[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8081693]
I don’t think I’ve ever run into someone so against the TB
I’m sure everyone on here has an opinion on what works for them in their program.
It would be easier to respect some of your thoughtsbuf you werent continually bashing the TB. Why can’t you just state your opinion and be done with it instead of taking every opportunity to bash that breed?[/QUOTE]
Bayhawk did not say it in the most elegant way, but still, his point is much more complexe thant the simple TB bashing. Horse breeding is full of big egos, sometimes being able to overcome these egos is the only way to learn the subtile nuances in opinions under the arsh, in your face answers…
Wether you agree or not, he just pointed out in that specific horse some of the impacts we often see in thoroughbred offsprings, which is limited scope, canter and elasticity. Comparing that horse to the general standard set forth by the breeding association, wich would be the optimum showjumper for the high level sport, it would probably be a setback. I would tend to agree with him on that point. But as a stallion, he could probably bring some other attributes to his own offsprong like all the qualities we have always been looking for in the TB. Personnaly, I did not particularly found that specific horse extrordinary as a stallion, but it is my breeders opinion. The final decision comes to the breeder. When setting the standards, serious studbooks have only one objective, producing the very best sporthorse that could compete at the highest level. As a breeder, we must find our own objectives, and those objectives may be lower thant those. You remain free to take your decisions in consequence. Personnaly, I see breeding as a constant improvement of the horse on each aspect. Anything else to me is stagnation, or a decline. Why being satisfy of a kind safe amy horse, when you can try to breed a kind safe scopy amy horse that will easily win in the ring? Then again, it is only my point of view. Stdbook decisions are taken with the only objective in mind to breed the very best. When they approuve stallions or inspect mares, however, they do not always see them as direct sport horses producers, but sometimes they evaluate horses on the basis of specific traits that are needed in the breeding population. In my opinion, and in the opinion obviously of many other I have quoted above, TB may bring something into the population on a longer term. I like to find a good TB at the second or third generation in a mares pedigree, but over a very strong dameline. These mares would generally not be the best at the top sport as, I strongly believe and I think experienced has shown, they would not show the best of the specific qualities required in the sport (scope, canter, elasticity etc…). But in 10 or 15 years from now, their foals, and the generations following could benefit from the blood influx when the missing parts are brought back in the mix.
At this point again, there are two opinions that confronts, even at the higher levels. Is the influx of new TB blood is still needed, as seems to be the position of the Verband, or can we find that blood within the current population, without having to risk and sacrifice a generation of F1. Their is clearly less risk in using a good warmblood with proven bloodlines and production and/or results wich could bring the needed blood. As an example, we will be breeding this year to Mylord Carthago. Although still young, his production seems to show a lot of blood, and by breeding with him, you breed with Carthago on the top, and the exceptional Ifrane dameline on the bottom, throug Fragance de Chalus. The average breeder here and in europe breeds anywhere between 2 and 10 mares. With a smaller production, they may want to reduce the risk in their decision.
