This message is from: "Pat Holland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Ruthie wrote:
The QH is where it's at today because of eye
pleasing phenotypical decisions made in the past, with little or no regard
to genotypical thought... sound familiar?
Evaluations will in no way prevent inbreeding, on the contrary, they
promote
it by the use of blue ribbons.
Ruthie, nw mt
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I wouldn't now phenotypical vrs genotypical .....or any of that speak. All
I know is what I feel when I'm sitting on a horse or driving one.
The QH changed because of "fashion"......or "flavor of the day".....I was
there, I saw it evolve.
The first trend came by means of color (around the early 70's) - the QH with
white legs became so popular AQHA enacted a color rule (no white above the
middle of the knee and hocks or below the eye or chin.) Then around that
time tall was "in"......you could look at the halter classes in line for
placement, first place - it was the tallest with the most white....on
down.......then the "California Style" came into fashion and everyone was
riding with a headset......unfortunately it was done mostly in a fake
fashion - not the real bridled horses the California people were putting
out, and taking years to get
- so then ...with the taller - long legged horses and a fake
headset - trying to keep the slow jog and lope - that horrible trot/lope
developed with the "peanut roller effect".
AQHA is trying to change that trend and slowly true movement is coming
back.
It's a lesson to be learned by NFHR, hopefully by virtue of our small size
in membership we can hold together the true Fjord. Disposition above all
else - hopefully - will always be the standard with our breed. We need
the correct conformation and good clean movers, but not at the expense of
the mind. The good minded Fjord will always be in high demand.
Just my opinion - from seeing it happen before.
Pat Holland
