PRIVATE HORSE BREEDING – BREEDING OF THE HORSES IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP IN 2020

     In the breeding season 2020, the National Stud Farm "Topoľčianky" registered as the manager of traditional horse breeds shagya-arab, Hucul horse, Lipizzaner and Arabian thoroughbred, at the request of the owners of mares 32 born foals (Table 1). Of this:

(a)   6 Shagya Arabian foals

(b)   19 Arabian thoroughbred foals

(c)   1 Lipizzaner foal

(d)   6 foals of the Hucul horse breed

         The number of registered foals in 2020 decreased significantly compared to 2019. In 2019, 78 foals were registered. The number of newly registered breeding mares recorded a slight increase compared to 2019.

         24 horses were imported to Slovakia:

               - 15 Arabian thoroughbred horses  

               - 4 horses of the Hucul horse breed

               - 1 Lipizzaner horse  

               - 2 Shagya-arabian horses

               - 2 Arabian horses

Tab. 1:

Numbers of registered foals by a breed in individual years

Tab. 2: Numbers of breeding mares registered in stud books in the private sector

Tab. 3: Numbers of imported Arabian thoroughbred horses in 2016 – 2020

Tab.4: Newly registered horses of gene resources in studbooks in 2020

PERFORMANCE TESTS ON HORSES

        We must continue to state that the performance tests of mares are largely absent in private breeding. Due to the pandemic situation, tests of stallions owned by private breeders were not performed.

        Mares in private breeding were classified only on the basis of type, exterior and mechanics of movement. In 2020, we recorded an increase in the number of newly registered breeding mares in studbooks (21 mares).

       On 2.7. 2020, tests of the performance of horses from genetic resources were held at the National Stud Farm. 8 stallions successfully passed the tests. The autumn performance tests took place on November 5, 2020 and were successfully passed by 5 horses, 2 mares and 3 stallions owned by the National Stud Farm.

        In connection with the support of horse breeding through the "Rural Development Plan", breeders of traditional breeds asked the National Stud Farm to issue a certificate of registration of horses in the PK on the basis of meeting the requirements of the valid statutes of PK for individual breeds. The National Stud Farm "Topoľčianky", a state-owned company, complied with all requests and in 2020 73 certificates were issued for breeders involved in the project.

        In 2020, the Studbook Office confirmed 67 changes of owners, issued 88 certificates of the origin of horses, issued 89 passports and, together with the Chairman of the Selection Committee, confirmed the selection for breeding by 36 breeding stallions in private breeding.

        As of 31 December 2020, the Studbook Office registered in its database 764 breeders and owners of horses and 2502 actively living horses from the breeds whose studbooks it maintains (Table 5).

Tab. 5: Numbers of registered horses, breeders - breeds and acts of the National Stud

BREEDING STALLIONS

            In 2020, there were 36 breeding stallions licenced and included in breeding:

1. 12 shagya-arab breeding stallions
2. 16 arab thoroughbred breeding stallions
3. 2 Lipizzaner breeding stallions
4. 6 Hucul breeding stallions

       The situation in the number of breeding stallions in individual breeds is still favourable in terms of quality, age structure, geographical distribution of stallions and their tribal, respectively line representation. The number of stallions included in the 2020 season remained at the level of the previous year 2019 (35 breeding stallions).

         In conclusion, it can be stated that the interest of breeders in traditional breeds and gene reserves is stable. The level of breeding material is balanced. The percentage of mares admitted from the breeding population continues to be affected by the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, which is reflected in particular in the sale of horses. The goal of breeders remains the production of quality and healthy breeding, sports, respectively recreational and "hobby" horses for everyday use, development of agrotourism, development of tourism in the region and building a positive attitude of young people to nature.