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SUBJECT: EVALUATION SCORES
QUESTION: "Since breeders have their horse evaluated in order to help them
decide which horses to breed, what their strengths and weaknesses, are etc. Do
you think there is a minimum score a horse should receive from the evaluation
in order to be condidered for breeding. I know difficult question to answer
since a horse may not receive a blue because it didn't have the best coloring
or maybe not enough 'presence' but that same horse may overall be very sound."
RESPONSE:
Mary
Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your question. I have taken the
liberty to respond in an open email because I feel this is the type of
information from which we can all learn and establish a better understanding
of the evaluation process.
First, it must be stated that the complete NFHR evaluation process, is not
identical to evaluations for Fjords in Europe, nor warmbloods in the US and
Europe. And, perhaps more importantly, the evaluation is not and was not
intended to be a horse show. The multi-color ribbons tend to add that horse
show flavor.
Now, with that stated, let's look at another historical piece of the puzzle.
I initially started working with the evaluation committee in 1991. I have
received no salary compensation for this work. We were faced with two
challenges. One, to create or see created a breed standard and two, to
establish a North American evaluation process. A process that best suited the
Fjord horse in North America and it's breeders. As a result, the process was
broken into different categories with the foundation being the
conformation/breed type evaluation. From there, the horse could demonstrate
abilities and excellence in riding, driving, and draft. The Committee took the
next step and diversified to English and Western, the choice of the breeder.
Also, the Committee set up scores to attain and denoted different levels of
competencies through achievement awards.
The ultimate concept was intended to provide breeders information on the
horse. For example, an owner of a stallion being offered at stud could provide
a mare owner with information to prospective mare owners. The stallion owner
could provide the conformation/type scores and the performance scores.
Singularly, the scores may not have much meaning to the mare owner, but
together, the conformation/type and performance scores reveal a more complete
picture of the stallion. More importantly, the mare owner could ask, "What
scores has the stallion's offspring receive in conformation/type and
performance? " Then, you know what the stallion has been producing and whether
to breed to the stallion.
Or, a mare owner might ask, "What scores did the stallion receive in a
specific area, such as head and neck?" The mare owner may lbe ooking for a
stallion to improve the quality of the mare's neck. This could be used for all
other aspects of the evaluation. If you were looking for a driving horse and
the stallion did not complete or receive satisfactory scores in driving, then
the message to the mare owner should be clear, STOP look for another stallion.
More specifically to your question, I would be very surprised if a horse did
not receive a blue by the lack of satisfactory scores in color, markings and
presence. Yet, a horse could receive low scores in these areas. We as
evaluators have been asked to assess the quality and quantity of color and
markings and quantify the horse's presence. If you will look at the score
sheet, color and markings are under the heading of Overall and presence are
under the heading of Type. Collectively, each of these items present the
evaluator with the question, does this horse have the characteristic traits
and attitude of a Fjord?
Further, when you look at the headings you will note each has a total score.
The sub-headings such as color, markings and presence do not require a score
only a plus or minus. Thus, individually these areas are observed and remarked
upon but they are one of several factors that contribute to the total score
for the specific heading.
You ask about the total conformation/type scores. Yes, the total overall
scores do reflect information. If a mare receives a score below 50 do you want
to own and breed to her? If a stallion receives a score below 60 do you want
to breed to him? The answers should be obvious, no.
Each breeder must learn to use the scores as a one tool in the breeding
selection and purchase process. There are many other factors to consider. The
breeder or purchaser sure use other tools make the important decisions
associated with a mating, such as pedigree, costs, availability, fertility,
etc. And, potential purchasers should find the scores helpful!!
Thus, the NFHR Evaluation was intended to educate and enlighten those breeders
desiring to participate in the evaluation, to guide their breeding programs.
I will follow up on any questions or areas of confusion. Let me
