Purpose
The Desert Arabian Reproduction and Research Effort (DARE) seeks to assure the conservation of quality breeding stock in the herd of Desert Arabian horses as recognized by the Institute for the Desert Arabian Horse through:
- Donations of qualified horses — mares and stallions — to the Institute
- Placement of breeding stock — mares and stallions — for extended care (lease) with serious breeders in the continental United States and Canada;
- Sustained mentoring of participant breeders.
- Development and Maintenance of a semen bank for distinguished breeding stallions; and
- Monitored data-collection on mares and stallions participating in the program.
Organizational Structure
The program incorporates three levels of collaborative volunteer effort:
1. The Institute for the Desert Arabian Horse
The Institute for the Desert Arabian Horse is dedicated to protecting and conserving the cultural legacy and genetic integrity of the Bedouin-bred Arabian horse through historical and scientific research, education, standard performance evaluations, international collaboration and conservation projects.
The Institute undertakes research to reveal lapses in historic data; to identify materials, documents, photographs and artifacts worthy of conservation; to identify threatened and endangered genetic lines; to evaluate the continued use of the desert Arabian horse to improve other light breeds of horse; and to investigate, verify and expand, through modern scientific means, the quantity and the veracity of traditional historic data.
The Institute intends to develop an Archives Library for the conservation of materials, photographs, documents, artifacts and genetic material conducive to its purposes.
Education is a primary function of the Institute and will be focused to enlighten the general public, as well as the horse-breeding community, regarding the historic and contemporary value of the desert Arabian horse. Toward that end, the Institute proposes develop an International Herd Book (Census/Roster) of Arabian horses of primary interest to the Institute. Educational materials, publications and projects will be designed to educate and inform all segments of the community, and the Institute intends to maintain a physical presence at major horse events internationally to meet its education mission.
The Institute will collaborate with historians, researchers, educators, and breeders in North America and internationally who share common interest in the legacy and future of the Desert Arabian horse.
The Business Office of the Institute provides financial services to DARE in accordance with the Financial Policies of the Institute. The Development Committee of the Institute coordinates donations to DARE within the Institute’s program of Planned and Memorial Giving.
2. DARE Steering Committee
The Steering Committee for DARE provides direction for and oversight of the program. It comprises five (5) persons broadly representative of successful breeders of Arabian horses, appointed by the Steering Committee itself on staggered terms. One member of the Steering Committee, identified by the Committee, shall sit as a voting Director on the Board of Directors of the Institute for the Desert Arabian Horse.
3. DARE Program Management Teams
Teams of volunteers are assigned responsibility for key components of the program, including but not limited to:
Mare/Stallion Component
Donor/Prospect Identification and Review
Placement Prospect Identification, Review, and Support
Mentoring
Data Collection and Analysis
Arabian Equine Genetic Inventory System (AEGIS)
Frozen Semen Archive
Distribution
Data Collection and Analysis
In general, a member of the Steering Committee will be liaison to each of the Management Teams.
Program Components
Mare and Stallion
1. Donor Identification and Review
DARE is primarily concerned to maintain genetic diversity within the breeding herd of Desert Arabian horses. While DARE may consider any horse that qualifies as a “Desert Arabian,” the program actively joins the Institute in surveying the breeding herd, identifying strains, breeding groups and individual horses that call for priority attention. It maintains active liaison with owners, providing information on donor options available through DARE and the Institute for the Desert Arabian Horse.
2. Placement Prospect Identification, Review and Support
A key element in any conservation effort with donated breeding stock is the identification of appropriate placements. DARE invites inquiries from potential placements, solicits participants in its programs, and reviews the qualifications of potential placement farms.
3. Mentoring
DARE understands the need of many breeders for advice and support in planning and executing a breeding program that maintains the genetic strength of the herd. To that end, it implements a voluntary mentoring program for persons with whom horses have been placed. It also attempts to create positive working relationships with all participating breeders.
4. Data Collection and Analysis
DARE monitors and records data on the horses and breeders participating in the program. Information gathered by DARE is incorporated in the ongoing herd-census data gathered by the Institute for the Desert Arabian Horse.
Arabian Equine Genetic Inventory System (AEGIS)
1. Frozen Semen Archive
At the present time, DARE can accept for its genetic archive only frozen semen that will be maintained by the owner. Procedures for donation and maintenance guide the archival process.
2. Distribution
All distributive rights, whether for research or for breeding purposes, will be according to established policies and procedures.
3. Data Collection and Analysis
DARE monitors and records data on the stallions and breeders participating in the program. Information gathered by DARE is incorporated in the ongoing herd-census data gathered by the Institute for the Desert Arabian Horse.
More Information
If you are interested in participating, by donating a horse or as a lessee/breeder in DARE, or by donating semen for AEGIS, please contact . All donations are acknowledged in accordance with IRS rules.