why aren't there more Suffolk Punch horses around?

They are quite difficult to breed from successfully. My friend bought a suffolk and got her in foal but within a month of the foal being born it was starting to go downhill. One day the foal was found lying down in the field and unable to get up. On investigation by the vet the foal's organs hadn't developed properly and there was no option but to pts. It was all very sad at the time after so much hope.
 
because they cost a lot keep (huge feed bills) and their 'job' doesn't exist as such any more, i guess.
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i don't know why there aren't more half-breds and part-breds though, considering the success of other coldblood crosses...
 
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They are quite difficult to breed from successfully. My friend bought a suffolk and got her in foal but within a month of the foal being born it was starting to go downhill. One day the foal was found lying down in the field and unable to get up. On investigation by the vet the foal's organs hadn't developed properly and there was no option but to pts. It was all very sad at the time after so much hope.

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that's a sad story. i did wonder if perhaps they were hard to breed from. because they really are handsome things. does anyone know if they're used for riding as well as driving?
 
I know a few people that ride them. but like said previous - they are no longer needed for what they were.....we gave tractors now!!

There is however a breeding programme now and many this year and last have been born with a wide range of both Fillys and Colts which is great news.
 
Because they are a nightmare to breed from!!

I agree they are beautiful horses. Easily one of my favorite breeds.
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I dont think people use the breed as riding horses much and their 'job' has been taken over by machinery so nobody really breeds them. It is quite sad. I hope they dont go extinct but I think they are on the critical list.
 
i think they are classed as an indangered species. there is only about 200 left. very sad really.
 
I don't think they are particularly difficult to breed from - any more than other breeds. They like the CB are on the RBST critical list.

I used to live at Stansgate House beside the River Blackwater Stansgate Farm kept two SP mares one had a filly foal called Stansgate Neferttiti. Both mares lived out all year and foaled outside.

Last year I wrote to the breed society and found a large % of SP today are descended from her.

This year CBHS only had 16 CB filly foals born in the UK. If one mare has a difficult foaling it represents a stastically large% of the herd but compared to all mares foaling in the UK it means nothing. I don't thik we can assume any rare breed is 'difficult' to breed from.

However the smaller the herd the greater the danger or in-breeding.

The one problem all heavy horses face today is that they are costly to feed and shoe and unless you are serious about harness horses their uses in work and competition are more limited than lighter horses.

Suffolks are a wonderful breed. Love them.
 
I think the 200 refers to breeding animals.

42 foals were born this year.
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- 18 fillies

I assume that there arent many partbreds as they are trying to keep the breed going so not using purebred mares at least for parts
 
My horse Zak has a bit of Suffolk Punch in him mom was 3/4 ID 1/4 Suffolk Punch I think. He does have the colour..
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(chestnut in sig)
Dont think he'd cope too well in a plough though
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They are only difficult to breed from because the numbers are low to find a good stallion and mare.
They are so endangered because they were not required for farm work once tractors arrived , and went out of fashion. The Shire is also on the Endangered list.
 
We have lots round our way as they are bred just round the corner to us. I was filling up the muck heap a couple of weeks ago when one came along with the cart, crikey they are HUGE!!! feet like dinner plate, bigger than dinner plates in fact!! They have one or two foals each year, they are lovely, very ginger and very big!!!
 
I would love a SP.

I have a Clydesdale x highland and would love a SP. I am used to big horses.

I dont see any reason why they cannot be ridden.

Are there any studs which breed them for private homes?
 
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42 foals were born this year.
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- 18 fillies


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Gosh, that was quick!
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*coughs* - Pedanticc
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Some live down the raod from me, and they are so gorgeous (although it feels like an earthquake when they trot over if you hack poast when they're chilling in the field!). They are gorgeous and their foals are so cute!
 
Hi there,

I own two cleveland Bays and they are the most fantastic horses I have ever owned.
Wonderful calm temperament and very willing to please and fast learners (not stubborn at all like some people think). They are not spooky or unpredictable horses so excellent for novices.

They are heavy enough to have good strong legs and carry weight but fine enough to look elligant in the show ring.
They have enough stamina to hunt all day long.

And as if the above was enough to convince you they are so so cheap to maintain!!! Mine live off thin air, can be stabled or turned out all winter with minimal rugging!
Remember they are a tough breed designed to work hard all day long but be cheap to keep.

I am saddened every time I think of the fact that they are a dying breed and can't understand why people don't want them.
In my opinion they are the most versatile middleweight breed you could ever ask for.

Please please please buy one everybody and save the Cleveland Bays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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However the smaller the herd the greater the danger or in-breeding.
Suffolks are a wonderful breed. Love them.

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I too love the heavy breeds and enjoy riding them. However I have had 3 mares - 1x Shire and 2xClyde/Shires. The 1st one must have been born in the early '70s and lived to a grand old age. The other 2 (born much later) sadly had to be pts prematurely, both from illnesses.
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After the 2nd devastating experience I reluctantly decided that I wasn't prepared to go through that again and so my current mare is IDx. I am convinced that the problems stem from in-breeding.
But if any-one knows where there is a ClydeX something else mare for sale I could be interested
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ETS Just counted again and Molly must have been born in the '60s!
 
Due to the fact that they are, very sadly, now a Rare Breed. Crossed with a TB or ID, they make absolutely cracking Ridden Cobs. Can be quite sharp but move straight, are serious jumpers and think for themselves.
 
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Crossed with a TB or ID, they make absolutely cracking Ridden Cobs. Can be quite sharp but move straight, are serious jumpers and think for themselves.

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Sooo true! My lad (sig) is Suffolk cross something, not sure what but obv something coloured. He is absolutely cracking - definitely does not conform to people's expectations of a heavy, beautifully behaved yes but much too forward going and thinking, and freakily athletic despite the short legs and heavy build!

One of the main things I love about hiim - the legs may be short, but there are definitely five of them (he's got me out of trouble enough times). I feel wonderfully, fabulously safe on him.

He's worth his (considerable!) weight in gold! Such a huge shame there are so few. Absolutely cracking breed.
 
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