Genetic diversity in domestic animals is
revealed asdistinct breeds, each with different characteristics and uses. Traditional, historic breeds retain essential attributes for
survival and self-sufficiency -- fertility, foraging ability, longevity, maternal instincts, ability to mate naturally, and resistance to diseases and
parasites. As agriculture changes we need to be able to draw on this genetic diversity for a broad range of uses and future opportunities. Protection
of endangered farm animal breeds is the only way to save their genetic potential for the future. Once lost, genetic diversity is gone forever. It can
never be recovered. The need to save traditional, historic livestock is urgent. Throughout history, each generation has taken its turn as steward of
the genetic trust. The current generation, however, is in danger of bankrupting the trust. Each day, some breeds move closer to extinction,
breeds are challenged by genetic loss from crossbreeding programs. The
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
Genetic diversity is NOT breeding to
stock with blood from outside breeds nor is it "mixing" lines. That practice does NOT improve genetic diversity it disintegrates it. A limited
mitochondrial study on an individual pony will demonstrate the relationship between it's breed and any others used to produce it. That is why the WPCS
studbook was closed to outside breeds and that is why piebalds and skewbalds were eliminated from the registry even though the breeders of the day
knew nothing of modern genetics. Read these articles.
Bard competed before the current WPCSA point chase system, we don't feel it a priority to spend time tracking down his Championships for a few letters. His get speak for his quality.
The Welsh Pony(book)-
Private printing for Charles A. Stone 1913
....... there were too many doors left carelessly open. The larger pony of the lower lands was becoming mixed with
Cardinganshire cob; and some owners were guilty of letting half-bred Shire colts have the run of the hills. In time the only safe place
for the mountain pony would have been the topmost crests, but for an event of happy effect upon his destiny. This was the organization of the Welsh-
Pony- and Cob- Society in the Royal Show Yard at Cardiff. Lord Tredegar was the first president, and after him the Earl of Powys. King George became
a patron, and the society aquired an impetus that proved it had not been born too soon. The formation of a Stud Book was the initial practical
business of the Society, and its first volumes derive special value from the fact that Wales has always tended to the patriarchial system, and her
traditions, whether of horses or families, can be relied upon. There have always been wise and prudent breeders in the land; men who could, in some
degree, counteract indifference and hold to ideal aim....... Nature long ago accomplished her best for the Welsh pony, and while he was practically an
isolated type it was easy to maintain her standard. But with multifarious breeds and half-breeds in proximity, the carelessness
of man was beginning to undo her work, and Wales might have followed Ireland in the deterioration of her pony stock and the loss of a fixed type, if
the Society had not actively intervened........ Finally, after many difficulties, unwearying effort, and a constant display of good nature, the
committee secured the passage of the Act and put an end to what one of the overworked members, exasperated to humor, termed the "unlimited liability
sire system." by Olive Tilford Dargan, Printed privately for Charles A. Stone : 1913
Most breeders have short term goals. Their breeding program is to produce a foal better
than the sire or dam, one for a fad or market. It ends there, and compares to a cross-breeding program. For example, in one generation a breeder can
produce, by breeding opposite qualities, a show winner with 'quality and refinement'. But then, in each passing generation, the animals lose the very
traits that made them unique.
Every breed registry is subject to political pressure and conflicting interests. Talk
to breeders and they will tell you their concerns about the future of the breed. These are not theoretical musings, these things are happening now. Every
breed registry is feeling the pressures of change.
On the other hand,
each breed has legacy breeders, those that are dedicated to a breed's original standard and will not change. There are certain things that legacy breeders
do, things that are not mystical or secrets handed down from past generations. They are sound breeding principles that are common knowledge, but ignored
by most breeders. They are principles that are shoved aside through politics and fads, economics and personal whims.
Legacy breeders breed by the standard. That seems too simple to be true. They breed to
good qualities, not away from bad. There are no surprises in a legacy breeder’s barn, he continues to breed good qualities to good qualities to the point
where his foal crop is predictable. At that point even his culls are better quality and truer to breed type than the best of other breeders. Legacy
breeders study pedigrees, family lines and individual ponies. They know family lines and the traits passed on by those lines and where they came from, the
genetics that carry on. The genetics that do not change the breed. The genetics that breed true to the standard. *In many Welsh lines thorobreds show up within the first eleven generations ie: crossbreeding, thus
loss of bone, Welsh type, body type, movement and pony quality.
Every registered breed has it’s own breed standard, and to the legacy
breeder this standard is revered. Legacy breeders appreciate the breed’s unique character, and are dedicated to preserving these qualities. It would never
occur to a legacy breeder to "improve" the breed. Legacy breeders believe in the breed and will not change for any judge, for any market trend, for any
amount of money. . . .
