Although hundreds of Hackney horses once gracefully swung carriages around London, it is now rare that they are being used.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), an annual watchlist, has identified the breed as at high risk due to the fact that there are only 31 breeding females left in Britain.
However, native goat breeds are doing well and have become a popular pet. For a more sustainable way of producing milk and meat, farmers are also trying out older English goat breeds.
The RBST Watchlist is a conservation organization that tracks the number of animals in each native species every year. They are concerned about the future of domestic breeds and point out that many of them are important for biodiversity.
Hackney horse numbers are now below 50, which is the threshold set by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization as a concern level. This breed, which was already in decline, has seen a further decline over the past 12 years, with only 31 females producing registered progeny, compared to more than 300 breeding females. This is compared to the more than 300 breeding females that were registered in 2011.
Christopher Price, chief executive of RBST stated: Unlike many native equines, they don’t have a modern use many. [other breeds]Can be used in forestry work and similar activities. Carriage-pulling is considered more of a hobby for most people. They are part of our history and biodiversity, so people should keep them.
The UN charter for biodiversity mandates that both native and preserved breeds must be protected. Wild and domestic animals share the same conservation obligation. This population can be sustained, but it will be far more sustainable if there are more people who keep, use and register them.
Price was however keen to point out that many breeds, including goat and cattle, are thriving due to the changing nature farming. In recent decades, continental breeds have become more popular than native breeds. Native breeds require less food and heat to thrive.
There is a novelty and element to keeping goat breeds like Old English, Bagot, Guernsey. However, most goats are kept by farmers for their meat and milk because they require little shelter and food.
Price explained that as farming changes with subsidies ending, they are adapting to survive by diversifying and creating niche products. Subsidized high-input breeds can be difficult to keep going so people are increasingly looking for low-input species. Goats require very little input as they don’t need the same supplementary feed or vet bills as other continental breeds. Our native breeds were bred in systems that had a lower environmental impact and less input at the beginning of the century.
Dartmoor ponies and Exmoor ponies are also doing well. These ponies are being used in rewilding projects as well as native cattle species.
The RBST watchlist
Animals at risk
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Large White pigs: Large White pigs are moving up the priority levels on the watchlist. This breed was once very popular and was used to create many commercial breeds. According to the British Pig Association almost every supermarket selling pork will have some amount of Large White genetics. In 1954, 16751 licensed boars were recorded. This represented 76%. According to the BPA, there were only 66 boars in 2021.
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Hackney pony and horse: These horses and ponies were once highly prized for pulling carriages.
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Norfolk Horn sheep: One of the oldest sheep breeds in the UK, there was only one remaining flock by the 1890s. While numbers are healthier now, the dramatic decline in the number of progeny and breeding dams is concerning.
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Gloucester cattle: Gloucester cattle remain a major concern, with a decrease in the number dams exacerbating worries about lack of genetic diversity.
Improving fortunes
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Native breed goats: The four UK native breeds (English Old English Bagot, Guernsey and Old English) have all experienced stability or growth in the past year.
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Lincoln LongwoolSheep While the breed is still considered a priority, there has been an increase in the effective population size as well as the number of breeders.
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Ponies from Exmoor and DartmoorThe West Country breeds have seen a significant increase in the number dams. This is vital for managing inbreeding.
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VaynolAnd AlbionCattleBoth are still considered priority breeds but their numbers increased significantly in 2021.