H O M E


Le Baudet du Poitou

RARE BREEDS


There are several classifications for breeds of equids that are on the verge of becoming endangered, or ultimately extinct.  The difficulty with the 'critical' breeds is the lack of sufficient foundation stock.  In this case, out-crossing is used, and over several generations the hybrids return to the true type.   

  • Critical: Fewer than 200 annual North American registrations and estimated fewer than 2000 global population.

  • Rare: Fewer than 1000 annual North American registrations and estimated fewer than 5000 global population.

  • Watch: Fewer than 2500 annual North American registrations and estimated fewer than 10,000 global population. Also included are breeds with genetic or numerical concerns or have a limited geographic distribution.

  • Study: Breeds of genetic interest but either lack definition or lack genetic or historic documentation.

  • Recovering: Breeds which were once listed in one of the other categories and have exceeded Watch category numbers but are still in need of monitoring.

  1. The breed is a true genetic breed (when mated together, it reproduces the breed type).

  2. The breed has had an established and continuously breeding population in North America since 1925. Or, if imported since 1925,

  • The foundation stock is no longer available.

  • Must be below global guidelines for inclusion (see #2).

  • Must have at least three breeding lines in North America.

  • Must have at least twenty breeding females in North America.

  • Must have at least five breeders in different locations in North America.

  • Must have an association of breeders in North America.

  • Must be contributing to the breed’s survival internationally. In general this means that the North American population is reciprocal to other international populations or is an important and numerous population when compared to that in other countries, or the non-North American populations of the breed are at risk geographically or politically.

Breeds not meeting all these criteria may be monitored within the “Study” category.

Read about The Rocky Mountain Horse - Considered 'Rare'

Read about Le Baudet du Poitou - Considered 'Critical'

Read about the Fell Pony - Considered 'Rare'

Source:  American Livestock Breeds Conservancy