Breed officials are trying to stop evolution of Connemaras

Charles Darwin was a British scientist in the 19th century whose research led him to theorize that survival and reproduction were the prime motivations for all species. Unfortunately, lack of resources meant that some members of the species wouldn’t survive. Those best suited to their environment were more likely to do so and to reproduce, passing on the characteristics that helped them survive to their offspring. Gradually, the species would change over time as necessary.

According to Darwin, who is considered one of the most influential figures in human history, this evolutionary process is good.

According to the American Connemara Pony Society, it is bad.

The Connemara society has aggressively implemented breed inspections to prevent evolution in the Connemara breed.

The entire process is based on the false premise that the Connemara used to be one prototype coarse pony. Officials are failing horses considered too refined, because they want to stop and reverse the evolution of the breed to a more athletic, competitive animal.

Under the breed standards, horses must be short (14-2 or under), even though the world is growing taller. Horses must have thick jowls, even though there’s no scientific evidence that earlier horses had a thick jowl and breed officials have done zero research on whether this is healthy; likely, it’s not. Horses must have thick cannon bones, even though one oft-cited very detailed study of horse legs indicates that thick legs hinder horse movement, particularly in shorter horses.

To hell with natural selection and suitability for the environment. Connemaras must look like some fantasy that doesn’t square with historical facts.

What breed officials are producing is horses with no suitability to the 21st century, when beauty, speed, willingness and size all matter in creating a horse that people want.

In other words, they are killing the breed by making it something that people won’t want.

When you breed for coarseness with no consideration for temperament, athletic ability or intelligence, you may wind up with a herd of coarse, yes, but also dead-sided, rank horses that have no intention of doing anything other than eating and pooping. Even as lawn ornaments, they have little value. And who can afford lawn ornaments these days? Some might suggest that this did happen to one breeder.

At a time when resources are becoming really scarce for horses, when the stories about unwanted horses litter the Internet, one would expect Connemara officials to be evaluating how to make their breed more suitable for the coming decades, not less.