Hackney fear as numbers drop again

The breed has suffered another decline in the latest Rare Breeds Survival Trust watch list, but others have steadied

- By ELEANOR JONES

THE Hackney horse and pony has had a further decline, Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) figures show, but there are signs of hope elsewhere. The numbers of Hackneys were already “very low” but the annual RBST watch list shows that its situation is now critical.

The number of dams producing registered offspring dropped from 34 in 2024 to 20, a 41% reduction. The breed’s effective population size, a measure of genetic diversity rather than number of horses, has dropped from 52 to 27.

RBST CEO Christopher Price said: “Halting this decline is an urgent priority and we will work with RBST members and the breed society to intensify our conservation programmes.”

Hackney Horse Society council member Fred Vyse added: “Whether in the show ring or as a spirited companion, the Hackney remains a breed of unparalleled quality.