Advance in technology could help survival of rare breeds
A NEW breeding technique which can determine a foal’s gender could help support the survival of rare equine breeds.
In a world first, a rare Suffolk Punch horse has given birth to a filly foal through a technique using sex-sorted sperm.
Suffolk Punch mare Ruby is one of only 72 female Suffolk Punches remaining in the UK and fewer than 300 are recorded around the world.
Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) supporter and the owner of Stallion AI Services, Tullis Matson, said he saw an opportunity to use a technological advancement in the sex-sorting of equine semen, to provide “a lifeline” to Britain’s critically endangered, rare and native horses.
“To be able to use our reproduction expertise in this way, to help preserve an irreplaceable part of our magnificent heavy horse heritage is something we have been working towards for many years,” said Mr Tullis.
“The challenges have been great and many but watching the birth of this beautiful, healthy filly foal was a truly magical experience.”
The sex-sorting project, carried out in partnership with bovine semen sexing companies Cogent and Sexing Technologies, uses specialist equipment to analyse the semen prior to insemination based on the difference in DNA content between X and Y bearing spermatozoa.
Ruby is owned by Nottingham Trent University and she, along with Suffolk stallion Holbeach Iggy owned by Mike Clarke of Holbeache Farm in Suffolk, were selected for the project.
Christopher Price, the RBST’s chief executive officer, said: “This is tremendous news for anyone concerned with the conservation of our native equines.”
Mr Matson said the birth of the healthy filly foal was a “beacon of hope” not just for the Suffolk Punch, but for all critically endangered breeds.