A mixed picture for Britain's rare native breeds

The annual rare breeds watchlist shows good news for Welsh Bs and Fells, but concerns for the Hackney

- By LUCY ELDER

THE overarching picture for Britain's rare equine breeds is a mixed bag in 2025, as Hackneys face a worrying decline while others have a welcome boost in numbers.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) watchlist is the annual report on the UK's native equine and livestock breeds. It takes into account the number of breeding females registered and measures of genetic diversity.

Fells, Dartmoors, Cleveland Bays and Eriskays have all recorded increases. There is also "a more stable picture" for Welsh section Bs, which were added to the watchlist last year (news, 18 April 2024).

The RBST said the list "deepens concerns" for the Hackney, which "remains in a very challenging situation".

"The breed has now seen worryingly low numbers for over a decade and while female registrations were slightly higher in 2024 compared to 2023, the total number of dams producing registered progeny declined," stated the RBST.