Native & Rare Breeds

The UK is fortunate to have a great many native farm breeds, which have arrived here at various times during our history, and have developed to suit our diverse localised environments and farming needs. As farming methods and our requirements have changed more commercial breeds have replaced many of our native ones causing some to become quite rare and even on the road to extinction. The Rare Breed Survival Trust keeps a vital gene bank and database as well as keeping an eye on how our native breeds are doing to highlight those of special concern Category 1 through to Category 6 least concern on their annual Watchlist.

Shy Suffolk — The Suffolk Horse, or Suffolk Punch as it is sometimes known, is the oldest breed of heavy horse in the UK dating back to Crisp's Horse of Ufford (Suffolk) in the 1700's. The only colour for Suffolks is chesnut (no "t") varying from dark through seven shades to light. Their stocky build and immense strength made them very popular draught horses across East Anglia. An increase in mechanisation caused their numbers to drop dramatically. New uses are trying to be found for this magnificent horse to secure the future of the breed which is presently Category 1 Critically Endangered on the RBST list.

For more information about Suffolk Horses, where to see them, or to donate to their work please contact the Suffolk Horse Society or to see Suffolk Horses in Suffolk you could visit The Suffolk Punch Trust.