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She said, "In my opinion, if the majority of the membership wants to >cross-breed, then we should change the rule." > >How would you feel about that today? Arthur and I were horrified, and >fought to retain this vital rule. > >Would you put that issue up for a vote in front of the whole membership? >Would that be wise? > If the majority vote doesn't count for anything, what is the point of having a voting membership? You say probably no point. If that is the case, why get so defensive when I say. Start your own club. Theoretically, out crossing is not something a lot of us want to see. It looks as if there may have already been a lot of outcrossing in the Fjord breed. Any registry which does not have DNA testing could add in any horse breed they wanted to. And it's downright naive to think that many have NOT done so. Not only with the Dole, but it would take A LOT of convincing to make many Fjord people think there hasn't been a good bit of Arab influence in the Fjord over the past few decades. People do and have added in horses when they wanted to to improve, or at least change type. People change type for lots of reasons, bigger draftier for more substance bone and power, or a lighter type for more fancy action, refined appearance and lastly but most importantly-- in no matter which registry does it--for market's sake. I think Lisa Pederson spoke of this in her last post. Okay so theoretically all NFHR DNA tested horses will be pure from now on. Right? Maybe. Any other registry which does not DNA test can still add in anything they want. And so therefore, any imported horses from these other registries can have any horse breed mixed in and we all just 'take their word for it.' In some ways it's a good thing. Mongrelization of breeds can def add some genetic diversity to strengthen the gene pool and keep the horse from being too inbred and suffering the consequences thereof. In some ways it's an annoying thing, such as throwbacks, horses that look and act like the mixed in breed instead of a Fjord-etc. Not only that, but say IF another breed blood was mixed in, and a number of breeders were to breed all horses that have this look, effectively the breed and breed standard could change. People try and change standards to suit the type they like to raise too. Some breeders like the more sport horse type of look, some the heavier draft type and some like the old style type of Fjord which is a short cobby but medium built and multi-purpose horse. All I am saying is that everyone has agendas. So therefore YES the entire body of the NFHR should be contacted and a vote tallied before any big changes are made. If the body is not educated enough about the pros and cons of the decision, then education with pros and cons should be sent out with the vote. Lastly--The Dutch Warmblood, though requiring licensing, is not a purebred horse, but a horse of many breeds and they are judged on Type, conformation and sporthorse suitability. This is not a good comparison for the purebred Fjord horse. Back to counting coup---Misha
