A European studbook has introduced plans to ban the registration of foals born by way of 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) is probably not registered with the affiliation’s studbook from 1 March 2025.

OPU includes 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 all over the world together with the UK, however is prohibited in Sweden.

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

“In line with the Swedish animal welfare act, operative intervention with out medical purpose, for instance OPU, shouldn’t be allowed, which in follow implies that Swedish mares have to journey to different international locations the place OPU is allowed,” he stated, including that foals born by way of 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 stated SWB has no “technical” manner 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 trade and we wish to help the Swedish values and rules concerning animal welfare,” he stated.

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 permit cloned horses.

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

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

“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 traces, however they may also be misused and abused. To forestall this we want full traceability and transparency,” she stated.

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

Dr Broomer added that the significance of genetic range also needs to be thought-about.

“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 manner,” she stated.

“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 traces.”

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

It was agreed throughout the board that ache management throughout ART procedures must be a significant focus – and that the breeding trade must give attention to the dearth of analysis round ART together with whether or not ache is assessed effectively sufficient, and whether or not fertility clinics must be licensed.

You may also be fascinated with:

Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the newest information and stories, 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 stories 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 only a few. 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 Citadel Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to house. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting staff for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.