This message is from: "Starfire Farm, LLC" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Alison Barr wrote: > Do we really need to breed for riding? It seems to me > that they are already there! We have several sizes and shapes of fjords at our farm at the moment. A few are built "uphill", have withers (good for holding the saddle on) have beautiful, but not extravagant trots, and have no problem cantering. One gelding, which I would say is leaning towards the "draft" type, is very tall (at least 15.1h) but incredibly athletic. He's beautiful to watch both at the trot and the canter. As for fjord type, there's no question that he's a fjord. The only thing I would change about him is that he has a relatively small eye and a coarse head (something I've seen in a number of "draft type" fjords.) We also have a couple of mares who are unquestionably fjord type, but are not as "uphill" as the males mentioned earlier. Interestingly enough, these horses tend to trip more and have a bit more trouble with the canter. They are athletic, but it's just not as easy for them to get their forehands off the ground. Good "riding type" horses should have withers and should be built slightly "uphill" to allow for a good saddle fit, and to make the ride more comfortable. That doesn't mean that you have to change the type! Good conversation! Keep it up! Beth -- Beth Beymer & Sandy North Starfire Farm, Berthoud CO www.starfirefarm.com
