The
Sugarbush Draft Horse Registry
Dedicated to Preserving one of the last American Draft Horse breeds
Foundation Registration
Due to the lack of genetic diversity in the Sugarbush Draft Horse Registry in 2008, the Registry began accepting horses who fit the ideal type, but may not have a registered Sugarbush Draft Horse parent. There horses are registered as Foundation Stock, and their registration number begins with the letter F.
This method of increasing the genetic diversity of a breed has been used countless times in history. One example, The Cleveland Bay Horse Society, registered horses who meet the description of a Yorkshire Coach Horse, and again allowed horses of this type to be registered in the 1920s because of the depletion of breeding stock due to the First World War.
Other attempts to revive breeds without opening the stud books to outside breeds have also been made. By repeated generations of linebreeding, the risk of recessive genetic disorders increases significantly. Many breeds who have used this method to revive their breed from the brink of extinction now list the coefficient of inbreeding as a standard feature in a horse's information.
After much debate on the "pros and cons" of each method, the SDHR made the decision to open the stud books, both for foundation registration, as well as cross breeding. It is our hope that this will allow the registry to increase the available genetic diversity with out a dramatic alteration of the phenotype of the breed. Once the minimum number of registered horses is achieved, the Sugarbush Draft Horse Registry plans to begin restricting breeding options, with the ultimate goal of closing the registration books.
All Horses registered as Foundation with the SDHR will under go a review by the Registrar and board of directors to judge them as suitable to represent the conformational type of the Sugarbush Draft Horse. The SDHR is dedicated to preserving the ideal horse created by Everett Smith.
This beautiful colt could one day offer the genetic diversity that will save the breed.
© 2010 Sugarbush Draft Horse Registry, all rights reserved. Website design by Spotted Horse Productions
This page was last updated: April 23, 2013
Completed:
Does my horse Qualify?
The lines drawn on this horse, SHC O Sweet Surprise, show some of the angles used to judge a horse's conformation.
Foundation horses are judged on an individual basis. The ideal horse will closely match the conformation standards for the breed. While the Sugarbush Draft Horse is known for it's appaloosa coloration, solid horses may be accepted as foundation horses. so long as the horse has more than 50% draft breeding, and can score 70% or better toward the SDHR ideal conformation.
No horse is perfect, but Foundation horses are accepted to improve the breed, so are held to a standard of quality. The SDHR is not a "round up" organization built to put registration papers on grade drafts. We are only accepting horses who exhibit the conformation of a draft horse built for riding.
We are pleased to announce that the Foundation Program closed on December 31, 2012. The SDHR accepted only enough horses to give the breed the genetic viability to continue. Out of over 1000 applicants less than 100 horses were accepted, and fewer still completed the registration process.
Every Foundation owner was given a detailed critique, and suggestions on how to breed their horse to achieve a foal that is closer to the SDHR breed standard. Our first foals from the Foundation horses have already started arriving, proving that with careful planning, these babies are wonderful additions to the breed.
Nazar, a Foundation Registered Sugarbush Draft Horse mare with the desired Sugarbush Draft conformation.
