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Use of Kinship Analysis when Considering Breeding
Breeders use lots of tools to decide which stallion to choose for their mare, particularly 'stocksmanship' which combines the art of putting together bloodlines using experience and science to maximise the possibility of producing quality progeny which follow the breed standard. As has been recorded in a previous member’s newsletter, a complementary tool to stocksmanship is kinship analysis where a value can be put on the relationship between mares and selected stallions. The mean kinship of the Highland pony breed is 0.0403 (4%) and it would not be advisable to select a match where the kinship was higher than this. If you would like a full kinship analysis on your…
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The Launch of the In Hand Awards Scheme
The HPS Performance Awards Schemes in Scotland and England & Wales have been running very successfully for around 40 years. Council is delighted now to be introducing a UK wide In Hand Scheme running along broadly similar lines. Whenever members are out and about competing in hand, they will earn points which accumulate to grand totals for the year. We are very grateful to all the donors of 13 perpetual trophies which have been presented: Overall - Alan and Carolyn Munro, Loandhu Highland Ponies Reserve - Amanda Fairclough, Shawgreen Highland Ponies Best Mare - Sarah Macintosh, Redleys Highland Ponies Best Stallion - The Bonars, Bowmore Highland Ponies Best Gelding -…
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Performance Awards 2020 Full Results
In a break with the usual tradition of lunch, home baking and craic, the Performance Awards Presentations took place 'virtually' for the first time ever! We were delighted that, from 37 different firesides including the United States and Germany, Willie Ralston, the Society's Presidnet, welcomed around 45 people! Gillian McMurray gave a most interesting illustrated talk on the history of Highland ponies from their working days on farms and crofts to the ponies we enjoy today in performance in so many different disciplines. Christopher Grant who runs the scheme for England & Wales masterminded the presentations, warming us up with a lovely compilation of photographs featuring the ponies who had…
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Invitation to Highland Pony Owners!
Megan Hunter, a final year Equine Management degree student, is undertaking a dissertation in which she asks the opinions of equine rare breed breeders on the use of assisted reproductive technology. It would be much appreciated if you would like to participate in her survey which is directed specifically towards rare breeds and, in the fullness of time, her published results will make very interesting reading. You are welcome to participate here if you wish: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-OrXGdmFdUK6HF2nFeXrPjtLNJwv8PBKpNM69M-srHFUQkJSQjk4TVhNVFZCTUxUUTBESDM5UTNRMC4u
