Urgent calls to act to save heavy horses

THE Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has launched an urgent appeal in a bid to save three rare horse breeds from extinction.

The charity has made a film to ask for help to support Shires, Clydesdales and Suffolks, whose numbers are “worryingly low”.

Only 240 Shire, 199 Clydesdale and 25 Suffolk pedigree foals were born last year, and all three could be extinct in 10 years if action is not taken, it has been reported.

The film explains in depth the contribution the breeds have made to Britain’s history, adding: “£375,000 will save these working-class heroes for ever; they still have work to do.”

It concludes with scenes of heavy horses working with police and in forestry, in modern Britain.

“These working class heavy horse heroes need our help now so that they can survive and thrive in the future,” said RBST president Jimmy Doherty.

A major part of the RBST’s work involves collecting genetic material, which is stored in the UK National Livestock Gene Bank. This makes it possible to “recreate” a breed should it become extinct.

The Suffolk Horse Society’s Nigel Oakley said: “We, as a generation, are custodians of our rare breed heavy horses. We should not let down our grandchildren’s children and allow the breeds to become extinct.

“We are responsible.”

Visit: horseandhound.co.uk/ heavy-horse-appeal to watch the film and support the appeal