Studbook takes ‘moral stance’ as registration of foals bred through sure reproductive strategies to be banned

A European studbook has introduced plans to ban the registration of foals born through sure trendy breeding strategies, primarily based on welfare grounds.

The Swedish Warmblood Affiliation (SWB) introduced that offspring produced by intra cytoplasmic injection (ICSI) and ovum pick-up (OPU) might not be registered with the affiliation’s studbook from 1 March 2025.

OPU entails assortment of oocytes from a mare’s ovarian follicles, carried out beneath sedation. ICSI is the lab-based course of whereby a single sperm is injected into the matured oocyte, which is incubated to encourage an embryo to develop, then transferred right into a recipient mare. OPU is carried out in international locations world wide together with the UK, however is prohibited in Sweden.

Per Jansson, chairman of the SWB board, instructed H&H the choice was the end result of a “full evaluation and analysis” of the studbook enterprise – and that the affiliation has reviewed its equine welfare regulatory framework yearly since 2020.

“In accordance with the Swedish animal welfare act, operative intervention with out medical motive, for instance OPU, is just not allowed, which in apply implies that Swedish mares must journey to different international locations the place OPU is allowed,” he mentioned, including that foals born through embryo switch can nonetheless register with the studbook as this process “requires no operative intervention and isn’t painful for the mares concerned”.

Mr Jansson mentioned SWB has no “technical” approach to make sure breeders are complying with the rule, however the affiliation would require written affirmation when a foal is registered.

“Horse welfare at all times weighs extra closely for SWA than purely business pursuits. We need to emphasise how vital we take into account the moral stance is within the breeding business and we want to help the Swedish values and rules concerning animal welfare,” he mentioned.

World Breeding Federation (WBF) vice chairman Eva-Maria Broomer instructed H&H it’s “not unusual” for a studbook to set a precedent; for instance some studbooks don’t enable cloned horses.

“With these types of issues it turns into troublesome when one studbook comes to a decision and others haven’t adopted go well with, as a result of individuals will simply do it anyway and register elsewhere,” she mentioned.

Dr Broomer mentioned ICSI “raises a variety of questions and challenges”, and that the WBF is “monitoring the scenario fastidiously” and gathering information.

“These strategies can be utilized as a power for good, for instance in turning into an vital software in permitting us to protect and strengthen vital breeding strains, however they will also be misused and abused. To stop this we want full traceability and transparency,” she mentioned.

“That is additionally vital for patrons who ought to know if they’re buying an ICSI foal or horse. Points that aren’t but absolutely understood embody if there are long-term impacts on equine well being or any discernible well being variations between ICSI foals and people who had been produced the standard approach.”

Dr Broomer added that the significance of genetic variety must also be thought of.

“Right here, once more, ICSI is usually a power for good by allowing us to make use of horses for breeding that might not have been in a position to produce offspring within the typical approach,” she mentioned.

“Alternatively, it may change into a limiting issue if it results in using fewer mare-lines by permitting extra foals to be produced from a smaller variety of strains.”

Equine-assisted reproductive strategies (ART) have come beneath rising dialogue, and had been the main focus of a debate on the British Equine Veterinary Affiliation congress in September the place business specialists mentioned “How far is just too far?” (information, 24 October 2023).

It was agreed throughout the board that ache management throughout ART procedures must be a serious focus – and that the breeding business must deal with the shortage of analysis round ART together with whether or not ache is assessed properly sufficient, and whether or not fertility clinics needs to be licensed.

You may also be occupied with:

Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the most recent information and experiences, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and experiences in addition to different advantages.

H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has coated a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and street security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed prime riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call just some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fort Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to dwelling. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting crew for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.