The Rare Breeds Survival Trust was established 25 years ago to save from extinction any more breeds of farm livestock including horses and ponies. Back in 1973 there was a particular need for this as in the years leading up to this date, no fewer than five distinct breeds of pigs had disappeared forever. Furthermore, there was no law to protect domestic livestock breeds and in the headlong rush for food production in the post-war period, breeds that did not suit the needs of the day were allowed to wither and die.

During this period, we nearly lost our native heavy horses as mechanisation was widely adopted throughout the land. The gentle giants who had worked the land for so long were finally cast aside almost completely by the advent of the affordable tractor with hydraulic power. Before the Trust was established, worthy (and heroic) individuals had saved nucleus breeding stocks and saved them for posterity. But even today, the Suffolk breed, the working horse of East Anglian, is one of the most endangered animals in Great Britain with only around 70 breeding mares in existence.

Our native ponies are more puzzling still. Everyone is used to seeing riding ponies in fields in almost every part of the country, so how can our native breeds be rare? The huge majority of ponies in Britain are crossbred and without paying attention to maintaining pure breeding, there is a danger that the distinct original types, can die out. These breeds are our seed corn and whilst cross-breeds suit the basic needs of riding, each breed is distinctive with its own qualities which we need to return to from time to time to improve certain aspects. Again, some breeds are particularly rare. The Eriskay from the Western Isles of Scotland is tough and hardy and a very attractive, friendly animal. Yet there are only around 100 breeding mares left. Because our native equines seem to be particularly vulnerable in these current times, the Trust has launched its Horseshoe Appeal to try and raise £100,000 to help our most vulnerable equine breeds. It you would like details on how you could donate to this fund, please contact the Rare Breeds Survival Trust at the address below.

The sort of problems that need addressing include the following:

• The lack of working opportunities is holding back the development of many breeds.

• The cost of passports required for all registered horses and ponies is disproportionate to the value of many native breed foals. This is a major disincentive to pure breeding.

• Whether one agrees with hunting or not, the likely ban on hunting in the foreseeable future will have a major impact on the demand for hunters, often the produce of a cross between thoroughbred and a rare breed such as a Cleveland Bay, Irish Draught or Clydesdale. Larger ponies such as the Fell and the Dales are often used purebred.

• Particularly with heavy horses, it is apparent that older keepers when they come to retire are not being readily replaced by younger people willing or able to devote the same amount of time, effort and resources to keep breeding them.

These comments apply to almost all the breeds on the Trust's Priority List to some degree. Individual breeds have other problems - the Fell pony is suffering from a syndrome which is probably genetically linked which results in a high degree of foal mortality. Each of the breeds listed below has its own pedigree society and it you are interested in learning more about one or more of them, we will gladly put you in touch with them.

HORSES

• Cleveland Bay
• Clydesdale
• Irish Draught
• Suffolk

PONIES

• Dales
• Dartmoor
• Eriskay
• Exmoor
• Fell

The Trust is not government funded and relies entirely for its income from donations and members' subscriptions. If you would like details on joining the trust, please contact us for a membership application form. If you would like to make a donation to the Horseshoe Appeal, please send your cheque or postal order made payable to "RBST Equine Appeal" or telephone with details of your Visa or Mastercard account.

Your help could make a lot of difference