This message is from: "Linda Lehnert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I found this on the Hafi List today and felt compelled to share it because it makes such a powerful statement on how NOT to promote Fjords: From Karen in CT: A few years ago I considered purchasing a ...Fjord/QH cross. I was very excited...although it didn't work out and innocently mentioned it to a Fjord person at the Equine Affair. She was so offensive and rude. I felt like I had been slapped in the face. I hadn't purposely bred the horse, but just considering the purchase seemed to be a crime punishable by death. Apparently in her opinion this cross should have never happened and if the Fjord registry ever found out about it, well ----You can imagine how offended I was and it somewhat turned me away from inqujiring further about the Fjord breed...." Perhaps if the Fjord person had been more tactful Karen would now have a Fjord instead of a Hafi. And even if her Hafi doesn't work out for her, I'm sure she will never consider a Fjord because of this person's rudeness. A more tactful response would be something like, "We really prefer purebreds because of all the wonderful qualities for which they have been selectively bred for thousands of years in Norway, but there can be a place for crossbreds" and then proceeded to describe the characteristics. After all, saying "can be a place" is not advocating crossbreeding, but recognizing that for some this might be desireable. With the dog-eat-dog competition among the breeds in the US and so few Fjords it would appear to me that Fjord people cannot afford to alienate a potential convert by this type of behavior. The next time one of you meets someone like Karen please be tactful and think of the consequences of your response. Thank you. Linda in Reichelsheim where we have snow now and it is very cold
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