Breeding horses in private ownership in 2024

In the breeding season 2024  wrote The National Stud Farm “Topoľčianky” š.p. wrote to the breeding books, such as a gestor of traditional breeds of Shagya-Arabian horses, a Hucul horses, Lipican and Arabian thoroughbred, 54 born foals (Table 1). Of it:

16 Shagya-Arabian foals

19 Arabian thoroughbred foals

10 foals of lipican horses

9   foals of the Hucul horse

Number of registered foals in 2024 were stabilized compared to 2023.

Table: 1

Numbers of registered foals according to breeds in individual years

Table: 2

Number of breeding mares entered in the breeding books in the private sector in the years 2022-2024

Table: 3

Number of imported Arabian thoroughbred horses in the years 2020 - 2024

Table: 4

Newly registered horses of gene resources in studbooks in 2024

We must state that in the private breeding, there are largely no performance tests for mares. The mares in the private breeding were classified based on the evaluation of type, exterior and movement mechanics. In 2024, 24 breeding mares were entered in the breeding stud books (Table 4).

On June 6, 2024, performance tests and pre-selection of stallions were held at the National Stud Farm. 2 Hucu mares, 3 Lipizzaner mares and 3 Shagya-Arabian mares owned by the National Stud Farm passed the performance tests. 2 stallions owned by the National Stud Farm (Lipizzaner and Hucul horse), one Shagya-Arabian stallion, one stallion of the Arabian Thoroughbred breed (both owned by private breeders) participated in the pre-selection.

On October 24, 2024, performance tests and pre-selection of stallions were held at the National Stud Farm. The performance tests were completed by 2 Lipizzaner stallions, 2 stallions of the Hucul horse owned by the Topoľčianky Stud Farm, one Shagya-Arabian stallion and one stallion of the Arabian Thoroughbred owned by private owners. The pre-selection was attended by 2 Shagya-Arabian stallions (both owned by private owners).

In connection with the support of horse breeding through the "Rural Development Plan", breeders of traditional breeds requested the National Stud Farm to issue a certificate of registration of horses in the PK. The National Stud Farm "Topoľčianky", a state-owned company, complied with all requests and in 2024 73 certificates were issued for breeders involved in the project.

In 2024, the Stud Book Office confirmed 56 changes of owners, issued 126 certificates of origin of horses, issued 112 passports, 25 zootechnical certificates and, together with the chairman of the Selection Commission, confirmed the selection for breeding of 33 stallions in the private breeding. As of December 31, 2023, the Stud Book Office registered 968 horse breeders and owners and 2 916 actively living horses.

Table: 5

Number of registered horses and breeders - of the National Stud Farm “Topoľčianky“ š.p. in 2024 (as of 31.12.2024)

 Breeding stallions

In 2024, 33 breeding stallions were licensed and registered in the private breeding, of which:  

8   Shagya-Arabian stallions

18 Arabian thoroughbred stallions

2   Lipizzan stallions

5   Hucul horse stallions

The situation in the number of breeding stallions in private breeds is still favorable in terms of quality, age structure, geographical distribution of stallions and their line representation. The number of registered stallions in the 2024 season is stabilized.

In conclusion, it can be stated that the interest of breeders in traditional breeds and gene reserves is the same. The level of breeding material is balanced. The goal of breeders remains the production of high-quality and healthy breeding, sports, or recreational and "hobby" horses for everyday use, the development of agrotourism, the development of regional tourism and the building of a positive ralationship between young people towards nature.