This message is from: "Norsk Wood Works" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
What, where, how, when, WHAT white markings on fjords? Since Beth dragged my name into this deal I guess I better join in. This message is from Phillip Odden. As you know the NFHR evaluation process and the breed standards are an evolving program. This is not only true in North America, it is true in other countries where fjords are registered as well. FHI is an umbrella organization but even though there are several countries that have signed on to the FHI protocol, it looks to me like no two countries have the same set of rules regarding the evaluation of conformation and performance tests. Registries in different countries have different goals and different ways of reaching their goals. They may also have slightly different views of who and what the fjord is and should be. Does this sound familiar regarding discussions in this country? So FHI serves as an international discussion forum for fjord horses. Now, when we are making decisions regarding breed standards and issues of conformation and performance, we can look at the FHI guidelines and see if we can use what they have to offer. This is important because then when a fjord is purchased from Europe one should be fairly sure the horses are being evaluated on the same standard, or are they? Europeans may want to purchase animals from this country as well, but they might feel more comfortable in doing so if they felt comfortable with our evaluation process. For sure there are fjords moving across the Canadian and US borders. I wish the Canadian Registry would become more involved in these processes for the sake of the future of the fjord. Enough said about that. Learning about these issues trips my trigger. Some fjords have white markings. Recently I have been researching this issue and I am almost ready to give my report to the evaluation committee. Since I got most of my information from Norwegian sources I must first have the leading Norwegian expert in this area look over my report to see that it is accurate. Most of the information I gathered is historical in nature. There is very little accurate information on numbers of fjords with the various white markings such as stars, blazes, flesh colored marks, white hooves, and white socks. These white markings occur disproportionately in the different fjord colors. We know that all white marking are recessive in nature. Both parents must carry the gene for white. Some of our most used stallions in this country carry that gene. Some of these stallions have come from Norway by way of other countries. White stars have occurred in fjords ever since fjords have been registered. Currently a white star 5 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter is allowed on mares in Norway. Stars are not allowed on stallions to be evaluated and licensed to breed. ( It used to be the size of a Norwegian Crown, but along with many other things the crown is smaller these days.) No other white or flesh colored markings are allowed other than small flesh colored flecks on a stallion penis. If white markings were accurately reported for all fjords in all countries one could come up with a statistical chance as to any one mating would result in a white marking. You could see which lines were more likely to produce white markings. NFHR is primarily a Registry and an information service for people who are registering their fjords. Some of us are doing the best we can to gather information for you. This includes the NFHR staff of evaluators and the evaluation committee. A work in progress. Thank You, Phillip Odden
