This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire)
Hello Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia -
Re this discussion, I want to list the important points, as I see them.
#1 - That having these reports done by a vet and on file with the NFHR is a
small, but positive step in maintaining quality in the breed.
#2 - Someone suggested that since the average American Fjord stallion only
breeds 1.5 mares a year, mares should be included. I agree. Foals can
inherit misaligned teeth from the dam as well.
#3 - This is not a "licensing to breed" plan. ---- No horses are going to
be prohibited from breeding.
#4 - Requiring that this information be on file at NFHR will be a SERVICE
TO BREEDERS & BUYERS. -- While it won't prevent anyone
from breeding parrot mouthed horses, it will discourage the
practice.
#5 - The NFHR requires all kinds of reports to be on file; such as
TRANSFER REPORTS, STALLION BREEDING REPORTS, DNA TEST REPORTS. This is no
different. Just one more way to control quality in the breed.
#6 - This has nothing to do with registering horses. It's not a
requirement for registration.
# 7- Mares and stallions should be vet checked for teeth and testicles
before they begin breeding, say at age two.
#8 - This report would have to be on file with the NFHR before any
offspring from the mare or stallion could be registered. NOTE: I'm not
saying any horse can be prevented from breeding by the Registry. I am
saying that their foals can't be registered if the vet report on teeth and
testicles is not on file. --- Again, no difference than other paper
requirements to register foals.
#9 - I think this program could go a long way to check the proliferation
of these faults. People can be encouraged by timely reminders in the
Herald, for instance, to check out at the Registry horses they're
considering buying or breeding to.
#10 - The knowledge that these reports are filed on every U.S. breeding
Fjord should go a long way toward encouraging breeders to pay more
attention to these inheritable faults. Buyers and breeders as well.
There's probably lots more to say on the subject, but I haven't time this
morning.
I hope this topic isn't dropped. It's much too important.
Once Again ---- Having teeth and testicles tested and on file with the NFHR
is a SMALL but IMPORTANT thing we can do to maintain standards in our
breed. It would cost almost nothing. Could be done at owner's convenience.
---- There's MUCH MUCH more that could be done to protect and preserve
the qualities we love in this breed . . . But, this particular plan is an
easy one and an important one, and I can't see how anyone who has the best
interest of the breed at heart, could object.
What do you think?
ONE MORE THING - Some people have gotten the impression that overbites or
underbites are common in the breed. NOBODY HAS SAID THAT! However, if we
allow horses to breed that have these conditions, you will see a lot of it
in the area the faulty horses are breeding. This fault is a strongly
inherited trait. Everyone knows that! It's a crime to breed animals and
not do everything in one's power to prevent it happening.
Think of it this way -- The reason misaligned mouths are considered such a
serious fault is that with such mouths, horses have a very hard time
grazing or can't do it at all. --- This would never happen in the wild,
as those horses would waste away and die. However, now we can keep them
fat and jolly by feeding them mush all their lives. Fine!!! But, we don't
have to breed those horses.
Best Regards, Carol Rivoire
Carol and Arthur Rivoire
Beaver Dam Farm Fjords II
R.R. 7 Pomquet
Antigonish County
Nova Scotia
B2G 2L4
902 386 2304
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/beaverdf
