CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SUFFOLK Horse (PUNCH) Project
Critically Endangered Suffolk Punch foal born by artificial insemination of sexed semen in bid to help save iconic regional horse breed.
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The Otter Trust are delighted to announce the birth of a Suffolk Punch filly foal on the 15th June at Dickleburgh, South Norfolk. The Otter Trust have a long history of supporting UK native livestock breeds and through our Earsham Wetland Centre and Dickleburgh Moor Nature Reserve we can support the regional breeds of East Anglia, including the Suffolk Horse, Red Poll Cattle, Norfolk Horn Sheep, Norfolk Black Turkey, Norfolk Grey Chicken, Norwich Cropper Pigeon, Ixworth Chicken and Silver Appleyard Duck.’
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‘Using new technology we believe that the future of the Suffolk Horse can be secured. Genetically selecting the best possible stallions and using artificial insemination and sexed semen, we are able to produce much needed filly foals, that we go on to become the breeding mares of the future.’
The foal was produced via artificial insemination of sexed semen, with the aim of creating genetically viable filly foals. This is a new procedure in Suffolk Horses and is potentially one of the ways that the breed can be saved from extinction (producing more females than male horses and ensuring that the rare bloodlines are producing females that can go on to breed). This procedure was completed by Twemlows Stud Farm and Stallion AI of Whitchurch, Shropshire.
The mare: Nedging Crystal is owned by The Otter Trust and grazed at Dickleburgh Moor Nature Reserve and Earsham Wetland Centre.
The stallion: Gateridge Kelso, was selected as the best genetic match on the Sparks System. Kelso is current at stud at Bowland Irish Draught Horses, Closes Hall Farm, Bolton by Bowland, Clitheroe, Lancashire.
The foal was produced via artificial insemination of sexed semen, with the aim of creating genetically viable filly foals. This is a new procedure in Suffolk Horses and is potentially one of the ways that the breed can be saved from extinction (producing more females than male horses and ensuring that the rare bloodlines are producing females that can go on to breed). This procedure was completed by Twemlows Stud Farm and Stallion AI of Whitchurch, Shropshire.
The mare: Nedging Crystal is owned by The Otter Trust and grazed at Dickleburgh Moor Nature Reserve and Earsham Wetland Centre.
The stallion: Gateridge Kelso, was selected as the best genetic match on the Sparks System. Kelso is current at stud at Bowland Irish Draught Horses, Closes Hall Farm, Bolton by Bowland, Clitheroe, Lancashire.
"The birth of this filly foal is splendid news and we would like to thank our volunteers, staff, support organisations, veterinarians and the farrier who helps us maintain our herd of pedigree Suffolk Horses.
- Ben Potterton
Heritage breeds Preservation‘Our Suffolk Punch Horses are an integral part of our heritage and instrumental in the management of water meadows along the Waveney Valley. These gentle giants distribute wildflower seed, create opening within the grassland and eat a wider range of plant species, including tree seedings and courser grasses.’
- Ben Potterton
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