Rare-breed horse centre cuts back amid cost woes

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Getty Images Two horses are seen side by side. You can only see their faces and necks. They are sturdy, with short chestnut brown hair.Getty Images

Suffolk Punches have been bred at the centre for hundreds of years

A centre that has been dedicated to the breeding and welfare of rare horses for centuries said it would be cutting back its public facilities due to high costs.

The Suffolk Punch Trust has had a stud at Hollesley in the county, since 1759.

Suffolk Punch horses are Britain's oldest breed of heavy horse, classified as critically endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).

The trust said on Friday it was responding to the "harsh realities of the current economic climate" and while its "colony stud" would remain open, it had now made the decision to close its visitor centre, cafe and shop.

Announcing the news on Friday, the trust wrote: "Like many other charities and businesses having to respond to the harsh realities of the current economic climate,

"The Suffolk Punch Trust has decided to restructure it's operations to focus on the future development of the trust's Colony Stud.

"Suffolk Horses have been bred at The Colony Stud at Hollesley in Suffolk for over 265 years (since 1759), making us the longest-established stud dedicated to the breed."

The trust added: "Our forward-looking plans for The Colony Stud [will] build upon its successful track record, albeit in a slightly slimmed-down form, to ensure its future economic sustainability."


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