Events
Groups
Rider Directory
Market
RideCamp
Stuff
<< bobmorris@rmci.net (ROBERT J MORRIS) >>
Bob,
If both horses are put on the same excellent training program the horse
that has the most natural ability (genetic potential) will excell. I never
said that Hallany Mistanny didn't have the same number of decendants with Top
Ten finishes. I am not trying to convince you that one stallion is better
than another...If Hallany Mistanny had the same record as the get of Al Marah
Knight I certainly would be checking out that line also. But then there must
be something in his line (unless you only attribute it to the get being
ridden and trained & raced by only yourself or only on your program) that
make his get excel in endurance - so genetics is a factor.
A good training program will only take a particular horse closer to
it's highest potential. What I was pointing out was that if I start out with
a horse that is genetically superior and put him on an excellent training
program and if luck is with me (because every horse can hit that proverbial
"gopher hole") that horse will be a better horse than one that is not
genetically superior that is on the same program.
I am not disputing that you can take a killer horse (but of course how
many do you have to go through to find one that is great-not all killer
horses work out) and put him on an excellent feed and conditioning program
and put a good rider on him - he will excel. I am doing that right now with
my horse "Freebee". I have done my homework and it does pay off but I have
seen horses that have a certain breeding and are not conditioned as well, are
not fed as well - come through and do great! With proper conditioning they
would be incredible!
My point is - I really see the benefit of taking a "know content" and
putting all the effort, training and money into that horse than taking an
unknown and doing the same thing. Would I buy a horse with a certain
pedigree that had crooked legs - no. I wouldn't buy any horse with crooked
legs. But if I had a choice over two horses that were conformationally equal
and one had a pedigree that had produced good endurance horses I would always
buy the one with the good pedigree.
I only ask that you acknowlege that breeding/pedigree does have an
influence in endurance horses and that there are horses/lines that produce
excellent results in this sport. I never denied that there were other
factors that influenced how a horse would perform.
Events
Groups
Rider Directory
Market
RideCamp
Stuff