First of all, I'd like to clarify my position on the term 'Backyard Breeder' or 'BYB'.
I think it sounds somewhat pious, as if someone with a small equine facility or limited financial holdings could never produce something decent. And that is simply not true.
However, I HAVE noticed that many people that have been accused of being 'BYB's are definitely guilty of irresponsible breeding practices.
They scoff at the well-worn cliche term 'Backyard Breeder', and rightly so. It's simply more fuel for them to think they are correct in their assumption that folks that don't like their horses are just 'snobs'... and that just simply isn't true.
So without further ado, I give you a list of excuses often given by Irresponsible Breeders in defense of their terrible breeding programs. Enjoy, and I hope it will help someone else out there identify the hallmarks of a 'BYB' ... aka Irresponsible Breeder.
Irresponsible Breeders List Of Excuses
1. When called out for bad breeding practices either in person or on an online forum, ALWAYS claim that you have been doing it for an extended period of time (generally over 5 years)/people love your horses/you breed 'quality'.
2. Point out that you know a lot of people who breed horses just like you do. (Do so as if this makes you morally justified.)
3. Claim that "snobby show breeders" are only criticizing you because they are snobs/are jealous/are just mean. No way could they actually know what they're talking about.
4. Claim that your horses go back to a famous ancestor. Never mind that the ancestor is in the 7th generation and the rest of the horses have all done nothing but reproduce like rabbits. Nevermind that they bear absolutely NO resemblance to aforementioned ancestor. Note, however, that they ARE a pretty color/foundation eligible/have flashy markings/have a surplus of hair/are shiny.
5. Claim that you are just trying to produce good 'family horses', therefore good 'family horses' are all you need for breeding.
6. When asked about HERDA, HYPP, OLWS or DSLD, enthusiastically point out that none of your horses show any outward signs of the disease and their parents/grandparents/siblings/aunts/uncles/cousins didn't either, so they don't require testing.
7. Point out that these tests cost too much and would cut into your profit margin/would make breeding impossible to afford. Be sure to champion the right of poor people to breed horses and the lack of 'registry interference'.
8. Confidently assure worried rescuers that no horse you produce, or any of their get or grand get or great-grandget will end up in rescues or on dinner plates or in dogfood bowls because you have a bunch of friends who have told you that they'd like a foal from your breeding program.
9. Point out that you don't need championships or working titles for your horses because you are breeding for temperament and your horses are really sweet.
10. Silence those annoying people who ask about your animals HERDA/HYPP/Fill-In-The-Blank health status by assuring them that buyers can return any afflicted foals and you will replace it with a breed-back for the mare/another foal of the same lineage.
11. If your breed or line is rare (or you have a "rare" color, or believe your breed or color is rare), be sure to remind everyone that you do not need to show or prove your breeding stock because you are doing the world a service by continuing this "rare" breed/color/line.
12. No matter what anyone else says, claim that you obviously know what you are doing because you've been breeding for a long time (see #1). Point to the hundreds of horses/foals you've pumped out/sold/traded/ridden over the years as proof.
13. If this is your first attempt at breeding, make sure to remind everyone that you HAVE to breed your mare because how else are you going to learn how to breed/experience foaling?
14. Assure everyone that your horse does not need to be shown because you were assured by someone at the feed store/a local show/Horsetopia/the vet's office/a friend that your horse is a perfect example of the breed.
15. Always remember that "rare" colors, oversized or undersized horses, and mixes of popular breeds are great selling points. Anyone who doesn't think so is obviously not in tune with their customers' wishes.
16. Claim that your horses are better because they are not inbred and are an 'outcross' to popular lines, as inbreeding obviously produces sick/stupid/deformed horse. If breeding cross-breeds, always point to "hybrid vigor" as proof of your horse's superiority.
17. Assure everyone that your foals will not end up in rescues or slaughter houses because they are cute and well-mannered.
18. Claim that YOUR breed never ends up in rescues or slaughter houses, therefore your foals will never end up in these places.
19. If asked why you think your horses are breeding quality, point out that they have great [sic] 'confirmation' and/or a pretty color and a notable ancestor. Extra points awarded for using the term 'Foundation'. Double Extra points if they are registered with the Blue Eyed Horse Association, American Grade Horse Registry, American Trail Horse Association or any color-only association. A crap-breeding Trifecta if that is their primary registration.
20. If you sell a lame or sick foal, always blame the new owners for making it lame or sick. If the owners are clearly not responsible, blame their vet.
21. If presented with irrefutable evidence proving you wrong on any excuses you have used, pretend your server did not receive the post/e-mail. Or, if you're a moderator on the forum, lock or remove the thread. Extra points if you ban the poster who proved you wrong.
22. If all else fails, tell everyone who criticizes you to "get a life." or to "stop being such a snob" or that you are successful breeders and know what you're doing.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Thursday, December 20, 2007
All I Want For Christmas Is...
For Santa to hire a vet to geld these horses.
Seriously.
Santa, if you're listening, I will forego all Christmas gifts and good cheer in lieu of setting the genetic record straight and disabling these horses from reproducing.
While this horse's pedigree might be passable (for a gelding), his conformation most assuredly is NOT. And yet... he's a stallion, advertised as having potential in 'breeding.'
http://agdirect.com/scripts/hrsdetl.exe?1196978514&0
Oh. My. God. His neck, his shoulder... his HYPP status. What in the HELL is wrong with you? Santa is definitely bringing you COAL, and he SHOULD be bringing you a CONSCIENCE and a GOOD BOOK ON EQUINE CONFORMATION.
http://agdirect.com/scripts/hrsdetl.exe?1196828850&0
What about this paint says 'stallion prospect'? His messed up hind leg and hip conformation or his "14.5" hand height?
http://agdirect.com/scripts/hrsdetl.exe?1192462588&0
Hollywood Dun It is rolling over in his grave.
http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1126188
Yes! This two year old ungelded, unregistered stallion with no withers will make a PERFECT Christmas present!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=129099
WHY? Unregistered stallion... just 'rode in the pasture'... but of course, he's trained to rear and 'kick out while rearing' on command. What a deal, and all for $1,000.00!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=128225
ANOTHER Unregistered stallion with horrendous front pasterns... only $200! Don't you wish there were 5 more of them, so you could have a 6 pack? I know the meat buyers do!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=127942
With the market the way it is, why do people keep breeding what does not sell? Why do people keep breeding what there is already too much of?
The question I want to pose to the folks that say it's the OWNERS and not the BREEDERS responsible for the way the market is now is as follows:
How do they propose we go about tracking horses for their entire life?
Once they are sold, they are sold... no going back. You can only do so much with keeping track of them after they're gone, and you can only do so much to insure that they will have a good home. No matter how hard you try, you WILL have some slip through the cracks.
If you think we can all track down every single horse that is sold 4-5-8-10 years down the line to whomever we sold them to, you are SERIOUSLY smoking crack.
You CAN'T predict other people's financial or personal problems that will arise in the future that will limit their horse endeavors. Duh.
You CAN'T predict if someone will get sideswiped by a big rig on the way home from work, and their horses will go to their relatives to settle their estate. Double Duh.
YOU CAN'T PREDICT THESE THINGS. Since we CAN'T predict these things, how on EARTH do we rationalize breeding tons more that are ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to keep track of for the rest of their lives, and then saying that it's THE BREEDERS RESPONSIBILITY to keep track of them?!
Morons.
This is why it is SO IMPORTANT to breed horses that stand on their own merits with conformation, pedigree and ability.
Seriously.
Santa, if you're listening, I will forego all Christmas gifts and good cheer in lieu of setting the genetic record straight and disabling these horses from reproducing.
While this horse's pedigree might be passable (for a gelding), his conformation most assuredly is NOT. And yet... he's a stallion, advertised as having potential in 'breeding.'
http://agdirect.com/scripts/hrsdetl.exe?1196978514&0
Oh. My. God. His neck, his shoulder... his HYPP status. What in the HELL is wrong with you? Santa is definitely bringing you COAL, and he SHOULD be bringing you a CONSCIENCE and a GOOD BOOK ON EQUINE CONFORMATION.
http://agdirect.com/scripts/hrsdetl.exe?1196828850&0
What about this paint says 'stallion prospect'? His messed up hind leg and hip conformation or his "14.5" hand height?
http://agdirect.com/scripts/hrsdetl.exe?1192462588&0
Hollywood Dun It is rolling over in his grave.
http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1126188
Yes! This two year old ungelded, unregistered stallion with no withers will make a PERFECT Christmas present!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=129099
WHY? Unregistered stallion... just 'rode in the pasture'... but of course, he's trained to rear and 'kick out while rearing' on command. What a deal, and all for $1,000.00!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=128225
ANOTHER Unregistered stallion with horrendous front pasterns... only $200! Don't you wish there were 5 more of them, so you could have a 6 pack? I know the meat buyers do!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=127942
With the market the way it is, why do people keep breeding what does not sell? Why do people keep breeding what there is already too much of?
The question I want to pose to the folks that say it's the OWNERS and not the BREEDERS responsible for the way the market is now is as follows:
How do they propose we go about tracking horses for their entire life?
Once they are sold, they are sold... no going back. You can only do so much with keeping track of them after they're gone, and you can only do so much to insure that they will have a good home. No matter how hard you try, you WILL have some slip through the cracks.
If you think we can all track down every single horse that is sold 4-5-8-10 years down the line to whomever we sold them to, you are SERIOUSLY smoking crack.
You CAN'T predict other people's financial or personal problems that will arise in the future that will limit their horse endeavors. Duh.
You CAN'T predict if someone will get sideswiped by a big rig on the way home from work, and their horses will go to their relatives to settle their estate. Double Duh.
YOU CAN'T PREDICT THESE THINGS. Since we CAN'T predict these things, how on EARTH do we rationalize breeding tons more that are ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to keep track of for the rest of their lives, and then saying that it's THE BREEDERS RESPONSIBILITY to keep track of them?!
Morons.
This is why it is SO IMPORTANT to breed horses that stand on their own merits with conformation, pedigree and ability.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Let us look at some conformational flaws 2... short necks.
While I've seen plenty of short-necked individuals perform okay, the MAJORITY of them weren't great. Keep in mind that, while it's not the END of the world in terms of soundness, it needs to be addressed because it affects a horse's ability to perform correctly and can affect a horse's balance in general.
Here's what Wikipedia says on the subject:
"The Neck
The ideal neck is about 1/3 horse’s length, measured from poll to withers, with a length comparable to the length of the legs.
Short Neck
A neck that is less than 1/3 the length of the horse
Short necks are common, and seen in any breed
A short neck is often quite flexible despite appearing thick and muscular, and the function and range is rarely altered. May be slightly less flexible at the poll, but the horse's maneuverability and agility is generally not affected. It does not shorten stride length, which has more to do with shoulder slope.
The horse may not excel at jumping high obstacles or galloping at high speeds, and may not be as handy at quick directional changes. "
Wikipedia also offers the following description for 'Bull Neck', which is essentially the same as a short neck, but is also overly thick.
"Bull Neck
The horse has a short, thick, and beefy neck with short upper curve. The attachment to its body is beneath the half-way point down the length of shoulder.
This trait is fairly common, especially in draft breeds, Quarter Horses, and Morgans.
It is generally more difficult to maintain balance if the rider is large and heavy or out of balance, which causes the horse to fall onto forehand. Without a rider, the horse is usually fine.
A bull neck is desirable for draft or carriage horses, so as to provide comfort for the neck collar. The muscles of the neck also generate pulling power.
The horse is best for non-speed sports."
The horses I've seen with short necks and/or bull necks were generally less balanced around a barrel or pulling a steer, and their shoulders suffered for it. But like I said, and Wikipedia confirmed, it isn't something that generally affects overall soundness. It's more performance-oriented.
So, let's look at some examples:
At least they didn't advertise her as a breeding animal...
http://tinyurl.com/2ce9lv
It doesn't matter how many pictures of her you post with her head up and stretched... she's still got a short neck.
http://tinyurl.com/ys6ags
Of course, he's 100% foundation... and I'm sorry, a $4,500.00 colt he is NOT.
http://tinyurl.com/24u966
Again... at least they're not breeding her.
http://tinyurl.com/264d4s
I've not been impressed at ALL by the Tupelo Gunsmoke line, and this foal is absolutely no exception. They all seem to have really strange necks.
http://tinyurl.com/2cala2
Here's what Wikipedia says on the subject:
"The Neck
The ideal neck is about 1/3 horse’s length, measured from poll to withers, with a length comparable to the length of the legs.
Short Neck
A neck that is less than 1/3 the length of the horse
Short necks are common, and seen in any breed
A short neck is often quite flexible despite appearing thick and muscular, and the function and range is rarely altered. May be slightly less flexible at the poll, but the horse's maneuverability and agility is generally not affected. It does not shorten stride length, which has more to do with shoulder slope.
The horse may not excel at jumping high obstacles or galloping at high speeds, and may not be as handy at quick directional changes. "
Wikipedia also offers the following description for 'Bull Neck', which is essentially the same as a short neck, but is also overly thick.
"Bull Neck
The horse has a short, thick, and beefy neck with short upper curve. The attachment to its body is beneath the half-way point down the length of shoulder.
This trait is fairly common, especially in draft breeds, Quarter Horses, and Morgans.
It is generally more difficult to maintain balance if the rider is large and heavy or out of balance, which causes the horse to fall onto forehand. Without a rider, the horse is usually fine.
A bull neck is desirable for draft or carriage horses, so as to provide comfort for the neck collar. The muscles of the neck also generate pulling power.
The horse is best for non-speed sports."
The horses I've seen with short necks and/or bull necks were generally less balanced around a barrel or pulling a steer, and their shoulders suffered for it. But like I said, and Wikipedia confirmed, it isn't something that generally affects overall soundness. It's more performance-oriented.
So, let's look at some examples:
At least they didn't advertise her as a breeding animal...
http://tinyurl.com/2ce9lv
It doesn't matter how many pictures of her you post with her head up and stretched... she's still got a short neck.
http://tinyurl.com/ys6ags
Of course, he's 100% foundation... and I'm sorry, a $4,500.00 colt he is NOT.
http://tinyurl.com/24u966
Again... at least they're not breeding her.
http://tinyurl.com/264d4s
I've not been impressed at ALL by the Tupelo Gunsmoke line, and this foal is absolutely no exception. They all seem to have really strange necks.
http://tinyurl.com/2cala2
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Let us look at some conformational faults...
I'd like to take this opportunity to mention some conformational faults in the stock horse.
For the thinking-impaired, I'll provide a few links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_conformation
http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/anatomy/conformation061597/
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/anatomy/conformationfaults110299a/
http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/anatomy/index.htm
These links also provide overviews about what faults lead to what performance/lameness issues.
The most commonly overlooked faults seem to be long backs, short necks and being too far out behind or standing too far under themselves.
Here are some horses that have overly-long backs.
http://tinyurl.com/2bg5l2
http://tinyurl.com/2co6mn
And this horse shows what can and does happen to horses with longer-than-desireable backs:
http://tinyurl.com/yr93zv
(taken verbatim from Wikipedia's Equine Conformation) "The horse's ability to engage [its] back depends on its ability to elevate the back and loins, requiring strong back and abdominal muscles. A long back is flexible, but harder for [the] horse to stiffen and straighten [its] spine to develop speed or coil loins to collect and engage the hindquarters to thrust rear limbs forward. This then affects upper level dressage, cutting, reining, barrel racing, and polo: sports that require rapid engagement of the hindquarters. Reduced flexion forces the horse to jump flatter with less bascule."
Next time, short necks.
For the thinking-impaired, I'll provide a few links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_conformation
http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/anatomy/conformation061597/
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/anatomy/conformationfaults110299a/
http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/anatomy/index.htm
These links also provide overviews about what faults lead to what performance/lameness issues.
The most commonly overlooked faults seem to be long backs, short necks and being too far out behind or standing too far under themselves.
Here are some horses that have overly-long backs.
http://tinyurl.com/2bg5l2
http://tinyurl.com/2co6mn
And this horse shows what can and does happen to horses with longer-than-desireable backs:
http://tinyurl.com/yr93zv
(taken verbatim from Wikipedia's Equine Conformation) "The horse's ability to engage [its] back depends on its ability to elevate the back and loins, requiring strong back and abdominal muscles. A long back is flexible, but harder for [the] horse to stiffen and straighten [its] spine to develop speed or coil loins to collect and engage the hindquarters to thrust rear limbs forward. This then affects upper level dressage, cutting, reining, barrel racing, and polo: sports that require rapid engagement of the hindquarters. Reduced flexion forces the horse to jump flatter with less bascule."
Next time, short necks.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Not to leave out stallion prospects...
First off, WHY would a breeder want more than one stallion?
Seems like stud fees are a lot cheaper than paying for hay, promoting the stallion and PROVING it (which is sadly what most of the breeders I'm talking about bypass first, when it SHOULD be the promoting...).
So without further ado, here are some horrific examples of what is being peddled off as 'stallion quality'...
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=113761
Just because a horse is both A.) male and B.) a double dilute does NOT make it a stallion prospect!!! Good LORD, that colt's sire (as seen on their Please visit our website for more foals link from the ad) has some CROOKED front legs, and has very little going for him... besides, of course, the qualities listed above. Which, now that I think about it, makes perfect sense... that's obviously their only criteria. Nuts and Color.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=107424
Again, homozygous black genes do NOT a stud prospect make... this colt's obviously pretty cow hocked, and at the odd picture angle, also appears to have a long back and crooked front legs as well.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=122697
Holy Freakin Long Pasterns! No pedigree and a strange-looking neck make this colt the ULTIMATE moron backyard breeder prospect. GELD HIM, I don't care HOW GOOD HE IS AROUND MARES... GEEEEEEEEZ!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=122280
This ad just speaks for itself... yikes.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=122286
I like how they say 'use him as a stallion prospect OR train him in cutting and reining.' Like you can't do both, because, y'know, that would void the code of the moron breeder: thou shalt not breed with proven animals.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=121619
Ew. This colt not only has ancestors that are KNOWN producers of the HERDA gene, but if you look closely, he looks to have very looooong pasterns. And what does "HE HAS BEEN PLAY SENCE BIRTH" mean?
No WONDER the market is in the toilet... if this is what is out there being bought as stallion material...
Seems like stud fees are a lot cheaper than paying for hay, promoting the stallion and PROVING it (which is sadly what most of the breeders I'm talking about bypass first, when it SHOULD be the promoting...).
So without further ado, here are some horrific examples of what is being peddled off as 'stallion quality'...
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=113761
Just because a horse is both A.) male and B.) a double dilute does NOT make it a stallion prospect!!! Good LORD, that colt's sire (as seen on their Please visit our website for more foals link from the ad) has some CROOKED front legs, and has very little going for him... besides, of course, the qualities listed above. Which, now that I think about it, makes perfect sense... that's obviously their only criteria. Nuts and Color.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=107424
Again, homozygous black genes do NOT a stud prospect make... this colt's obviously pretty cow hocked, and at the odd picture angle, also appears to have a long back and crooked front legs as well.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=122697
Holy Freakin Long Pasterns! No pedigree and a strange-looking neck make this colt the ULTIMATE moron backyard breeder prospect. GELD HIM, I don't care HOW GOOD HE IS AROUND MARES... GEEEEEEEEZ!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=122280
This ad just speaks for itself... yikes.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=122286
I like how they say 'use him as a stallion prospect OR train him in cutting and reining.' Like you can't do both, because, y'know, that would void the code of the moron breeder: thou shalt not breed with proven animals.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=121619
Ew. This colt not only has ancestors that are KNOWN producers of the HERDA gene, but if you look closely, he looks to have very looooong pasterns. And what does "HE HAS BEEN PLAY SENCE BIRTH" mean?
No WONDER the market is in the toilet... if this is what is out there being bought as stallion material...
Friday, October 19, 2007
Foundation Quarter Horses... a pet peeve of mine.
I LOVE the TRUE foundation quarter horse.
But the absolute CRAP that is being put out there as 'foundation' based SOLELY on a percentage of 'foundation' in a pedigree is absolutely APPALLING.
The rescues are full... not just of Quarter Horses, but of all breeds. Quarter Horses, Paints and Thoroughbreds seem to dominate, however.
I'd never have any part in a foundation registry, I find them repulsive. The majority of horses registered by them are ASTOUNDING in their mediocrity, and the fact that they are producing at rapidly climbing rates and filling our auction houses and rescues is frightening.
That, and they STILL won't come out and advocate for testing of Poco Bueno-bred horses for HERDA... which is absolutely the stupidest thing I've EVER HEARD - EVER. Talk about the big eye-opener... excluding horses with Impressive bloodlines (even the N/N ones... which goes to show how incredibly IGNORANT they are...), and then having your own beloved Poco Bueno become the primary source of a genetic condition... much like Impressive himself. Hysterical, and KARMA in the extreme if ever I've heard it.
Horses like Geronimo... why is he in a rescue? Because his owners ran out of food for their horses? Maybe because they COULDN'T SELL THEIR LONG-BACKED, CROOKED LEGGED HORSES, BUT KEPT BREEDING THEM ANYWAY!
http://www.t-bar.org/horseindexPg5.htm
A friend of mine, Susan Larkin, has been an outspoken and very educated advocate for the promotion of adding Thoroughbred blood in the Quarter Horse breed.
I thought I'd highlight a few foundation 'non-eligible' horses that are absolutely OUTSTANDING among their peers.
Rugged Lark
http://tinyurl.com/23v6kj
Talk about a stallion who has 'survived the fads' (which is supposedly the foundation breeders claim to fame...), he's incredible, his offspring are all very nice, and his blood in a pedigree is still highly valued.
Holland Ease
http://www.stallionesearch.com/show_stallion.asp?horse=198
A stallion I have long admired, he is a sire of sires as proven by his son, Corona Cartel.
And before you say that Quarter Horses with high amounts of thoroughbred blood are good for nothing besides racing and barrels, check out these guys:
A Streak Of Fling
http://www.fultonranch.com/fultonAStreakOfFling.htm
Skys Blue Boy
http://www.skysblueboy.com/skysblueboy.htm
Te N Te
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/te+n+te2
I'm not saying DON'T breed foundation quarter horses. I AM saying DO IT INTELLIGENTLY.
But the absolute CRAP that is being put out there as 'foundation' based SOLELY on a percentage of 'foundation' in a pedigree is absolutely APPALLING.
The rescues are full... not just of Quarter Horses, but of all breeds. Quarter Horses, Paints and Thoroughbreds seem to dominate, however.
I'd never have any part in a foundation registry, I find them repulsive. The majority of horses registered by them are ASTOUNDING in their mediocrity, and the fact that they are producing at rapidly climbing rates and filling our auction houses and rescues is frightening.
That, and they STILL won't come out and advocate for testing of Poco Bueno-bred horses for HERDA... which is absolutely the stupidest thing I've EVER HEARD - EVER. Talk about the big eye-opener... excluding horses with Impressive bloodlines (even the N/N ones... which goes to show how incredibly IGNORANT they are...), and then having your own beloved Poco Bueno become the primary source of a genetic condition... much like Impressive himself. Hysterical, and KARMA in the extreme if ever I've heard it.
Horses like Geronimo... why is he in a rescue? Because his owners ran out of food for their horses? Maybe because they COULDN'T SELL THEIR LONG-BACKED, CROOKED LEGGED HORSES, BUT KEPT BREEDING THEM ANYWAY!
http://www.t-bar.org/horseindexPg5.htm
A friend of mine, Susan Larkin, has been an outspoken and very educated advocate for the promotion of adding Thoroughbred blood in the Quarter Horse breed.
I thought I'd highlight a few foundation 'non-eligible' horses that are absolutely OUTSTANDING among their peers.
Rugged Lark
http://tinyurl.com/23v6kj
Talk about a stallion who has 'survived the fads' (which is supposedly the foundation breeders claim to fame...), he's incredible, his offspring are all very nice, and his blood in a pedigree is still highly valued.
Holland Ease
http://www.stallionesearch.com/show_stallion.asp?horse=198
A stallion I have long admired, he is a sire of sires as proven by his son, Corona Cartel.
And before you say that Quarter Horses with high amounts of thoroughbred blood are good for nothing besides racing and barrels, check out these guys:
A Streak Of Fling
http://www.fultonranch.com/fultonAStreakOfFling.htm
Skys Blue Boy
http://www.skysblueboy.com/skysblueboy.htm
Te N Te
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/te+n+te2
I'm not saying DON'T breed foundation quarter horses. I AM saying DO IT INTELLIGENTLY.
- Don't linebreed Poco Bueno anymore, unless the horses involved are tested for HERDA.
- Don't breed horses based solely on color and foundation percentage. All that does is create ugly, relatively unuseable but marketable-to-the-irresponsible-and-uneducated type of horses. And they in turn go on to produce more fugly-but-colored animals that people don't seem to have enough sense not to keep breeding.
- DO SOME DAMNED RESEARCH! AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN READING JUST READING A FEW 'NICE STORIES' IN THE AQHA LEGEND BOOKS - IT MEANS GETTING THE REAL STORY FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BREED RESPONSIBLY AND SUCCESSFULLY WITH THE BLOODLINES YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.
That's all. Is that too much to ask? Apparently so.
Check out www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org ... it's something we ALL should read and understand.
Monday, October 15, 2007
A word about broodmares...
WHY does everything with a uterus have to be advertised as a broodmare?!
I am a STRONG advocate for SPAYING MARES AS OFTEN AS STALLIONS GET GELDED!!!
That way, morons with no clue about conformation or pedigree wouldn't be tempted to breed animals that have NO BUSINESS adding to the gene pool.
Yay, crappy knees AND a back as long as a dachshunds! Weiner dog horses, hooray!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=120794
Wait a second... is that a llama? Or a sheep? Who cares, she's dunalino! *This has to be the ugliest mare I have seen in a LONG LONG TIME... CRIPES, she looks like a whats-what of conformational flaws!* AND SHE'S BRED!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=104546
Hey, y'know, they sell mustangs for buy-one-get-one-free sales for a $150 ALL THE TIME... so she should bring fifty bucks less than this.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=107385
"She has the conformation of foundation stock" ... which is crooked front legs, low pasterns, a short thick neck and a long back. SCORE!
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad246495
Yikes... those front legs! Among other things!
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad241847
Can we say 'Short neck, ties in too high'? JEEZ, I'd be afraid she'd whonk me in the face if she ever got to tossing her head! Oh, I forgot... most foundation folks don't even break their broodmares to ride. So I guess it won't be a problem as long as she keeps throwing dilutes.
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad231044
And the short-thick neck award goes to...
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad224837
This is just disgusting to me. The topline on this mare, it looks like the ridgeline of a barn. Her neck is absolutely heinous... yet... she sold for $2,500!! GOOD GAWD, was someone actually stupid enough to PAY THAT for her?!
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad242181
Alright... discuss. :)
I am a STRONG advocate for SPAYING MARES AS OFTEN AS STALLIONS GET GELDED!!!
That way, morons with no clue about conformation or pedigree wouldn't be tempted to breed animals that have NO BUSINESS adding to the gene pool.
Yay, crappy knees AND a back as long as a dachshunds! Weiner dog horses, hooray!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=120794
Wait a second... is that a llama? Or a sheep? Who cares, she's dunalino! *This has to be the ugliest mare I have seen in a LONG LONG TIME... CRIPES, she looks like a whats-what of conformational flaws!* AND SHE'S BRED!
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=104546
Hey, y'know, they sell mustangs for buy-one-get-one-free sales for a $150 ALL THE TIME... so she should bring fifty bucks less than this.
http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?id=107385
"She has the conformation of foundation stock" ... which is crooked front legs, low pasterns, a short thick neck and a long back. SCORE!
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad246495
Yikes... those front legs! Among other things!
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad241847
Can we say 'Short neck, ties in too high'? JEEZ, I'd be afraid she'd whonk me in the face if she ever got to tossing her head! Oh, I forgot... most foundation folks don't even break their broodmares to ride. So I guess it won't be a problem as long as she keeps throwing dilutes.
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad231044
And the short-thick neck award goes to...
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad224837
This is just disgusting to me. The topline on this mare, it looks like the ridgeline of a barn. Her neck is absolutely heinous... yet... she sold for $2,500!! GOOD GAWD, was someone actually stupid enough to PAY THAT for her?!
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad242181
Alright... discuss. :)
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