The Need to Network

In the previous post we discussed the importance of breeding horses from the Shackleford herd to those of the Corolla herd. In 2011 we have to tap a resource that has not been exploited to date. There are a handful of Corollas and Shacklefords that have been adopted out over the years. While I fear that there are few intact stallions remaining in this population there certainly are adult mares that could contribute to the offsite breeding program. We need to locate these horse owners and advise them of the opportunity to help the horses by producing a foal.

Keeping track of those foals will be possible because of a farsighted decision of the Horse of the Americas Registry. After a thorough inspection of the wild herds and a review of the history, genetic studies, conformation and skeletal finds these historic horses were recognized as authentically Spanish Colonial and allowed for their registration in the HOA.

The staff of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and the volunteers of the Fund for the Shackleford Horses are already over worked and I cannot expect them to take on this additional project. For that reason, we will be working on a year long effort to track down the horses that have been adopted out and let their owners know that there are stallions available to breed their mares at no cost and, most importantly we will be letting them know why the effort to produce off spring is so important.

Pictured above is Mokete, the first foal produced in the Corolla offsite breeding program.