Hoof Wall Separation Disease Record since 2015 to present
2015 Weatherbys Scientific (Ireland) confirm HWSD test relevant to Connemara ponies
2016 Testing of all pure bred foals via Weatherbys prior to registration. Result stamped on passport
2016 Tribute to Jocelyn Davies and Penny Huggons, who pioneered the study of HWSD, in An
Capaillin 2016
2016 Veterinarian Kate Murray MRCVS commissioned to prepare explanatory leaflet A4 4pp illus.
colour for Society. Posted on website late 2016, available to download and distributed to all
members of CPBS
2017 Press release to Irish Field, national weekly equine specialist newspaper, and veterinary press.
Article in Field on two occasions, advertisements re testing in press
2017 Spring. Regional seminars advertised in press and on website. Addressed by Kate
Murray MRCVS , organised by Southern Group and Leinster
2017 Colour brochure reproduced in An Capaillin
2017 Dublin Horse Show – Illustrated material and advice available at Dublin Horse Show
Stand in central location
2018 Testing of all colts brought for inspection, if not already tested
2018 Untested mares (born pre 2016) encouraged to avail of testing at Inspections onwards
2018 Advertisements in press, on website etc.
2018 Dublin Horse Show Illustrated material including substantial display material, leaflets and
advice available at CPBS Horse Show Stand in central location
2018 CPBS HWSD test results since 2016 published on Database (following GDPR Act 2018)
2018 Private tests accepted and published on database with owner’s consent (following GBPR 2018)
2018 All major marts circulated
2018 UCD Veterinary School contacted
2019 Additional information leaflet prepared for distribution and sent out with ALL post including
membership renewals
2019 Extensive CPBS advertising campaign in Irish Field, on website and Facebook. Two articles sent
to Irish Field – a feature on HWSD, and – Buyer Beware!
2019 Irish School of Farriery put HWSD on syllabus
2019 Paul Flynn of Weatherbys addressed Irish School of Farriery students
2019 Master Farriers’ Association discuss at AGM and distribute literature
2019 Dublin Horse Show Illustrated material including display material, leaflets and advice available
at CPBS Horse Show Stand in central location
2019 UCD Veterinary School contacted again
2019 From 2019 to present, letter to breeder of any Affected pony highlighting the severity of the
disease and breeding recommendations
2019 DAFM Funding secured under 2019 Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Schemes
offering a discounted rate to test older ponies
2019 HWSD statistics published in Christmas Newsletter
2020 Two Breeding Workshops, HWSD by Paul Flynn (Weatherbys) Maam Cross, 19 Jan, by Sarah
Quaid (Weatherbys) Athlone 26 Jan
2020 Stallion Parade must be tested to take part. However due to Covid parade didn’t happen
Online Stallion Event to take part must be tested
2020 Subsidised testing scheme continued, advertised in press on website, on Facebook etc
2020 HWSD and purchasing a pony in An Capaillin
2020 Full testing results from 2016 on published in An Capaillin
2020 Stallion Directory HWSD status must be declared for inclusion
2020 From 2020 all entrants for Clifden Show must be HWSD tested
2021 DAFM approved HWSD status stamped in three places on passport including the cover, breeding page and back page
NOTE: EU legislation no. 252/2016 and subsequent regulations apply to the breeding of Connemara ponies. The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society is the recognised custodian of the breed.