Re: Fjord Breeders' Association
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Arthur Rivoire) Hello from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia - Mary Thurman wrote me this great letter - Carol, If breeders form their own organization to help each other and to better the breed through their common interest, I see nothing wrong with a Breeders Association. --- Mary, Exactly what I had in mind. I broached this subject saying I was putting out feelers to see if there was interest. I said there was no such organization at present, and any rules or regulations would be created by the eventual members. -- -- In this vein, it would be virtually the same as our Promotional Groups - a group of people getting together to do what they can to promote the breed as a whole. These are our using horse groups. They sponsor shows, clinics, etc., to help those who use Fjords do that better. - Yes, exactly what I had in mind. You've said it extremely well! The only difference between a Breeder's Group and the Promotional Groups is the emphasis would be on creating and maintaining QUALITY BREEDING PRACTICES, rather than putting on clinics and shows. Not that a breeders' group couldn't sponsor clinics; particularly those having to do with educating breeders. Helping those not so knowledgeable, as you've pointed out. --- --- A breeders' group formed for the purpose of putting on seminars, clinics, etc., to be better informed about the breeding issues of the Fjord could help ALL breeders do a good job - if the membership is not limited in anyway, ie. no exclusive definition of a breeder. This would allow access to the group for small breeders - those who have only a mare or two, no stallion on premises, produce only a few foals, BUT want to produce only very good foals. The small breeder is often the one with limited resources and limited access to advice and information. He is the one who needs the shared knowledge of experienced breeders in order to produce good (sometimes great) foals. If the needs of the smaller breeders are not addressed, they are the ones who will be unable, often, to produce good horses - to the detriment of the breed. Often these small breeders are just as passionate about the breed as the bigger breeders - they own one or two really good mares that they either bought or raised and want to use them to produce good foals for the breed - but they do not have the resources to go bigtime. - Mary, You're absolutely right! To be blunt about it, there's a big difference between a concientious breeder, and someone who just multiplies horses. The first deserves to be called a BREEDER! I better not tell you what I think of the other kind. -- The first are the people I'd like to be associated with, and it makes absolutely no difference whether they're big, small, full-time, or part-time. What does matter is seriousness of purpose, intent, reverence for the breed, knowledge, or a willingness to be educated. I speak from experience here. You would not believe how incredibly hard it is to find out ANYTHING about Fjords - let alone find a good stallion for your prize mare - if you are small, out of the main loop, live on the edge of nowhere, and have little cash resources. Hard, yes - but not impossible! How much easier it would have been for us to have had some organization we could go to for basic information. -- Yes, I would believe how hard it is to find out things wherever we live. I live on the eastern edge of North America. I could get a little further away if I lived in Newfoundland, but not much. Personally, I would like to belong to a group having the common interest of breeding the best possible Fjords. A group that could share resources and knowledge. I had a private email the other day from someone who liked the idea of a Breeders Group. He pointed out that a Breeders Group might make a co-operative purchase of a high quality European stallion. Such a venture would benefit the breed as a whole, and the breeders involved as well as the general Fjord-buying public. That, of course, is just an example of what could be done. --- I'm a big fan of co-operatives! --- This should be one of the goals of any breeders' group - if you ignore the little guy, it is to the detriment of the breed. This said, I think the idea could be workable. Just be careful that it does not become an exclusive rich man's club
Re: breeders association
This message is from: Bushnell's [EMAIL PROTECTED] Catherine Lassesen [EMAIL PROTECTED] .we do not need another organization to try to organize the unorganized. Please do not create another group. Another $25.00 dues per year... another newsletter... another list... another.. another... (get the picture???) I could not agree more! This would be wheels within wheels of binding machinery that is unnecessary. You cannot legislate integrity anyhow. I'm of the opinion that Fjords just naturally attract the best kind of folk and they're going to do what's best for their stock without being monitored and dictated to. Jean Ernest said it very well in her post too. An effort of this nature could only be divisive for the common good. Ruthie Bushnell, NW MT
breeders association
This message is from: Catherine Lassesen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Pleasepleaseplease. Breeders... In my personal view...we do not need another organization to try to organize the unorganized. Can we not work within the NFHR and have a committee of breeders to address the all important things breeders want to talk about? In my view, we have too many organizations that have no direction and to which direction to go in. Another one would just be the same I am afraid. FBA or FJORD BREEDERS OF AMERICA was formed for that reason and where is it? I know there are people out there that want to have things done. I THINK THAT IS WONDERFUL. But can you RUN for OFFICE on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS and work within the SYSTEM to change things for the BETTER??? I would love to see more than one candidate for each position open. PUT YOUR NAME IN THE HAT and let us vote you in office... Please do not create another group. Another $25.00 dues per year... another newsletter... another list... another.. another... (get the picture???) (I am not trying to place the person with the suggestion down... rather the thought of another organization down) My 10 KRONE worth! Catherine Lassesen
Breeders Association?
This message is from: Cynthia [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thursday, Nov 26, Carol Rivoire wrote: This is a serious subject that should be of interest to ALL FJORD BREEDERS SOME OWNERS. Nancy Hotovy, the Chair of the Evaluation Committee gave us a lot to think about. She asked for input, and there hasn't been much. Does this mean most people don't care? If so, then maybe it's time for serious breeders to form a Breeders Association to maintain quality breeding. Perhaps the problem is most people have Fjords just for fun (nothing wrong with that), and don't want to be bothered with serious breed concerns. Perhaps the problem is we've asked these people to think about seious issues, and they don't have the interest and shouldn't be asked. What do you think about that? WHOA! Let's think about what's been said here! Form a Breeders Association? Golly, my impression as someone who has a Fjord just for fun is that the NFHR *is* a Breeders association. What does the NFHR actually offer me besides registration papers on my gelding. I hear there's an incentive program for us for fun owners, but I have yet to see it. And is anything else offered? Where I really get my support is from the Midwest Fjord Horse Club - they put on shows in which I can participate, they offer meetings I can attend to express my opinion and visually meet and talk with other Fjords owners. They offer education programs such as the one in Galena this next February (to which the NFHR may or may not offer some cost sharing). And the clubs who actually offer activities for their members are not officially affiliated with the NFHR. So why am I member of the NFHR? Because I love the breed, because I am interested in what happens to it. Because I always join the breed association (notice NOT breeders association) so that I can participate in the future of the breed. And I, as a for fun Fjord owner, have a unique opportunity with the NFHR that other memberships in breed associations have not afforded me. It is small enough but active enough that I can even be heard once in a while. When I attend a Midwest Fjord Horse Club activity, I get to meet a significant number of Fjord owners who also belong to the NFHR. Sometimes breeders tend to forget who is buying their horses - it is people like me and breeders should be pretty darn respectful of that fact. It is not breeders who make a breed (though they can damage one), it is the people who buy them for fun. I am interested trying to help the NFHR find a more significant role for for fun owners and it greatly benefits breeders to strongly encourage this. Another thing to point out, is that this list, which has proven itself to be such a valuable forum, is paid for and managed by a for fun owner. Members of this list also represent a very small, but vocal, portion of the Fjord folks and I think there has been much thoughtful response to all the issues put forth, from breeders and for fun owners alike. There have, in fact, been several responses to Nancy's message. I look forward to continuing to participate in these discussions. I think that Julie Will's willingness to convey the opinions she hears from us is a tremendous service to us all and will provide more input to the NFHR BOD than they have previously been able to receive. Carol, you frequently present thoughts that make for good discussion, but I for one wish you could put your ideas forward in a less provacative manner. Cynthia Madden mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Omaha, Nebraska USA
