RARE BREEDS OF LIVESTOCK

RARE BREEDS OF BRITISH LIVESTOCK - HORSES

Once, Britain's livestock was far more diverse and colourful than it is today. Most regions had local varieties suited to local conditions and needs.

Some breeds have been lost forever. Luckily some others are being preserved in small numbers, not just because they are attractive, but also because they better suit particular styles of farming or locations and to preserve genetic diversity. Having livestock that is more-or-less all the same is genetically a bad thing - valuable traits are lost (such as the ability to lamb at different times of the year) and should illness strike it could wipe out entire breeds. Some breeds now have genetic defects (usually related to fast growth and excessive muscle growth) that cause problems in breeding and birthing.

The colour photos were taken at various farm museums and agricultural shows.

HORSES Once the motive power on farms and the main means of transport (riding and draught), horses have been replaced by machines. Even the showy brewers' drays are now in decline, mainly for reasons of road safety. Unlike continental Europe, Britain does not farm horses for their meat - in fact this is the major food taboo in Britain although many moorland ponies are exported overseas for human consumption. The main draught breeds in Britain are the Clydesdale (Scotland), Shire (shown here), Percheron (from Normandy) and Suffolk Punch. In spite of its name, the Irish Draught Horse is not a heavy horse. The Miniature Horses, though pets rather than farm animals, were exhibited at the Essex County Show.

Further reading and more pictures (most available from online bookstores):

Two Hundred Years of British Farm Livestock by Stephen JG Hall & Juliet Clutton-Brock (as well as describing the history of breeds, this is crammed full of paintings showing how livestock breeds have changed)
The Chance to Survive by Lawrence Alderson (discusses rare and vanished breeds in several countries and the reasons why genetic diversity is important, has lots of photos)
Saving the Breeds: History of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust by Lawrence Alderson, Valerie Porter & Sue Franklin (relates to the preservation of rare breeds in Britain)
A Rare Breeds Album of American Livestock by Carolyn J Christman, D Phillip Sponenberg & Donald E Bixby (relates to the preservation of rare breeds in the USA)
Minority Breeds (an American booklet with black-and-white photos and accompanying descriptions; it appears to be out of print)

HISTORICAL PHOTOS INDEX

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