Can You Breed a Perfect Foal?
An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article
If every owner had the key to unlocking the formula for breeding the perfect foal, then there would be no competition, no challenge, and no appreciation for the art and science of breeding. If breeding was this easy and we were all able to breed the exact foal to suit our needs on the first try we would be bending the laws of nature and taking away from the excitement of discovering the unknown. We may not be able to breed the perfect foal every time, but though trial, error, skill and a little luck it is possible to find the right combination to suit our needs.
The first thing you need to consider when attempting to breed your idea foal is whether or not your desires are reasonable or even possible. The second consideration is whether or not you are willing to accept the foal no matter how successful your attempts. There is no exact science for breeding a racehorse, for example, so being ready to accept the foal whether or not it meets your every desire is critical.
When considering breeding it is important to understand that in addition to both horses bringing positive traits into the formula, they will also bring unfavorable traits. Even if a horse looks and behaves perfectly, this does not mean that flaws within their genetics do not exist, and may be passed to the foal. For this reason becoming familiar with the mare and stallion’s breeding history would be beneficial. Even if this is possible, the science of genetics is so complex that it is nearly impossible to predict the exact outcome.
There are some very legitimate reasons for wanting to breed a certain kind of horse, though breeding for type seems to be the most common. Other reasons may include pedigree, blood and overall appearance. The different categories of horses that exist can make it very difficult for the novice breeder to determine exactly what type of horse to breed. Determining the type of horse you want to breed first may make it easier to narrow down the breed or breed combination to suit your needs.
Breeding for Type
If you decide to breed by type it is important to become familiar with the different characteristics of that type prior to searching out a suitable mare or stallion. Just like you wouldn’t purchase a Volkswagen Beetle to tow a trailer, you wouldn’t want to breed a draft horse for racing. You will save yourself a significant amount of time, energy and money by taking the time to research the type you choose before breeding.
Some of the different types of horses that exist include hunter, cob, show jumper, polo pony and racehorse. If you are interested in breeding a hunter, for example, you will be looking for a horse who is intelligent, well mannered and has a great deal of stamina to carry its owner for long periods of time through rough terrain. Breeding this type of horse would be different than breeding a racehorse, which is known for its speed, stamina and agility, or a show jumper that possess bold power and can turn corners or jump obstacles with little warning.
Breeding for Pedigree
Rather than breeding by type, you may choose to maintain the purity of the breed. This is where pedigree may become a factor. If you are interested in breeding for pedigree than you will want to make sure the potential mare or stallion is legitimate. The owner should be able to provide you with documentation verifying the pedigree of the horse.
Breeding for Blood
Horses can also be categorized by blood. Despite the possible misconceptions, the terms hot, cold and warm blooded do not reflect temperature of the horse’s blood, but rather the temperament, region and origin of the breed. If you have ever heard the term “hot blooded” referring to someone who has a fiery temperament, then you can understand the basic characteristics of a hot-blooded horse. A cold-blooded horse usually has a calm temperament, while a warm-blooded horse (the cross between hot and cold through breeding) tends to be fairly even tempered.
Breeding for Appearance
Believe it or not it is sometimes easier to breed for size or appearance than for type or temperament. There is no concise formula for breeding a horse with a certain appearance, but it is possible. It is always a good idea to try and dig up the breeding history of both mare and stallion before setting your heart appearance. The history may provide you with critical information that can help you make responsible decisions when breeding.
Breeding the perfect foal requires dedication and consideration. Respect must be given to the complexity of genetics. No matter how perfect a mare and stallion may appear it is always possible for unfavorable traits to be passed on to the foal. Because of this it may not be possible to breed the exact horse you desire. Some breeders spend a lifetime trying to breed the perfect foal. It is possible, however, to find a combination of mare and stallion that will fit your needs. By keeping your expectations realistic, and understanding the unpredictability of breeding, then you will have taken the first step to breeding what you would consider to be the perfect foal.
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