While I'm thankful that rare breeds are being bred I do wonder how genetic diversity, or lack thereof, is being preserved. Does anyone know how the bottlenecks are being avoided?
The Cleveland Bay society have documented all their breeding stock and come up with a traffic light system, to guide owners/breeders.
Looks a good start
Highland pony society are looking to use the cleveland bay traffic light system to improve diversity there are enough lines for preservation but fashion was limiting the gene pool
Watching this thread with interest as I know nothing about the topic, but have always felt like they should bring some genes from continental heavy horses into the Suffolk Punch.