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> Anyone who made the statement about poor conformation must not know
horses.

Strange, the comments about poor conformation as a general rule in mustangs
have been coming from very knowledgeable and very qualified horsemen from
many areas and from many disciplines for years.  Please see my comments with
regard to the addition of "selective breeding" in specific herds--these
herds tend to be the exceptions, and when one looks honestly at the history
of the herds where quality individuals have been found, one can generally
find the hand of a pretty savvy rancher or ranchers who have carefully
managed the breeding of that herd until just a few generations ago.  That is
why one sees small pockets of pretty decent ones here and there.  To even
consider the BLM mustang as a consistent entity or a breed is to be lacking
in knowledge of the actual history behind them.  My hat is off to those who
have gotten quality individuals and who have made something of them--the
general state of the group does not denigrate their efforts nor is it a
reflection on the quality of a few.  But to point to those exceptions and
exclaim that those prove the quality of the group is indeed a statement with
little regard for knowledge of horses.

> All horses no matter what breed can have poor conformation.  I can think
of
> several faults caused from inbreeding certain breeds.  Sue
I have to laugh at this one.  Inbreeding does not "cause" faults.  Faults
are simply there.  Inbreeding may enhance faults, and it can also enhance
strengths.  Being honest about the conformation of mustangs does not
insinuate in any way that ALL horses bred in domesticity are of quality.
The reality is that in a few specific groups, there is still evidence of the
introduction and maintenance of quality horses.  But most groups grew out of
the throwing away of unwanted horses--many of whom were poorly conformed to
begin with.  "Mustangs" are no different from feral housecats in the inner
city.  They are for the most part descended from horses that people threw
away, with the above-noted exceptions.  When one starts with faulty
individuals and THEN inbreeds...

Heidi


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