Conservation grazing is done very successfully in so many countries. It’s all about adequate management, with local people forming groups to do this.
Of basic significance is that wild horses/native horses and ponies graze totally differently to domestic equines.
The Waler is a rare breed. The more we can learn and share what we know, the more secure their future will be. For the expert and the amateur alike, education is the most powerful tool available.
From the time Walers were actively bred, they were bred in the range situation, essentially as wild horses in huge areas of tough country.
Waler have perhaps the broadest gene pool in the equine world and they are now a rare breed. DNA testing and gene collection is critical to the preservation of the breed.
Already lost to us is the DNA of many of our foundation generation Walers as DNA testing was not readily available or affordable at the time these horses were captured and bought into domestic situations.
This project was conducted by WHOBAA in conjunction with Dr E G Cothran of the Texas A&M University, Dept of Veterinary Science, USA.
I became interested in the silver gene just over ten years ago, when a beautiful silver bay mare of supposed Waler breeding took my fancy. Up until then, I would have lumped silver bays and chestnuts with flaxen into the same colour category, which would be taffies.
Just a little guide, as requested by a few breeders, which covers artificial insemination, hand-serving, and paddock serving. Nothing herein is a substitute for legal advice.
