‘Freakish’ Arabian colt sparks breeding backlash
The stud at which the youngster was born said he was near perfection — but has since removed his pictures
AN Arabian stud in the US has removed its social media presence following a backlash against a “freakish” colt it has bred.
Orrion Farms, Washington, had been promoting pictures and video of nine-month-old El Rey Magnum RCF, who they considered “close to perfection”.
The stud said the colt was already worth “several million dollars”, but critics including UK vets deemed him “freakish” and described his appearance as a “worrying development”.
Equine reproduction expert Jonathan Pycock told the Veterinary Record he thought the horse was “cartoon-like” and said he feared its looks could result in respiratory problems.
Mr Pycock later explained his reaction after pictures went viral.
“As equine vets we place the health and welfare of the horse
ahead of other considerations; we recognise that in other species breeding primarily for appearance has undoubtedly compromised some animals’ welfare,” he said.
“We were asked to comment on an individual horse’s appearance and, whilst noting this, made the point that further diagnostic work would be required to determine to what extent, if any, the particular horse’s ability to function normally would be impaired.
“We do not wish to (and did not seek to) single out any breed or breeders for condemnation, but would urge all breeders to ensure that good health is prioritised over appearance.”
The colt was branded “extreme”, in the UK, where the Arab Horse Society of Great Britain was among those to speak out.
Chairman Annette Dixon said that while the breed standard considers a “small dish” desirable it is important to consider the airways of the horse, especially in a breed known for stamina.
“We promote Arabs as versatile animals for endurance, ridden showing, dressage, showjumping and as family horses,” she said.
ALMOST RANDOM
PAUL ATKINSON, of the Cullinghurst Arabian Stud in Norfolk, noted that he had not spoken to anyone in the field who did not consider the colt to be an extreme example.
“Were we or any other breeder inclined to select stock to breed heads like that it would be a bit of a travesty,” he said.
But he added that although there are fans of the colt’s exaggerated appearance, he does not think El Rey Magnum RCF represents a trend.
“He has quite an international pedigree and the sire and dam don’t have the same extreme profile,” he said. “I think it was almost random rather than selected for, and I’d gamble that the same parents wouldn’t produce the same again.”
Vet Dr Madeleine Campbell, a specialist in animal welfare science, ethics and law, said as a general ethical principle, it “must be wrong to breed for traits that even run the risk of compromising the horse’s ability to breathe.”
She added that El Rey Magnum’s situation is “completely analogous to arguments about dogs bred for fashion”.
While the horse world has often been considered immune to some concerns related to dog breeding — as horses are usually bred for performance rather than appearance — it is a presumption that equestrians have the moral high ground.
Dr Campbell also noted that sports horses do not escape, with “huge warmbloods that look good at five but are crippled by nine” emerging as a problem.
Dressage rider and trainer David Pincus said breeding has gone more towards “a hypothetical type than functionality.”
“Market-focused breeders are producing young horses who give the picture a horse used to give after years of training. It’s a picture that lacks substance,” he said. “Young horses are showing hind flexion like a grand prix horse, which puts pressure on all internal joint structures.
“It’s a failing of managers, of breed societies, and of all who should be able to guide what is and is not necessary.”
‘We urge breeders to prioritise health over appearance’
JONATHAN PYCOCK