THE ERISKAY PONY SOCIETY

Explaining Effective Population

by Eriskay Pony SocietyApril 6, 20241 Comment

Genetic diversity is an important component of biological diversity. Rare and native breeds of farm animals and equines are part of our cultural heritage often associated with the type of traditional land management that is required to conserve important habitats. The breeds themselves have genetic traits that will be of value in the future, and it is crucial that we do not lose them.

The genetic diversity of a breed is assessed by its effective population size which is based on the total number of animals in a population and the relative numbers of sires and dams. A low effective population size signifies a greater likelihood of inbreeding and subsequent loss of genetic diversity. For an equine breed to survive it is generally accepted that you need to have an effective population of 100 or more.

The Eriskay pony is the most critically endangered equine breed on the DEFRA lists with an effective population that has shrinking and now has reached critical level. The DEFRA figures show this decline over the years.

Perhaps a more positive way of looking at things is to consider the number of ponies in the potential breeding population. Our stud book records show that the total population is 408, of which 66 are over 30 years old. However, within these numbers are 33 ponies who have an unknown owner as the new keeper has not updated the passport as legally obliged to do.

Within this potential breeding population there are 95 mares who are 20 or under and 18 entire stallions.

In the last 5 years, just 20 Mares produced 29 foals using different 9 stallions. This is significantly less than was being produced in previous years and is an area of great concern. As part of the toolkit breeders use to inform breeding choices, Eriskay owners can access SPARKS which is a computer database that works with a genetic analysis programme called GENES to help breeders sustain and strengthen small populations. If used correctly, and appropriately, this will help maintain a healthy herd and slow down the loss of genetic material.

The Eriskay Pony Society has always encouraged owners to consider breeding and each year we forward the list of licenced stallions to mare owners and a list of mares to owners of licenced stallions. If every healthy youngster could produce 1 or 2 foals over a lifetime, this would go a long way to help in saving the breed and will restrict the loss of diversity.

Some stallions, owned by EPS or with the support of their owners, can be loaned allowing them to visit the mare and run with her at her home. In other cases, the mare can visit and run with him at the stallion’s home or at a breeding centre. For those mares living at livery, we may even be able to offer the possibility of a loaner taking the mare and foal through to weaning and deliver her back to her owner with or without plus one at foot.

Artificial Insemination and other types of assisted breeding are commonly used with many breeds and although it has been attempted with a small number of Eriskays, it has not yet resulted in a foal being born. The techniques for collecting and storing good viable semen is improving all the time and we very much hope that we will soon have a successful outcome. Would you like to be the first to succeed?

KEY POINTS.

The future of the Eriskay Pony is in your hands.
The situation is now critical.
Can you breed from your mare?
Help and support is available.
Have you updated the Registrar with any changes to the information on your pony’s passport.

By Lorna Holden. Registrar (registrar@eriskaypony.org)

EPS at the Royal Highland Show

by Eriskay Pony SocietyJuly 4, 2026Leave a comment

The Eriskay Pony Society was delighted to be part of the Horsescotland presentation at the Royal Highland Show taking part in panel discussions on the Sunday. EPS Chair, Nigel McWilliam spoke about the importance of responsible breeding and the need to make good genetic matches. He described how the Society’s use of the SPARKS programme, developed by Dr Andy Dell, has increased the Effective Population Size of the breed and helped slow down genetic drift.

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

by Eriskay Pony SocietyJanuary 16, 2026April 6, 2026Leave a comment

It has been decided to split the annual Performance Award for 2025 into two categories, one for ridden and the other for in-hand, to better reflect what members and their ponies get up to.

A number of people have ponies too young to ride, or their owners are no longer riding, but who would still like to get them out and about and enjoy in-hand work such as agility, Trec and showing. This has the additional benefit of getting the breed seen and better known.

The points system as stated on the website will be used but entrants should clearly indicate if the event was ridden or in-hand. If you do anything with your Eriskay, please put in an entry, even if the type of event is not on the list as points will be allocated.

As this is the first time the competition has been split into two separate categories, the closing date for entries has been extended until the 28^th of February and both trophies will be presented at the AGM in Auchterarder on 18^th April.

Return your entries on the form, which you can download from the website under Performance Award, by email to info@eriskaypony.org

Horsescotland

by Eriskay Pony SocietySeptember 23, 2025September 23, 20251 Comment

The Eriskay Pony Society is delighted to announce that they have recently joined horsescotland as a full member, becoming the first breed society to do so.

Horsescotland is the national organisation for all equestrian sports and activity in Scotland and has the vision of empowering Scotland to be a leading, inclusive nation for horse sports and activities. Its key outcomes for Scottish equestrianism are to increase the overall levels of participation and equestrian activity in Scotland, enable Scottish riders and equines to excel on the world stage and to support horsescotland member bodies to flourish by working collaboratively.

horsescotland is a partner of sportscotland (the national sports agency) and seeks to enable equestrian sport and the equestrian sector in Scotland to develop and excel through the highest levels of participation in the sport and the highest levels of growth for the country’s equestrian industry. horsescotland’s mission is clearly focused upon connecting the Scottish equestrian community, and collaborating with partner organisations and government, to enable people, horses and places to prosper.

Steve McMinn, Chair of the Eriskay Pony Society said ‘’We are delighted to have joined horsescotland and look forward to working with them to increase awareness and appreciation of the Eriskay pony with other equine enthusiasts. Whilst we have the support of many, including the Scottish Government, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and BHS Scotland, there are still some who refuse to recognise the Eriskay as a breed and allow it to compete in Native Mountain and Moorland classes, so the additional support from horsescotland is very welcome. horsescotland’s vision of increasing participation in equine activity fits well with our mission to get the Eriskay pony out there and better known, showcasing what an excellent working pony it can be in many disciplines such as dressage, driving, Trec or just hacking out.’’