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<< Yes that is very true. Outcrossing is the way to go to strengthen the
species; it is called Hybred Vigor. A great breeding program, in my
opinion, consists of breeding animals who are line bred. Breeding two
line bred individuals (who are not related) will produce offspring that
are "stronger, taller, more vigorous" than the parents. Looking for a
champion performance prospect?, look for a horse whose parents come from
two different lines. Obviously there are exceptions, but that formula
will work for breeders who want to produce performance animals. >>
There is a REALLY INTERESTING commentary on the decline of the American TB
and the reasons for this, and what might be done to stop it, in the March
14th issue of The Chronicle of the Horse. Briefly, the editorial bemoans the
apparent "fragility" of the modern TB as compared with the kind of animal
this breed once was--it points out that this is because of a "cultural shift"
in American racing which has encouraged breeders to produce 2-year old
sprinters rather than the classic runners of old. He says it would help if
breeders would choose stallions for traits like stamina and soundness, but
economic considerations force most of them to go for horses which throw
sprinting types, to sooner recoup the owners $.
The modern TB is built more like a quarter horse, and another problem is the
reletively small gene pool--a true outcross is hardly available to TB
breeders. Yet what is badly needed in the breed right now--so the author
claims, is just that--a true outcross--
He suggests outcrossing TB to Arabians, to revitalize the breed--for as he
says, an Arab can gallop forever, and as to endurance--well, it's the name of
the game for this breed. It is a really interesting commentary.
The Chronicle's address is:
301 W. WASHINGTON ST.
PO BOX 46
MIDDLEBURG VA 20118
Trish & "pretty David"
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