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An Interim Report on the Development of a Breed Preservation Plan for the Irish Draught Horse (download the PDF version) document provided by the RDS.
Press Release, 05 December 2005
RDS Irish Draught Horse Study
The findings from Phase 2 of the RDS Irish Draught Horse Study have indicated that genetic diversity within the breed is of great concern. The Study analysed the relationship of the current breeding population in relation to three very influential sires, namely the King of Diamonds, Pride of Shaunlara and Clover Hill. The analysis found that 98% of the current mare population and 96% of active stallions are related to the King of Diamonds and Pride of Shaunlara, who are themselves related through the stallion Galty Boy. Should this trend continue it is likely that all mares and stallions will be traced to one lineage in the next couple of generations.
In any population inbreeding is driven by the relationships among animals in the population. Inbreeding can lead to a decrease in the fitness of a population and should be avoided or at least minimised. Stallions play the largest role in the evolution of relationships within a population as they have the opportunity to breed many more offspring than mares. In order to increase the genetic diversity of a population it is necessary to identify animals that are of least relation to each other.
The Study also found that four out of the five least related or outcross stallions are standing in Great Britain and that only one total outcross stallion has been fully approved since the introduction of performance testing. To increase the genetic diversity within the breed it is necessary to make more outcross stallions available to breeders.
The report also indicated a clear need to harmonise how the Irish Draught horse is recorded across Irish Draught studbooks. If routine assessment of the genetic diversity within a breed is to be undertaken, an accurate pedigree recording system is required. A centralised “worldwide” studbook was identified as the ideal solution. Such a system would also ensure that accurate mating advice would be available to breeders throughout the world.
The Study is funded through the RDS Committee of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and has been conducted by geneticists from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF). It was supported in response to the RDS Committee of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’s perceived need to implement a breed preservation plan for the Irish Draught Horse, which is now recognised as an endangered species.
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Fiona Sheridan
Marketing Executive, RDS
Direct line; 01 240 7222
fiona.sheridan@rds.ie