This message is from: "ruth bushnell" <fjo...@frontiernet.net>
Frankly, in this more global economy, I > think it's cool that some folks are able to bring a variety of stock > into this country. > > Beth > Sounds nicely idealistic, and I'm all for freedom of choice and brotherly good will, but the ebb and flow of global marketing does financially impact the breed and those who have faithfully supported it. Importation further loads our present horse surplus head count. That's not sentiment, nor is it opinion, that's bare mathematical logic. Breed circumstances are not what they were SIXTY years ago, when the Morgan people needed imports. And yes, "all Fjords are the same" genetically speaking.. there can no longer be any UN-used Fjord genes anywhere in the world, particularly so in Europe where there has been longtime severe culling (evaluations) and over-use of selected single sires. Of course we presently have no way of formulating that without gene mapping, but according to basic genetic diversity 101 fundamentals, it is true. I cannot fault those who will (romantically) have a GENUINE imported Norwegian Fjord horse, it sounds good--like a Pepsi commercial. I like my German Shepherd dogs to have GENUINE German lineage, my Swedish Vallhund dogs to have GENUINE Swedish lineage, but they may not be superior to those lines already here, and it certainly doesn't mean that other GSD and SV breeders will appreciate my import efforts which took a bite out of their market, ha ha. As far as CEM origins, all credible sites claim that somehow, somewhere, it all stemmed from Europe.. it has simply been passed along to animals that were not imported, or through contaminants, as Curtis inferred. It is not inconceivable that the future may hold similar tragic occurrences through the introduction of imports, (eg: "mad cow disease" from Europe).. or, possibly even genetic anomalies, which would be irrevocably worse; as has happened in the past to other species where the intro of a satellite into the original corrupted breed integrity. Ruthie, nw mt, US Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
