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A Michael Johnson or Michael Jordan is not 'bred' for, they are a
unique(random) co-mingling of genetic traits. The same is true for the
horse world. The bulk of horsekind is composed of essentially average
horses - some above, some below, but still within the bell curve.
Statistical genetics requires this. Once in a great while, certain
genes will combine to produce an "out-of-curve" individual - an
exceptional, nearly one-of-a-kind individual who performs at a level
beyond his/her peers.
That individual's ability to pass on that unique genetic structure is
limited again by statistical genetics, so that the bulk of the offspring
from the individual will have some of but not all of the superior
characteristics. I'd expect Michael Jordan's offspring to be tall, but
will they have 'hang time?' Will they be able to do a 5' vertical leap?
Anyone placing bets? Of course not.
Very few of us will ever own or ride a superior horse (like a
Secretariat). What we can do is seek out those individuals that are at
the upper end of the bell curve and maximize their potential via
training and conditioning. Yes, finding the horse at the upper end of
the bell curve can involve examining their pedigree, but the proof is in
the pudding, not in the recipe, so to speak...
Mike Sofen
Redmond, WA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: squabdog@juno.com [SMTP:squabdog@juno.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 1997 9:13 AM
> To: ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: Re: Endurance Bloodlines
>
> Hi
> I liked your post. I have believed as you stated for a long time. I
> think
> that pedigree is important. I also believe that you have to test the
> individual too. One can't just read a paedigree and sy he has a good
> horse. But if one studies enough horses and pedigrees he can sure
> norrow
> the search down quite a bit.
> Maybe the reason Bob's well bred endurance horses don't sell as well
> as
> the next guys show horses is because the show people have been
> promoting
> their horses alot longer. I think that a lot of people think that if
> so
> and so is getting $5000 stud fee maybe if I had something from his
> bloodline I could sell foals from it for a good price. It costs just
> as
> much to feed a cheap horse as an expensive one. therefore selling a
> foal
> for $5000 or $1500. which bloodline would you choose? I believe that
> as
> the sport of endurance riding grows we will begin to horses breed
> specifically for it. At that time more people will put more stock in
> pedigrees.
>
> I also believe that the breeding vs. conditioning debate will be
> debated
> as long as there is people doing both. What trainer wants to be
> thought
> of as less important than the breeder? After all it is he/she that
> gets
> the athlete ready for the test.
>
> marc
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