbred
Industry Employee Awards,
sponsored by Godolphin and British
Horse Authority.
Thank you to GB PRE member Samantha
Jo Tilley (Star Andalusian Stud) for the
photograph of one of this year’s foals –
Mistral SA.
For more details about GB PRE or
to become a member, please visit
our website. ●
GB PRE contact
stephanie@gbpre.co.uk gbpre.co.uk
Above inset: Kelly Stevens winner of the ‘Stud Award’
at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards,
sponsored by Godolphin and British Horse Authority
Below: Alonda and Mistral SA owned and bred by
Samantha Jo Tilley - Star Andalusians PRE Stud. Dam
Alondra LXXVI Sire Leviton JL
14 | British Breeder

British Breeder | 15
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16 | British Breeder

AES | Studbook News
Photo credits to Tanja Davis Photography
AES Spring Stallion Gradings
7th February 2025 British Breeding Stallion
Event at Addington Equestrian Centre.
Below: Caunton Chippendale
The Spring Grading Season
began with our attendance at the
British Breeding Stallion Event
in Addington. This show is open to all
graded UK resident stallions from all
WBFSH member studbooks and always
provides a great opportunity to catch up
with old friends and favourites, as well as
a platform for up-and-coming talent.
This year we used the venue ahead of
the event for our first stallion grading of
the season and are excited to welcome
some lovely new stallions.
Victoria Wright of Caunton Manor Stud
has been a great investor in quality and
presented another excellent prospect.
Caunton Chippendale brings the dream
combination for Eventing of Contendro
I and Heraldik XX. Excitingly, his the full
brother to none other than
Michael Jung’s incredible
Fischerchipmunk FRH, as
well as other internationally
successful eventers in
Chintonic, Campino and Cash
Advance. This very elegant
stallion convinced with great
ability as well as naturally
elevated and expressive
movement and achieved
licensed status. A very
special opportunity for our
eventing breeders.
Ben Dunning of Rozel Breeding
presented two exciting young horses to
add to his stable of outstanding stallions
both of whom passed their licensing
inspection with flying colours.
Samoerai TS is by Grandorado TN out
of Corolla TS by Air Jordan. He is the full
brother to the international 1.40m show
jumper Magnifique TS and half brother to
Go-On TS (by Cornet Obolensky) who is
internationally successful at 1.45m level.
His mother Corolla TS is the full sister to
the international 1.50m horse Escobar TS
and the stallions Dondersteen TS, as well
as half sister to Brayn (by Orlando), the
international 21.50m showjumper. This
stallion’s highlights were his correctness
of limbs and conformation and his
outstanding jumping ability, which gained
him a score of 9.5.
Above: Samoerai TS Below: Heritage Poseidon
Secretariat TN also brings the influence
of the great Grandorado TN, this time
as the dam sire. He is by Copy Cat
Z. His mother Arachne is half sister
to two international jumpers in Kyygo
and Idara, both by Eldorado. Grandam
Arachne brings the legendary breeding
of Concorde and is full sister to the
1.60m jumpers Eurocommerce Seattle
and Splinter and the incredible mare
Trotyl who not only competed at 1.40m
level herself, but also had numerous
international Grand Prix offspring
including Cartoon (by Cardento) and
Incognito Baio (by Quick Star). Arachne is
also half-sister to the 1.50m level stallion
Emo by Vleut. With a superb mark of 9
for his jump, Secretariat convinced with
athleticism and talent.
Sally Lister of Brackenspa Stud
presented a young thoroughbred stallion
in Derringer XX (Fountain of Youth XX
x Tragic Role XX). Thoroughbred blood
remains essential to eventing breeding,
which is why we are always delighted if
we find one that exhibits the ability and
trainability required for the sport. This
nice young horse was presented under
saddle and gained licensed status.
Janey Marson of Heritage Coast Stud
showed one of her own bred stallions
in Heritage Poseidon by the great
Arko III. This interesting young horse
has been presented at the British
Breeding Futurity where he has gained
excellent accolades over the years.
He has correct limbs and balanced
movement with very nice expression.
As a young stallion he still has a lot
of maturing to do, so he gains
registered status for now. We look
forward to seeing him again as he
becomes stronger.
British Breeder | 17

Studbook News | AES
Above: Caunton Chippendale
AES International Stallion
Grading Events in Poland
and the Netherlands
The next AES grading took place in
Poland on 27th and 28th of February,
where for the first time we visited the
Riding Center Idmar Krajkowo near
Above: Caunton Chippendale Inset: Samoerai TS
Below: Secretariat TN
Poznan. This is the
10th edition of our
Polish AES Stallion
Gradings which have
grown from just a handful
of stallions and flourished
into an annual event that is not to
be missed, attended by over 80 stallions.
Poland is very much a growing and
developing country for horse breeding,
and it is very exciting to be able to play a
part in that. To mark our anniversary, we
also celebrated with a Breeders Ball on
the Friday night.
21st March saw our annual Spring
Grading at the home of
AES Netherlands in
Schijndel, with 35
stallions entered
from the disciplines
of dressage and
showjumping. The
judging panel
consisted of Bert
van den Oetelaar,
Robbert Ehrens,
Koen Oleart and
Esther Manders.
All stallions were
inspected on the hard
ground before being
invited to come forward
to show of their movement
and jumping ability in the indoor.
There was a strong contingent of pony
stallions this year who have their own
section in the AES Netherlands studbook,
a daughter society of AES UK. We highly
value our strong links with the Dutch
breeding community, which gives our
breeders access to some highly exciting
up and coming talent from the continent.
In April we are back in the UK with two
great grading venues.
On 22nd April we will be at Breen
Equestrian at Hickstead. This event
is scheduled the day after their Breen
Equestrian Open Day 21st April, which
is promising to be another highlight. On
27th April we will be in Cheshire where
we are looking forward to using Dave
Quick’s lovely new facility. Ashdale
Sports Horses have become a great
partner over the years and the team
does an excellent job in preparing and
presenting stallions for our gradings. The
event follows straight on from the Stallion
AI Open Day on 26th April. Watch out
for our next British Breeder Magazine
Article, which will feature a full report of
our next UK gradings. ●
18 | British Breeder

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British Breeder | 19

Studbook News | AHS
successfully under saddle, and bring
recognition to their breeders.
The Scheme is delighted to present
the 2024 ‘Pure Arab Breeder’ award
to Avonbrook Stud for their many
successful progeny including Audace
Encore by AHS Premium stallion Marcus
Aurelius, winner of the 2024 Novice
and Elementary BD Associated
Dressage Championships.
Congratulations also to Beccy Broughton,
winner of the 2024 ‘Anglo and Part Arab
Breeder’ award for her homebred 13-
year old part Arab mare MK Marcella by
AHS Premium stallion Murmansk. They
fi nished high up on the list of successful
Endurance horses by AHS Premium
stallions and have been selected for the
British Development Squad.
ARAB HORSE
SOCIETY
Premium Performance
Scheme
By Anne Brown.
As a breed organisation, the Arab
Horse Society has at its heart the
Premium Performance Scheme.
The initiative is designed to identify elite
performance stallions, through testing
or Merit, and to reward mare owners
fi nancially who use a Premium pure, part
or Anglo Arab sire.
Above: Tamarillo
at Badminton
Photo Equestrian
Services Thorney
Inset: Gold Premium for
Anglo Arab fi lly Granny’s Foalt,
with highest Endurance two-year
old score, bred by Bella Fricker
Below: Arab gelding Voltage Akhdhar,
highest-scoring Futurity Endurance three-year old,
bred by Esther Groen
Mares of any breed may attain AHS
Premium status if they reach a high
enough level in ridden performance
or have at least two successful ridden
progeny. When the owner breeds the
mare to an AHS Premium stallion, the
Society gives a Premium (currently
£200) and free registration of
the foal with the AHS.
Premium stallion owners
may also nominate
up to three non-
Premium mares a
year to receive a
£100 Premium from
the AHS and free
registration of the foal
with the Society.
The AHS strongly supports
the British Breeder annual
Futurity assessments which
provide such a valuable evaluation
of a young horse’s potential. As usual,
Arab progeny did well in the Endurance
The poster boy for the Scheme’s success
is undoubtedly the champion Eventer
Tamarillo, sired by the Arab Tarnik. The
Biddesden stud has since produced the
clone Tomatillo who was initially backed
by William Fox Pitt who had ridden
Tamarillo to victory at both Badminton
and Burghley. Tomatillo and is now being
competed at four-star by Aaron Millar.
The Scheme can offer just about every
type of affi liated sports horse sire, plus
race horses and endurance champions,
some still with us, some now sadly gone
but with frozen semen in storage.
The progeny of these special sires
gain awards once they start competing
20 | British Breeder

AHS | Studbook News
Left: Premium Leading Endurance and Racing sire
Chatanz in his own racing days
Carina Kane rode Premium progeny
Kaymeleon by Kayeed in the one-day
44km Dragon’s Egg Ride. Kathy Carr in
the 66k, Welsh Open championships on
Tannasg Storm by Psyches Boy, and to
Premium stallion Watt du Colombier in
the 35kms Ride.
section last year. Premium stallion Zayin
Zachilles’ fi lly, Granny’s Foalt, gained
Gold and the highest score for an
Endurance two-year old, bred and owned
by Bella Fricker.
A Gold award also went to Voltage
Akhdhar, a pure Arab son of race
champion Watt du Colombier, who
fi nished as the highest-scoring
Endurance three-year old for owner/
breeder Esther Groen.
Kirsty Wiscombe’s home-bred colt foal,
Yawl Hill Napoleon, by her AHS Premium
Performance stallion Yawl Hillbilly, gained
Silver in the Endurance section.
In the Dressage section, two progeny
of the Oldenburg/Arab Premium stallion
Dream On gained Gold Premiums:
yearling gelding Jamesfi eld Dream
Quartz, and colt foal, Dare2Dream.
deceased) the outright winner again,
with 3388 points gained by his combined
progeny. Psyches Boy followed with
2991 points, then Al Sood with 2357
points, Murmansk with 2348 points
and Sisyrinchium with 1428 points. AHS
Premium sires of successful Endurance
progeny this year also include Yawl
Hillbilly, Vadeer, Czarus, Oberlix, Dhruv,
Alonzo, Psy Dream, Kayeed, Persifl age,
Rusleem, Man of Dreams, Sambist, Salar,
Heritage Orion and Crystal Magic.
The Arab Horse Society presented
rosettes to the two Premium progeny
and a Premium stallion who successfully
completed the tough Red Dragon ride
over the Brecon Beacons last autumn.
Below: Zayin Zachilles, owned + bred by Paul Simmons, 2015 PHA winner
KAYACK, son of AHS Premium stallion
Kayeed out of Penny Black, raced well
last year. Bred and trained by Jen Harris
and owned by Evermore Racing, he
was third by four lengths to the winner
Victoria over 1m 2f at Bath ridden by
Serena Brotherton. He came second -
by a whisker - in the most exciting photo
fi nish of the season to Sassy over 7f at
Brighton ridden by George Rooke, and
second by 7 lengths to Jeewan over 1m
5f at Bath in soft stamina-sapping going
in October, ridden by Kieran 0’Neill. He
also recorded his fastest ever time of
12.6 seconds/furlong over 7.5 f at
Lingfi eld in May.
Kayack has a full sister Kaydennce 8,
also now a beautiful dark dapple grey,
who was hardly ever out of the placings
pony racing and has progressed to show
jumping and One Day Eventing this year.
So many of Kayeed’s offspring have
gained top endurance awards, up to
Senior International British Team placings
and podium fi nishes alongside UAE
riders in the UK.
For AHS Premium stallion details, visit:
ahs-premium.org.uk ●
The Society congratulates them all,
and wishes them a successful future
under saddle.
More congratulations to the 20 Leading
Premium sires of Endurance horses
during 2024, with Chatanz (now
Below: Avonbrook Odin and Katherine Bertram qualify
for the London International Horse Show
British Breeder | 21

Studbook News | SHB (GB)
SHB(GB)
Stallions
Take to
the main
Arena
Above: ASHB(GB) graded stallion Timolin in the stallion parade at Badminton Horse Trials (P Nixon, Badminton Horse Trials)
Yes it’s Badminton the must-go-to
event we all wait for every year.
Sport Horse Breeding (GB) is
privileged to be showcasing some of
its graded stallions in the main arena.
The stallion parade will take place in
the main arena on Friday – at the end of
day two of dressage, immediately after
the last competitor has left the arena.
Stallions taking part this year are;
1 TIMOLIN 2011 by TOTILAS ex SAMIRA
by SION
2 CATHERSTON TUXEDO 2017 by
TIMOLIN ex CATHERSTON GEORGIA
(GB) by NUMBER ONE GUY
3 JUST CHILLIN 2014 by CHILLI
MORNING ex IMPY by MASTER IMP
4 PENCOS ARCTIC KING 2018 by
CHILLI MORNING ex CORNISH
QUEEN by ROCK KING
9 DIAMANT DE HERALDIK 2016 by
DIAMANT DE SEMILLY ex BELLA
COOLA by HERALDIK
10 HEVANS ROYAL REVOLUTION 2017
by ROYAL RUBIN 5 ex BROADSTONE
DEJAVUE by DEMONSTRATOR
11 FENSTON BENTLEY 2018 by
BOSS JUNIOR ex SERMACORN
by NONCORDE
12 INCOGNITO 2010 by INDOCTRO ex
TURKISH CANDLE by BAJAZETH
We hope to see you there and do come
and see us after the parade, opposite
the East stand.
SHB(GB) prize – Who
will win this year’s prize
presented by SHB(GB)
17 of the 103 horse entries for this
year’s competition are eligible for the
SHB(GB) prize awarded to the owner of
the highest placed horse by one of the
studbook’s approved stallions. Last year
the prize was presented to Mr Richard
Ames the owner and breeder of the
second placed horse RCA Patron
Saint (Grafenstolz – unknown) ridden
by Lucy Latta.
Eligible horses entered this year are;
Bling (Kannan – Bahamian Bounty
Below: ARCA Patron Saint bred by Richard Ames, ridden by Lucy Latta, winner of 2024 SHB (GB) prize at the Mars
Badminton Horse Trials (P Nixon, Badminton Horse Trials)
5 LEPRINCE DES BOIS 1999 by
YARLANDS SUMMER SONG ex
ESCALE DES BOIS by QUANDY
DU MAYNE
6 FUTURE GUILTY PLEASURE 2016
by LEVISONN ex FUTURE GUILTY
SECRET by CANTOBLANCO
7 COMFORT 2013 by CHRISTIAN ex
AVIENNA by LAST LIBERTY
8 CHACCO VOLO 2013 by CHACCO
BLUE ex HARIBO by CARTHAGO
22 | British Breeder

SHB (GB) | Studbook News
xx) bred by Ms Yvonne Ferguson
and ridden by Laura Collett, Black
Ice (Vechta – Touchdown) bred
by Judith McLelland and ridden
by Jerome Robine, Dreamliner
(Jumbo – Baryishnikov xx) bred by
Angela Chamberlayne and ridden
by Tom Rowland, Lordships Graffalo
(Grafenstolz – Rock King) bred by
Lordships Stud & Pennie Wallace
and ridden by Ros Canter, Graftango
(Grafenstolz – Contango bred by Laura
Hedberg and ridden by Samantha
Cesnik, Zaragoza (Cevin Z – Saracen
Hill xx) bred by Jane Young and ridden
by Gaspard Maksud, Colorado Blue
(Jaguar Mail – Rock King) bred by Kate
Jarvey and ridden by Austin O’Connor,
Romantic (Cevin Z – The Carnival)
bred by Andy Sheehy and ridden by
Rosie Bradley-Hole, RCA Patron Saint
(Grafenstolz – unknown) bred by Mr
Richard Ames and ridden by Lucy
Latta, Church’Ile (Grafenstolz – Apache
D’Adriers) bred by Philippe Marx, ridden
by Arthur Marx, Jalapeno (Chilli Morning
– Shaab xx) bred by Nick Gauntlett, and
Chilli Knight (Chilli Morning – Rock King)
bred by Christopher Stone and both
ridden by Gemma Stevens, Kilcannon
Ramiro (Ramiro B – Kildalton King) bred
by Mary Bolger and ridden by Daragh
Byrne, Treworra (Jaguar Mail – Tower of
Magic xx) bred by Preci Spark Ltd and
ridden by Katie Magee, B Exclusive
(Bazaar’s Exclusive) bred by Mrs Karen
Baugh and ridden by Lizzie Baugh,
Grafennacht (Grafenstolz – Narew)
bred by Susan Eggleton and ridden
by Harry Meade, Opppsition Heraldik
Girl (Fleetwater Opposition – Heraldik)
bred by Sue Hicks and ridden by
Kirsty Chabert.
The SHB(GB) Breeders
Trophy
Each year SHB(GB) awards the
impressive Breeders Trophy to highlight
the achievements of someone we
believe has made a difference to British
breeding. This year our congratulations
go to Kate Jarvey whose successful
breeding programme has promoted and
supported the SHB(GB) studbook.
At the end of 2024 SHB(GB) was fi fth
in the World Breeding Federation for
Sport Horses (WBFSH) ranking for stud
books in the eventing section. The stud
book rankings are calculated using the
points of the top six performing horses
of each stud book. One of the horses
that contributed to the SHB(GB) points
total and was the leading horse, was
Austin O’Connor’s Olympic ride and 5*
winner COLORADO BLUE bred by Kate
in 2009. Colorado Blue is by the leading
sire Jaguar Mail out of Rock Me Baby
by the former advanced event stallion
Rock King. He has amassed 1259 BE
points. Rock Me Baby is also the dam
of Ludwig Svennerstal’s former Olympic
ride Balham Mist.
Recent Results for Colorado
Blue include:
2024 – Burghley CCI5*L 14th
2024 – Paris Olympic Games G 17th
2024 – Bramham CCI4*S 2nd
2023 – Elkton CCI5*L 1st Elkton
2023 – Badminton CCI5* 3rd
2022 – Pratoni European
Championships 18th
2022 – Badminton CCI5* 8th
2021 – Tokyo Olympic Games 13th
Congratulations to Kate Jarvey.
Last year the trophy was presented
to Susie Holroyd the breeder of
Barrington Alice (formerly known as
Allercombe Alice).
How about
grading your
mare
Dates for stallion
and mare gradings are currently being
planned in the offi ce. Grading your
mare means her offspring will be
eligible for SHB(GB) studbook papers
(providing the sire is registered either
with SHB(GB) or another offi cial breed
society). The owners of mares achieving
Head Studbook status will receive a
voucher for free foal registration and
the three highest marked mares at the
end of the year will receive prize money
generously sponsored by Baileys
Horse Feeds.
For all rules and regulations on grading
and other issues visit the downloads
page on the website.
We are always seeking suitable venues
for mare and foal gradings. We need
an enclosed space to allow mares and
foals to run free, some space for parking
and would prefer to have at least
four mares to grade on the day. If you
would like to host a grading or need to
speak to someone on any other matter
concerning breeding contact Laura in
the offi ce. ●
T: 01732 866277
E: laura@sporthorsegb.co.uk
FB: Sport Horse Breeding (GB)
W: sporthorsegb.co.uk
Below: Colorado Blue bred by Kate Jarvey (P Nixon,
Badminton Horse Trials)
British Breeder | 23

May Issue
FERNANDO H
With a pedigree full of impressive jumping stallions!
Nando is a yard favourite, and is a complete gentleman. He has a very
trainable attitude, with huge amounts of talent and ability he is showing
to be a very special horse for the future. He is successfully competing in
Foxhunter and 6 year old classes including the Winter 6 year old finals.
With his bravery over solid fences and paces on the flat he could also
be used on eventing mares along with jumping mares. His first foals
are due in 2025.
07539 790341 • laurenbetteridge3@gmail.com
Height: 165cm
Year of birth: 2019
Colour: Bay
Studbook: AES
Stud Fee: £500
Stud Terms: up to two
attempts with one mare
Semen available: frozen
Hickstead White
CSF Lady Anya
Hickstead
Queentina
Flipper D’elle
CSF Tripple C
Hamlet
Jomara
Coupe De Coeur
St. Pr. St. Quadriga
Double Espoir
Pavlova Des Malais
Cruising
Cavalier Krystle
24 | British Breeder

SPSS | Studbook News
Breeding a British Sports
Pony… How do I passport
my foal?
First step – get in touch
with us at the Sports
Pony Studbook Society.
We are a progressive UK
studbook & DEFRA Approved
Passport Issuing Organisation
(PIO) focused solely on the
breeding, production, evaluation
and licensing of competition ponies.
Our passports meet the latest EU and UK
standards.
If you have used an SPSS graded stallion
or your mare is SPSS passported, graded
or overstamped and you are intending
to breed a sports pony, we’d love to
hear from you & help you passport your
foal with the SPSS. If at least one parent
is SPSS graded there is no upper (or
lower) height limit for passporting with
us. Please note that we will not passport
pure-bred British Native ponies (or other
rare breeds) as these should always have
their particular breed society passports.
When do I have to passport my foal?
Under UK law, you should apply for the
passport by 30th November (for foals
born before 1st June) or within 6 months
of birth for foals born on/after 1st June)
but if you miss this deadline, then note
that any passports issued more than 12
months from birth are classed as “late”
and, as well as us having to ensure that
the equine cannot enter the human food
chain, our rules mandate DNA parentage
testing which adds to the cost of the
passport. Note that DNA parentage
testing is also required for all embryo
transfer foals and any that are weaned
before a vet does the microchipping
and identifi cation.
How do I apply for an SPSS passport?
Download and complete a Passport
Application Form from our website.
Book a vet visit, as it is mandatory for all
foals to be microchipped by a vet, this
should be done at the same time as they
complete the ID Diagram & description
on page 4 of the Passport Application
Form. Ensure that
your vet also takes a
DNA sample from both
the foal and its dam (this
is some hair pulled from
mane or tail which includes
the root) and puts them into
separate labelled plastic bags.
How much will it cost? Here’s some
good news – considerably less from
2025 onwards.
How? The SPSS Governing
Committee have been looking
at ways that we can work
smarter and reduce costs
for our breeders. So
we are very pleased
to announce that we
have successfully
negotiated an
outsourcing deal for
our passports from
2025 and as a result,
the price of a standard
SPSS foal passport is
now a fl at rate of £48 for a
passport verifi ed by Covering
Certifi cate. DNA parentage
verifi ed passports are also still available
at an additional cost and a “fast track”
service will be offered for the fi rst time.
What next? Download our passport
form from our website or get in touch
we’re always happy to post out copies
of the Passport Form and supply DNA
Hair Sample bags – just email us on
sportsponies@gmail.com to request.
Looking to Breed a British
Sports Pony in 2026?
Check out the list
of SPSS Graded
Stallions on our
website or request
Promoting excellence in British
Sports Pony breeding
PHOTO
CREDIT
LENZON-
IMAGES
Tanja Davis Photography
a copy of our Stallion Leafl et by
emailing us.
SPSS Youngstock
Awards
Every year, SPSS passported or
overstamped youngstock are evaluated
and, since 2019, this has been done
in partnership with British Breeding’s
Futurity Scheme as well as at our own
events. All eligible Futurity entrants
that also enter for the SPSS Youngstock
Awards are eligible for an SPSS
Premium or Gold Premium based
on their Futurity Evaluation
score. After all the events
have concluded, the
scores of all eligible
youngstock are
taken forward to
decide the winners
of the overall SPSS
Youngstock Awards
which include an
overall Champion and
Reserve Champion as
well as rosettes for the top
scorer in various categories.
For more details including the
costs please check out our website
(sportpony.org.uk/grading) or contact us.
Supporting British Sports Pony Breeders
by licensing stallions, grading mares,
evaluating youngstock and celebrating
success and REDUCING PASSPORT
COSTS for Breeders. ●
Tel: 07703 566066
Email: sportsponies@gmail.com
sportpony.org.uk
British Breeder | 25

Studbook News | IDHS
A day I will
never forget
Lucinda Starling from the IDHS talks about a
recent breeding experience.
It has to be a breeder’s worst
nightmare. One of my mares was three
weeks overdue and I was overtired
from sitting up with her. I went out to give
my beautiful Irish Draught mare Smokey
her evening feed. She was carrying a
purebred foal by Skip and Sea, was a
few days short of full term and hadn’t
waxed up that I had seen. She’d had an
orthodox foaling the previous year.
As I approached her paddock, to my
astonishment and horror, a foal walked
out of the fi eld shelter. She stood there,
as if to say “hello, what happens now?”
My sweet mare lay dead in the shelter,
with no signs of a struggle and still warm.
Her tough little fi lly had extricated herself
from the bag and got to her feet.
There was a sudden rush of panic, how
to bring the fi lly in to the foaling box,
Below: Irish Sapphire [Smokey) 1st Class Images
could we get enough colostrum from
Smokey, how was this ghastly situation
going to resolve?
Luckily I wasn’t alone , my friend Jess
helped get the fi lly in, then went back
with a jug and bottle to milk the mare. To
be honest, I was in shock, not helped by
being exhausted.
Facebook did what it can do really well,
via the Mares and Orphan Foals page.
Kind offers of help and condolences
came fl ooding in. There were mares that
could be brought into milk and one that
had lost her foal but my foal would have
to go there.
Meanwhile, this little dynamite of a fi lly
was bouncing round the stable. We
managed to get her on to the bottle,
then a friend’s spare colostrum arrived,
so she had over a litre of it through the
night. I had some Aintree Foaling Milk
powder and every hour, on the hour,
Above: Kat and Jessie
little Miss Pushy had her ears
up over the stable door ready for her
next bottle.
It was a long night, I was out on my feet
but the feeds were delivered regularly.
Next day I called a company, run by
Michaels Grange, which provides foster
mares, principally for the TB studs in
Newmarket. He luckily had a mare
available and would bring her down and
supervise the adoption. It was not going
to be a cheap option but I could see that
this fi lly would need a mare to keep her
in order!
“This was a five
hour plus process
and was a success
thanks to the
experienced care
given by Michael.”
26 | British Breeder

IDHS | Studbook News
“Even though we only bottle fed
her for two days before Kat arrived,
she’d come racing across the field to
me, whinnying with great gusto.”
elsewhere, then later brought in. She
seemed shocked by Kat’s size but then
she had never seen a live horse before.
It took a while for her to progress from
bottle to real teat but she was hungry, so
we got there.
Gradually, under Michael’s watchful care,
the foal slept, then came back on her
own accord to nurse. As the day went on,
Kat had the hood removed, the sedation
wore off and she was untied. This was a
five hour plus process and was a success
thanks to the experienced care given by
Michael. It had gone well, so he set off
for home.
Kat is a very kind mare, with a
huge udder, so the filly, named
Jessie after my friend, really
flourished and duly learned
not to be quite so pushy.
She had a turned in lower
eyelid so had to have that stitched and
then she enjoyed the company of my
other two colt foals.
Even though we only bottle fed her for
two days before Kat arrived, she’d come
racing across the field to me, whinnying
with great gusto. She would have
become unbearable without a foster
mare, as she bossed those colts around
and still does! We had to teach her not to
push people around too.
There are different ways of coping
with this kind of disaster, this was my
choice and Kat was a great investment.
I found out that Smokey had suffered
an arterial rupture, she went peacefully
and I could not have saved her. She left
me a tough, cheeky filly but I still find it
so hard to be without my lovely mare,
we’d done so much during our eight
years together. ●
Above: Jessie
3 hours old
Friends gave me time to sleep the
second night, [I was rather useless by
then] and did the night feeds. I was
woken at 5am as the overdue mare
was foaling. Luckily that went perfectly,
what a relief, so we were ready when
Michael arrived with the gorgeous Kat.
She is a roomy Shire x Cob mare, bred
for the job and her own foal was safely
being introduced to bucket feeding back
at home.
Michael calmly set us up for success. My
Vet was there to check the filly and give
Kat a mild sedative. She was blindfolded
and tied up in the box, with the filly
British Breeder | 27

May Issue
BRITANNIA ROYAL
Royaldik x Headley Britannia x Jumbo
16.2hh Advanced Eventing Stallion, liver chestnut (2013)
Premium Graded with SHB (GB)
£475 no VAT NFFR, frozen (held at Stallion AI)
This talented, beautiful stallion is a son of Headley Britannia, the amazing elite
5* winner of Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky. He has superb world-class
bloodlines on both sides of his pedigree with Royaldik’s dam Herka (TB) being a
full-sister to the hugely-influential international sire Heraldik.
Britannia Royal has a bold, scopey jump allied to a fabulous temperament. He
is now well established at 3* International level and upgraded to Advanced in
2022. He is producing very smart foals with his wonderful temperament, and his
older offspring are making super starts to their eventing careers, including Vivat
Rex II and Cornsay Heraldry.
Annabel Blake 07870 358944 Email: brit.royal@outlook.com
Fb: Britannia Royal Website: britannia-royal.co.uk
28 | British Breeder

Foaling Alarms | Feature
FOALING ALARMS
By Bjørn Boesgaard.
As a manufacturer of
SAFEMATE foal alarms and
a breeder myself, I am often
asked about foal alarms, and the
pros and cons of various systems.
I have worked with this for more
than 30 years.
Foaling Alarms
All breeders know how much
effort (and money) we have
put into a foal even before it is
born. Quite a few breeders have
experienced the hard way that
many things can go wrong during
foaling. In consequence, there is
a big desire to be present when
the mare chooses – because it is
normally HER choice – to give birth.
For the serious breeder a foal alarm
is the alternative to staying awake at
night for days, or even weeks.
It all began in 1976 where Hr.
Kegel in Germany invented the
Wächt-O-Mat. The system was
based on the fact that the mare
has a very special instinct; before
giving birth, she shivers/works
her big muscles, like an athlete
warming up. The mare will sweat
because of this, some very little,
some are soaked.
The Wacht-O-Mat consists of a
harness with a radio transmitter
and a sweat sensor on the left
side of the neck. A wire works as
an antenna. A receiver is typically
placed in the bedroom.
At some point a similar British
alarm was made, the Wyke Alarm,
however production stopped
decades ago.
My father had a stud farm, and as
I was studying electro engineering,
I started to develop a foal alarm
of my own. SAFEMATE entered
the market in 1993, also a sweat
reacting alarm system. The design
with a leather harness, transmitter
on front and a receiver was quite
alike the others, but with a sensor
on each side of the neck for
extra safety.
Just a year later, BirthAlarm
entered the market, a Dutch
alarm based on a totally different
principle. The idea is that horses
rarely lay on the side – flat out. But
they usually do when they have
contractions. In case of mares
sleeping on the side, there are
4 different “programs” to choose
from, to adjust to the behavior
of the specific mare. The radio
transmitter is placed in an iron
frame which sits on the top of the
mare’s saddle bed, called an Antiroll
girth.
The lay-down alarm principle
is also used in several systems
where a transmitter is placed on a
halter, giving alarm if the mare is
lying with the head vertical.
A more exotic system is the Jan
Volters Abfohlsystem. This F
British Breeder | 29

Feature | Foaling Alarms
is based on a switch with two
contact points, each sewn on to
the labia. When the foal’s front
legs are coming out, the contact is
broken and the alarm goes. I have
only seen the system in pictures,
but have spoken with users. Price
is 3 – 4x higher than SAFEMATE or
BirthAlarm.
Using a foal alarm
When foaling is about to begin
and the foaling alarm sounds, take
it easy and observe the mare. The
mare may react to the noise, so be
ready to sooth her if necessary.
The systems described above
have different principles. A sweat
alarm should typically sound
15-20min before birth. This can
vary – up to 45min, down to
5min. Problems, like a wrongly
positioned, or just very large foal,
will cause the mare to work more
– sweat more, and the warning will
be longer.
For a lie-down alarm, it sounds
when the mare lies down fl at out,
having contractions. The timing
is basically the same, but with
great variation. In case of a wrong
foal position, the mare will feel
troubled and move a lot around,
lie down, get up etc. She might try
to roll. How the systems react to
this I cannot say.
The Jan Volters Abfohlsystem has
no warning time, when it sounds,
the birth is taking place.
Pros and Cons
For the Jan Volter system, there
will be no false alarms. The
system is expensive to buy and
use (a Vet is needed) and over
time the labia will get scar tissue.
If the foal is upside down or
backwards and can’t come out the
alarm will not react.
For the sweat alarms, the long
warning time is a plus, as
well as the reaction to
complications. The
downside is risk
of false alarms,
especially when
the weather
is hot.
The lie-down system is not
infl uenced by temperature, only
behavior. They work well on some
To learn
more visit
safemate
foalalarm.
com
mares and gives a lot of false
alarms on others, it depends a lot
on the individual mare. The halter
type are inexpensive, but the
position of the head is not that
well related to the position of
the mare, and therefore can be
somewhat unreliable.
Well aligned with the pros and
cons, the 2 dominant systems
on the market are BirthAlarm
and SAFEMATE. As to which is
preferred, it is somewhat a matter
of taste, but also how your stud
and mares are. ●
30 | British Breeder

British Breeder | 31
May Issue

Feature | Feeding
Laying Foundations for Future Champions
PARASITE CONTROL
FOR YOUNG HORSES
By Claire Shand, SQP and Director at Westgate Labs.
Do you know your
Strongyloides from your
strongyles? Your ascarid
from your pinworm – and how to
target each?
Parasites, particularly in
young horses, pose a
serious threat to health and
development. Resistance only
complicates matters: which
chemical is effective against
which worm, or whether a
treatment is needed at all. That’s
where worm egg counts, the
cornerstone of good parasite
control, come in.
Testing first helps determine the
best course of action and whether
there may already be resistance
on your land to a given wormer.
Generally speaking, fenbendazole
and pyrantel are most effective
against ascarids and pinworm;
“The prevalence of
ascarids in youngsters
is one of the reasons we
often lean toward olderstyle
chemicals for them.”
ivermectin and moxidectin for
redworm (strongyles). However,
it’s not quite as simple as that;
moxidectin should never be used
on foals under four months
old (six months if using a
combination product with
praziquantel) and is best reserved
for winter doses targeting
encysted small redworm. There’s
now also concern over the
efficacy of praziquantel and
pyrantel (at double dose) for
treating tapeworm.
The prevalence of ascarids in
youngsters is one of the reasons
we often lean toward older-style
chemicals for them. But there’s
always a time when we come up
against anomalies – only testing
can tell you what’s really going on
inside your horses and on your
land. It’s impossible to tell by eye
whether a horse has worms, which
type, or whether they’re resistant,
so testing is essential.
That’s especially true in
youngstock, who are more
susceptible to worm burdens
32 | British Breeder

Feeding | Feature
because their immune systems
are still developing. While foals
are especially vulnerable, all
horses under fi ve are classed
as high risk under the CANTER
parasite risk assessment. Without
management, parasites like
redworm, ascarids and tapeworm
can cause stunted growth, colics,
digestive upset, respiratory
damage and even death.
Here at Westgate Labs, it’s our
mission to minimise unnecessary
harm by parasite damage. We
recommend starting worm egg
counts from 4 - 6 weeks of age,
alongside a proactive worming
programme until the foal reaches
six months old. After that, we can
safely transition to a targeted
testing-based approach. Worm
egg counts are advised every
eight weeks until the transition
to adulthood, to catch any rise in
burden before it causes disease.
Monitoring this closely not only
supports each foal’s healthy
development but helps preserve
chemical effi cacy by reducing
unnecessary treatments.
Resistance is a growing threat,
but with strategic testing, we can
take control.
Through our ‘Every Horse Needs
a Worm Egg Count’ campaign,
we’re encouraging breeders to
put testing at the heart of good
management because every
horse deserves the best start. With
Westgate’s easy-to-use postal
kits, professional in-house lab and
tailored support, we help take the
guesswork out of parasite control.
As breeding season is in full
swing, it’s one less variable to
worry about. Healthy guts build
healthy horses and that starts with
informed parasite control from
day one. ●
To learn more visit westgatelabs.co.uk or call
01670 791994. We’re here to help every step of
the way.
British Breeder | 33

Feature | Fetal Health
Enhancing fetal health monitoring in pregnant mares:
THE ROLE OF FETAL ECGS
By Charlotte Easton-Jones MA VetMB DipACVIM MRCVS,
RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine, Rossdales Equine Hospital.
Introduction
For equine breeders, ensuring
the health and wellbeing of
both the mare and her foal
during pregnancy is of utmost
importance. Many perinatal losses
in horses are the result of fetal
death in late gestation, as well as
due to the birth of compromised
foals. Much research has focussed
on decreasing the rates of
perinatal losses in horses, but it
remains challenging to identify
compromised pregnancies
and avoid a negative outcome.
Traditional methods of monitoring
fetal heath have relied on
ultrasound, rectal palpation,
and visual assessment of the
mare’s condition. More recently
a novel technique, the fetal
electrocardiogram (ECG) has been
used to allow earlier detection
of problems with pregnancy and
improve outcomes for both the
mare and foal. This article explores
the use of ECGs in pregnant
mares, how they are recorded,
what information can be gained
and the potential benefits for
veterinarians and breeders.
What is Fetal ECG?
A fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) is
a non-invasive diagnostic method
that is used to record the electrical
activity of the fetal heart. In horses,
a single ECG device can be set
up to record both the mare and
fetus’s ECGs providing information
on the health of both. As in human
medicine, fetal ECGs provide
important information about the
fetal heart rate, rhythm and overall
cardiac health. In broodmares,
electrodes are placed on the
mare’s abdomen to detect the
electrical signals produced by
the fetus’s heart. Ideally the fetus
needs to be in mid-late gestation
for this technique to produce a
reliable recording. It is harder to
obtain a reliable recording earlier
in pregnancy when the fetus
is smaller.
Unlike ultrasonography, which
primarily provides images and
a transient snapshot of the fetal
heart rate, a fetal ECG provides
real-time, continuous data on
the fetal heart rate and rhythm.
This allows vets to monitor the
fetus over a longer period and
provides a more comprehensive
assessment of the fetus’s
wellbeing.
How is a fetal
ECG recorded?
Four electrodes are placed on
the mare as shown in Figure 1.
The different colour electrodes
are placed in the configuration
Figure 1
Above: Pregnant mare wearing a Televet ECG monitor. The coloured
circles indicate the location of the four electrodes. A Velcro padded
harness is used to keep the electrodes and recording device in place
shown. The abdomen of the
mare is scanned using ultrasound
to determine the placement of
the red electrode overlying the
location of the fetal heart (Figure
2). The sticky electrodes are
attached via leads to a recording
device, which the mare wears
on her side with a Velcro, easily
removable harness. The ECG
records to a small SD card or can
be watched live via Bluetooth on
a computer or iPad. The electrical
signals generated by the fetus’
heart are recorded then analysed
for heart rate, rhythm and any
abnormalities. Figure 3 shows a
recording of the mare and fetus’s
ECG traces.
When might monitoring
with a fetal ECG be
warranted?
Fetal ECGs are particularly
useful for monitoring high risk
pregnancies. These include mares
with risk factors such as illness,
placentitis, poor nutrition, a history
of abortion or problems with
previous foals. Common signs of
concern in pregnant mares include
weight loss, excessive body
Below: Abdominal ultrasound image of a pregnant mare’s abdomen
showing the fetal thorax. The vertical black lines are shadowing from
the fetal ribs and fetus’s heart is evident at the front of the thoracic
cavity (red arrow)
Figure 2
34 | British Breeder

Fetal Health | Feature
Figure 3
Left: Example recording of a fetus and
mare’s ECG traces
Below: Graph showing the change in heart
rates of the mare (blue line) and fetus (purple
line) over a 10 day period. There is a gradual
decline in the fetal heart rate over time
Figure 4
size, fever, vaginal discharge or
premature udder development.
What information can be
gained from the fetal ECG?
Fetal heart rate: Normal heart
rates for equine fetuses are
typically between 80-160 bpm
depending on the stage of
gestation. The heart rate of the
fetus will vary with activity. A
persistently low or high heart
rate can occur when a fetus is
not receiving adequate levels of
oxygen (hypoxia) and nutrients,
indicating fetal distress. Monitoring
the heart rate continuously allows
veterinarians to identify trends in
fetal heart rate that may worrying.
Arrhythmias: the presence of an
abnormal heart rhythm can be
an indicator of fetal distress or
developmental abnormalities.
Impending birth: In horses it has
been demonstrated that the fetal
heart rate decreases towards
Figure 6
birth with a noticeable drop in the
last 30-45 mins prior to foaling.
The fetal ECG may therefore help
identify impending birth in high risk
mares.
Heart rate variability (HRV):
Previous studies in horses and
other species have suggested
that fetal heart rate variability may
provide information concerning
how mature the fetus’s nervous
system is. Changes in HRV may
also denote fetal stress and
compromise.
Case example
Recently at Rossdales Equine
Hospital we used fetal ECG
monitoring for a sick mare in late
gestation who presented with
placentitis. Daily tracking of the
mare’s and fetus’s heart rates
showed that the fetal heart rate
was steadily declining, indicating
fetal distress (Figure 4). Commonly
the low fetal heart rate is evidence
of fetal hypoxia (low oxygen
Above: Graph showing the heart rate trends of the mare (blue line)
and fetus (purple line) after treatment interventions were made
(indicated by the blue arrow). There is a steady increase in the fetal
heart rate back to a normal level
Below: The mare
subsequently
maintained her
pregnancy and
went on to give
birth to a live foal
concentration). As part of the
mare’s treatment plan she was
started on intra-nasal oxygen as
well as nutritional support with IV
fluids. As can be seen from the
subsequent fetal ECG (Figure 5),
following this intervention (arrow)
we saw an improvement in the
fetus’s heart rate to a normal value.
The mare subsequently gave birth
to a live foal.
Conclusion
Figure 5
Fetal ECGs provide real-time
monitoring of equine fetal heart
rate and rhythm, which allows for
early detection of abnormalities
or fetal stress. Identifying these
issues early can allow timely
interventions and a better
outcome for the mare and foal.
The procedure is easy to perform
and non-invasive, posing no risk to
the mare or fetus. ●
To find out more,
visit rossdales.com
British Breeder | 35

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Feeding | Feature
PROTEIN FOR BROODMARES,
FOALS & YOUNGSTOCK
By Emma Nissler
BSc (Hons), ANutr,
Nutritional Manager
at Dodson &
Horrell Ltd.
Protein is a crucial nutrient
needed by the horse, and is
especially crucial for those
at stud, including broodmares,
foals and youngstock. It is a vital
building block for tissues, muscles
and organs, making it essential
for growth, repair and overall
health. Alongside a balanced
ration of essential vitamins,
minerals, carbohydrates, fats
and water; protein is one of the
six classes of nutrients needed
to ensure a balanced diet each
day. This article aims to highlight
the importance of protein for
those at stud in particular and
provide readers with a greater
understanding of this vital nutrient.
What is protein?
Protein comprises of individual
amino acids linked together.
Twenty amino acids are commonly
found as components of proteins,
10 of which can’t be synthesised
by the horse and so should be
provided in the horse’s diet.
However, three of the 10 essential
amino acids are considered
‘limiting’, meaning that utilisation of
other amino acids is limited even
if they are supplied in adequate
quantities. The limiting amino
acids lysine, methionine and
threonine are found in lower
quantities in the diet and can
limit protein synthesis if they
aren’t adequately supplied.
Quite often, the term ‘good
quality protein’ is used when
discussing requirements of
horses at stud. Good quality
protein is characterised by the
amino acid profile and balance;
further confirming the importance
of limiting amino acids.
Lysine
Lysine is the first limiting amino
acid in equine diets. This
means that it is more commonly
deficient in the horse’s diet,
with such deficiencies limiting
protein synthesis. Lysine’s key
roles include being converted
to carnitine, that supports key
enzymes needed to break
down fat for energy. It also
supports calcium levels in the
body by increasing calcium
absorption and minimising
loss in urine, making it
particularly important for
growing animals. Lysine
supports the production
of collagen and elastin for
skin and connective tissue
including tendons, ligaments
and cartilage, and is a critical
component of the muscle proteins
actin and myosin, that interact to
facilitate muscle contraction.
Lysine sources: High levels of
lysine are found in legumes like
peas, soybeans, soybean meal
and alfalfa. Some commercially
made feeds include F
British Breeder | 37

Feature | Feeding
additional lysine, and some
supplements are also available
to provide more lysine if the base
diet is lacking.
Threonine
Threonine is the second limiting
amino acid in equine diets after
lysine, especially for growing
horses. Low levels of threonine
in the diet can affect gut health
and protein synthesis. Threonine
is involved in making mucin
proteins, which form a protective
mucous barrier between the acidic
environment of the gut and the
cells of the stomach and small
intestine. Threonine is converted to
another amino acid called glycine,
which is required to make creatine,
a high energy compound naturally
found in muscle tissue. It can be
used to make glucose through a
process called gluconeogenesis in
the liver and can be broken down
to produce energy.
Threonine sources: Threonine
is found in most plant and animal
proteins, and is highest in pea
proteins, soybean meal and alfalfa.
It is naturally low in cereal grains
like wheat and oats. Concentrate
products typically contain added
threonine if raw materials like
soybean meal and alfalfa aren’t
main ingredients.
Methionine
Methionine is a limiting amino acid
that helps maintain healthy joints,
connective tissue, cartilage and
hoof health. It can be converted
to the non-essential amino acid
called cysteine, that is important
for making keratin proteins found
in hoof and hair. Methionine is
also converted to adenosine, the
key component of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP), the main energy
currency of the cell. It is also used
to make taurine, an amino acid
that is not used for synthesising
proteins but supports cells of the
nervous system, heart and retina.
Methionine sources: Methionine is
high in soybean meal and alfalfa,
and low in cereal grains and
grasses. It is typically added to
concentrate products and can be
specifically found in hoof
health supplements.
Broodmares
Broodmares, especially during late
gestation and lactation, require
significantly more protein than
non-breeding horses to support
foetal development, fertility and
milk production. Lactating mares in
particular need approximately twice
as much protein as barren mares or
mares in early pregnancy.
During the first two trimesters
there will be a mild progressive
increase in energy, protein and
lysine requirements. During
this time, good quality forage
and a stud-specific balancer
may be sufficient to meet these
requirements. It is important that
the balancer is stud-specific as
nutrient requirements are elevated
throughout pregnancy. Studspecific
products will often have
multiple feeding rates, ensuring
nutritional (and specifically protein)
requirements are met at each
stage of pregnancy. This also
reduces the need to change feeds
throughout gestation, supporting
the mares digestive health and
in turn, supporting milk and
colostrum quality.
Foals & youngstock
Young and growing horses will
typically need a higher amount of
dietary protein than adult horses,
to optimise skeletal and muscle,
health and development. Lysine in
particular, is extremely important
for foals and growing youngstock.
Mare’s milk is a rich source
of lysine, so it is important to
ensure foals at foot are receiving
adequate milk and suckling well
up to 90 days post-partum.
After the first 12 months of life,
youngstock protein requirements
start to decrease, and after 24
months their requirement for
protein decreases further; being
closer to that of an adult horse.
Stud-specific products will often
accommodate this by having
multiple feeding rates for each
life stage. Although protein
requirement in youngstock does
slowly decrease, the quality of
protein is still important to uphold,
to ensure the maintenance of
their health and development
throughout life.
Searching for feeds that contain
good quality protein sources,
like soya bean meal or alfalfa will
provide a full range of essential
amino acids; and therefore,
ensure support of all breeding
stages from conception, gestation,
lactation and each stage of growth
post-partum. ●
To learn more visit dodsonandhorrell.com
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