FH Affiliated Ponies
Breeding Training Raising Promoting Consulting
Breeding a heritage rare breed is a multi-faceted challenge where our main goal is to build up and retain genetic viability for the future. Preservation goes beyond our time and moment of ego, involving thoughtful decisions that consider the collective gene pool. Understanding gene flow, genetic drift and the dangers of line breeding to a breed as a whole are essential........ so our children and their children can not only enjoy these treasures but are able to do so without the burdens associated with deleterious genetic mutations.
The critical facets require responsible breeding where the substance is found in deep understandings of the genetic concerns related to small populations and small gene pools. There exists a prevailing trend of repeating what is popular and fashionable based on observable traits. The desire to perpetuate desirable traits must be tempered with a real in depth understanding and analysis of the actual breeding pool within a population.
An intense independent bloodline research project completed early 2023 led me through a process that identified the North American Fell pony foals born from 2017-2022. This project wove through the identification of 43 contributing stallions and 110 contributing mares, landing with 4-6G reverse pedigrees back to foundation contributors. The results provide a wealth of information, identifies bloodline bottlenecks and points of concern within the breeding gene pool, allowing us to make more informed decisions for the future. Expect more details coming in the future with regard to bloodline diversity and how all breeders can and should encourage each other to prioritize these concerns.
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RedPrairie Freedom
FiddleHead Brooke