This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 98-08-20 15:28:54 EDT, you write:
<< Don't we want "Stallion Presence" in the Fjordhorse? If we don't then we're sure a long way from the European standards. Requiring a specific performance test would go much further towards showing the true character of the stallion. What does everybody else think? Regards from Carol at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia >> First, let me say I loved your book. Will send you comments about what struck me most later. It was a good, basic book for beginners, and also was pretty informative to people such as myself, who have been around horses for many years, but are relatively new to the Fjord experience. Now, my opinion on Stallion Presence. Just an opinion, and it of course, only works for me. I DO appreciate Presence in a stallion, and have been around many stallions of many different breeds. But there is a difference between being completely unruly and having great presence and interest in mares. I chose between the stallion in question at the Eval. and another. The stallion at the Eval was misbehaving worse than any Arab, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Andalusian, etc. stallion that I have ever seen! Yes, he is a stallion, but no, I do NOT want to see that kind of attitude in any breed. Arabs and TB's are known to be, and almost expected to be hot. Fjords, as far as my knowledge go, are not, yet this stallion was truly frightening. I haven't ever seen a stallion go as ballistic as this one did. To the point that I was even worried about his handler. It wasn't just presence, in my eyes, but clear and present danger. I am very happy that I chose the other stallion to sire Juniper's baby. He too has stallion presence, and is very aware of mares, and very masculine. However, he is not a danger to those around him. And I thought that was what fjords were all about? Being able to do it all, and do it calmly. There were other beautiful stallions at the Eval, that had it all. Beauty, elegance AND a good attitude. I think one of them got a blue ribbon along with the stallion in question. Anyway, as I said, just my opinion, and I'm not sure I'm expressing myself as well as I could have. Still recuperating from foalwatch and a difficult birth, so I'm still not as coherent as I could be. Pamela
