Conservation of genetic resources of the hucul breed of horses as an element of the protection of natural resources

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the programme for the conservation of genetic resources of the Hucul breed of horses as an element of environmental resources. The study covered the population maintained in the Podkarpackie voivodeship. The share of Hucul mares representing female families in the Programme for the Protection of Genetic Resources of Farm Animals indicates the domination of three families, i.e., Polanka, Wydra, and Wołga. However, in the case of male families, an alarming phenomenon of lack of qualification for stallions was found, sires of individuals from the Polan and Prislop families, which in a longer time profile may result in a decrease in genetic variability. The protection of the genetic resources of Hucul horses is an important element of actions to preserve biodiversity, including retardation in the consumption of natural resources.