Breeding for Breed Standards vs. Breeding for a Discipline

The content of our last blog helped several readers to reflect on what is “natural” for a domestic horse.  We were happy to hear that many of you were able to differentiate between the breeding of domestic horses, by their human caretakers, and what occurs with the Natural Selection process found in the wild horse. So, when caring for our modern day domestic horses, to include some factors that are considered “unnatural”, is OK, considering our horses are domestic, and not wild.

At any rate, this is a great lead-in to Breeding for Breed Standards vs. Breeding for Disciplines.

Examples to ponder…….. An American Quarter Horse is the foundation horse to the American Cowboy.  They travel short, fast distances while cutting cattle, and are big and stocky for roping and dragging livestock.  A Shire or Clydesdale has its beginnings as a horse driven in front of wagons and plows.  They are big and heavy, and can pull big and heavy things.  There are many examples of horse breeds and standards for what they were originally bred to do….. historically. 

The Arabian horse, although considered the most versatile breed, still should be seen with standards of conformation and type, like all other breeds.

The Arabian Horse was bred to withstand the tough conditions of dry desert climates, and to travel long distances in that environment. They were companions of their people, and enjoyed a deep horse/human relationship, especially when involved in war.   Arabians were bred to be even- tempered, hardy, nimble, and fast. Conformationally, the Arabian Horse is described as short boned, short through the back, and equal balance of shoulder to hip.  Their neck is long and elegant.  Their heads have large, wide set eyes, a slightly dished face, and a tea cup muzzle. Their tail is set high and carries proud. Feel free to get a lengthy description at:  www.arabianhorses.org/home/faq/AskExpert4.asp

Espartero- photo by Andrew K Steen

So, given the picture above, and the description of the Arabian horse, could you breed an Arabian?

I would say yes!

Before we continue further discussion, let us first state we are not trying to point out negatives with any Breeders or Breeding Programs. This is merely a discussion to point out how we compromise Breed Standards whenever we create a horse that will be specific to only one discipline. 

Examples to ponder:    …….Halter folks want an exotic head and lengthy neck, but when breeding for this look, may also end up with a horse with finer bone, which is contrary to the standard.  Western Pleasure folks like a very robust body type, but when breeding for this trait the resulting horse will lack length of stride and lightness in gait. Again, contrary to the standard. Arabian Hack/Saddle Seat horses are bred for more height and more knee action like a Saddlebred! An Arabian was never meant to carry such knee action. In the last 15 years the Arabian Racehorse breeders have been breeding for mostly speed, over shorter distances, and have lost the characteristics of their more delicate heads and tail carriage. Many critics comment that the resulting horses look more like Thoroughbreds then Arabians.

So why should we all care about this anyway?

When horses are bred for a discipline first… and then fail at that discipline, they usually become the outcast, or throw aways!  Compounding their dilemma, is the fact they lack the traits and conformation that is the standard for the breed, and since they are not considered representative of their breed, are considered even more undesirable. This makes future placement, and the hopes of a second career, an ever present challenge.

The long and short of it is that Breeders should consider sticking to breed standards, before breeding just for speed, or just for a pretty head.

Buyers/Owners should not put unrealistic expectations on breeders, which in turn cause breeders to experiment with gene combinations that eventually weaken the breed. In doing so, this would help stabilize Breed Standards, and eventually strengthen the genetic pools of a specific breed, which will keep them unique and specific for the roles of pulling wagons, traveling long distances, jumping, etc., etc..

The Half-Breed Registration has no real purpose with regard to Breed Standards.  Individuals breed Half-Breeds to achieve the egotistical goals which allow a human to compete better in the discipline she/he picks, and that is really all.  The horse is compromised for the status the human achieves in the sport. In addition to diluting and corrupting the purebred gene pool, the resulting horse carries no hope for breed propagation beyond his generation.

Eat or Ride?

The domesticated horse throughout the ages….things to ponder.

 Inspired  by Stephen Budiansky and his book, ” The Nature of the Horse”

Last week, our blog touched on the ideals of what is natural for a horse.  How the wild horse is managed by nature, and how the domestic horse is managed by man.  The viewpoint to come away with was …being smart about horse nutrition, herd management and horsemanship.

So why more controversy? 

With the domestication of the horse has come all the good things man can provide, supplements, deworming programs, & senior diet programs. By virtue of our efforts, we’ve also increased the life expectancy of horses.  Not only that, by managing them in ways of keeping them “safer” from “natural causes” we also have wayward animals that exist because we feed them and house them well.  Is this good in consideration of population/overpopulation of the domestic horse? 

OH, NO, now it’s been said.  ……What to do with the “unwanted domestic horse” especially since the slaughter houses for horses are closed in the United States.  Not to mention, the expense for an owner that would prefer humane euthanasia over the economically cost effective method of a bullet and a ranch burial!

OK horse lovers …hard to hear as we treasure these beasts!  Tough reality ….though when we go back to the horse as an animal of the survival for man. ….. man has evolved  …and the horse is caught up in a totally different  perspective. 

 IS SLAUGHTER BAD?  YES-It is a bad word, ……it is also a very emotional and debated subject for many modern horse people …so let’s just go back to the past to see how horse populations were controlled and managed by our forefathers.

As we travel back we see that first, they did not have manufactured diets, supplements, and dewormers  that may have included manmade chemical additives and hormones.    In the past, the most unnatural thing man did with horses was put metal in their mouth and metal shoes on their feet!   Gunpowder and cayenne pepper were the choice for dewormers.

Thru the ages, the horse was mostly a status symbols of Kings and Emperors, to carry out messages of war and peace.  If peace was not found in the message, horses were a part of the war!  Remember it was the oxen that was the plow animal first.  It was the “beast of burden”.

 Crazy thing about the horse of the past, it could survive it’s best battle but if the emperor died it may also be buried with him as a sign of ‘status”, and something he took with him to his afterlife!

Horses, throughout the ages, were status symbols of wealth, strength, and power as they are today.  As battles and wars resided, and people continued to modernized, they used horses for labor along with oxen for everyday travel.  They also may have eaten their horses during a drought, financial hardship, or simply because the horse could not “earn his keep”.  So a horse was still not a companion animal while it was a part of the lower income brackets of modern man.

Perspective is EVERYTHING!  We love our horses and have the means to provide humane intervention for them to lead comfortable lives into retirement , with the least amount of suffering and the same honor we gave the kings and emperors who fought the battles of the land. We honor our best horses still,  ……….building statues and monuments  to honor our Great Equines.

Ok-Here is the wrap up!  You find your horse in the pasture with a catastrophic injury.  He can no longer be the messenger, and could no longer help you fight a war.  You know that humane euthanasia is the only option …for no more suffering, with a bullet or with a knife …which means nothing unnatural or chemical.  Do you waste the horse to earth ….or do you feed your family.  Though I’m not in favor of euthanasia. …..There are times when we must consider it as the logical answer.

To eat or to ride ….or?  If only our modern day overpopulation could be so sensible and so simple.

Read the book!  “The Nature of Horses’ by  Stephen Budiansky

What do you guys think?

*The Fawor Foundation does not want to eat horses.

The Natural Horse

The Fawor Foundation was not only created to assist Arabian horses, but also to help explain the importance of Equine Wellness.  There is so much debate about what is “natural” for the Horse.

Equine Wellness should focus on the needs that support the domestic horse.  So often the idea of what is “natural” for a horse is not pertinent to a domestic horse, but perhaps what is more relevant to a wild horse.  Each horse, wild verses domestic, will have totally different needs because of the environment that has been provided for them to survive within.

Wild horses need to adjust to the balance of the earth’s rhythms.  For example, these patterns are where the water is available, and where the grass may grow best.  In times of drought, horses dig for springs, eat cactus or any other available forage to meet their basic nutritional needs.  Because of natural selection, and the survival of the fittest, the genes of the strongest wild horses prevail in the hard times.

In the case of the domestic horse, he has the exact opposite.  If they are well cared for, the human supplies all the best feed, which usually includes a brand name commercial feed that has spent millions of dollars studying the nutritional needs of the domestic horse.  Domestic horses have automatic waterers or water tanks or in large ranch situations spring fed stock tanks.  These horses also “work”, have jobs, be it ranching, dressage, racing etc. Ultimately, the human also has the power to select the mate of the domestic horse.  The human is the one responsible for the genetic patterns and offspring in most of the domestic horses.  This means no choice for the horses,” natural selection” is no longer responsible for survival, human intervention has taken control.

Think about it!  Genetically, we have controlled natural selection not for survival but for competitive edge!  As breeders, do we look at  the importance of survival selection verses just color, speed, or worse yet, ….just breeding one winning name to another winning  name, who both have bad ankles at the age of five! What are we thinking!!!!!!

How do we create wellness for our domestic horses? 

Start with the obvious balance.  Fresh water, good forage, vitamin and minerals.  Take advantage of the good feed companies, ……..seek out good farriers …there are no disguises in a healthy foot.  This means no contracted heels, no cracks, no fungus and no hoof pain.

When we discuss what is “natural” to a horse we also must admit it is because we are” domestic” as the human counterpart. We are what we breed/create so if you, BREED SMART, TRAIN THEM WELL and see them succeed …….or if you do not see the desired results…..geld your studs and do not breed to the average, or below average mare. 

Guidelines:

1. CONFORMATION:    For breed standard and ability

2. TEMPERMENT:     Everyone loves a likeable horse.

3.    ABILITY:    In 95% of breeding for the above……you will have the success of pedigree, conformation    and athleticism.

 Thank you !

THE DOMESTIC HORSE!

Letter from the President

….A Letter from the President, and thoughts for the New Year!

Preventive Intervention

It has been brought to my attention that a horse I met at the race track, (and was subsequently surrendered to a great Horse Rescue Facility), had to be humanely euthanized after months of extensive x-rays,  vet visits, supplements, and supportive care.

His history was that of a very well bred TB line, …selling at the Keeneland Premium Yearling Sale, which made his price go far further then the “average market”. He, as a yearling, was not to be a letdown.   Knowing this horse personally, I witnessed his spirit, and it far surpassed what the immature bones in his legs could produce. As a three year old, he only raced twice before his knee gave out. He was a fast grower, with growing pains for good reason!  His body said “I am not ready”… but his trainers and his brain said “Go”!  A slab fracture and a bone chip in his knee said “STOP”.  His trainer then said “no more”!  She did what was best, and asked that the Rescue see where he might fit in to rest and heal.  The Rescue spent more money, lots of time, and eventually decisions were made to patch him up and fix his growing pains. This three year old would have been an exceptional race horse, if only he had been given the extra time to mature.

So, instead of a race career, he enjoyed the farm, the special attention, and all the good things a horse may experience if given to a Rescue that has the knowledge, and know how, to see to it that rehabilitation would make life more comfortable.

During his final months, he lived like a horse should live!  He used his feet, stretched his legs and felt proud, if only for a moment, until the adrenaline wore out, and he was reminded of his aches and pains!    Surgery was an option, but it would do nothing more then put him in a state of recovery, whereby, the body would fill the open spaces with scar tissue, and with limited activity, the end result would be ongoing arthritis and pain. All things came to a stop when he was humanely euthanized, due to his severe arthritis taking over, and he was never comfortable or sound, even after being on all the supplements a horse can take.

Breeders/Owners/Trainers: ….what will it take to have you recognize the worth of your investments.  What will it take to ask you to wait 6 months, or one more year (preferred), to not use animals up and destroy them!  The case of this one horse, coming from the Race Industry, is the same as it is for the Show Industry Futurities. It’s just never exposed!  The Show Industry doesn’t display as much brutality as the race industry, but the desire for the trophy, and the almighty dollar, brings about the same sad results.  Reining, and Hunter Futurities, to name just a few, impose the same early pressure.

 A horse is not physically grown or fully mature by age 5!  Possibly, some mentally, not until they are 10!  Talk to the Spanish Riding School!  It is deplorable what we do to the exceptional athletes we have spent so much money breeding and trying to prove. They deserve so much more! They give all of their heart with effort, and we continue to throw them away to unknown spaces, and be heartless, when all along they were physically too young to be ready for such demanding careers.

Stop, and think about this for a while! It is such an old subject for futurity programs and maiden races!  What great horses we would all have if we ……..JUST LET THEM GROW UP!

Happy New Year!

Looking back at wonderful Arabians placed in loving homes in 2010!

(Caitlyn from Front Range Equine Rescue )

Horses still needing sponsors and adoptive homes in 2011:

(Jewels from Front Range Equine Rescue )

(Eva from Front Range Equine Rescue )

May your new year bring you many sunny days and happy trails!

Happy Holidays!

 

Hi, my name is Misty, and I'm the Senior Spokeshorse for the Fawor Foundation. I'll be spending Christmas here at the ranch with all my friends, and the nice folks that take such good care of us. Though all us receive lots of love and attention, I'm one of the lucky ones who has an individual sponsor that takes care of all my financial needs. For a horse who is 25+ years old, that's really important, because horses don't have 401K Retirement Plans or Social Security Checks to pay their bills. My sponsor is also special because she gives me that one-on-one time that we horses really enjoy. She won't be able to join me for Christmas this year, because she's serving our country while stationed in Iraq. Even from half way around the world, she checks up on me often, when communicating with Jo. What a special lady! 

 

This holiday season, please consider sponsoring one of my friends throughout the upcoming year. It'll not only make them feel terrific, but it'll also make you feel fantastic!

 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Misty......and everyone here at The Fawor Foundation!

Ice Cold!

The Fawor Foundation receives horses with a wide range of rehabilitation needs. WMA Touch of Love, just one of many cases, was surrendered to the Foundation after tearing her suspensory ligament at the race track. Though she has been healing and recovering quite well, she had a recent set-back while playing too vigorously during her pasture turn out.

Love lives up to her name, as a total sweetheart, as she stands quietly in the bucket of ice used to reduce her swelling and inflammation.

The Fawor Foundation’s ultimate goal is to build an Equine Wellness Center, where it is planning to house a Hydrotherapy Machine. This marvelous piece of modern technology will eliminate the struggles experienced while trying to keep a horse in one spot while cold hosing, or soaking in a bucket of ice. Instead, imagine walking that horse into a Hydrotherapy Spa and just pressing a button. Not only is it easier, it’s much more effective, and it can be used to treat a wide range of injuries and wounds, over the entire horse.

The hydrotherapy machine harnesses not only the power of regulated temperature, it also uses hydro-jets and salts. The healing times are incredible. Below are pictures of a before and after injury with only 3 weeks of hydrotherapy! You can see more case studies here.

If you missed the original blog on the benefits of hydrotherapy and the wide range of injuries it can help click here.

If you’d like more information on how you can help the Foundation obtain a Hydrotherapy Machine, or if you would like to help in constructing the Wellness Center, contact us at info@faworfoundation.org

Working out the Kinks

At the Fawor Foundation we get horses with sore bodies and minds. Some come off of the racetrack or out of the show ring while others have had rough handling in back yard situations.

Tut schooling in the round pen.

Tut was brought to the Fawor Foundation by a nice lady who got him out of a bad situation but sadly didn’t have the time for him. Tut is incredibly sweet and we’re so glad he’s here because he needs lots of TLC. We recently had his hooves trimmed but Tut will need much more supportive care before he is ready to be adopted.

Tut came to us with a sore back, and will definitely need more than one session with the chiropractor. In addition to the hunter’s bumps which you can see, Tut also has soreness in his wither area, and a scar on the base of his tail. We believe he may have flipped over backwards at some time, but we really can’t be certain. The Fawor Foundation does more than just feed and house these lovely Arabians in need of a second chance.

Tut's back with view hunter's bumps and scar on his tail.

Scar on Tut's tail.

Below is a list of essential expenses for the Foundation horses.

Hoof trim - $35-50

Dental- $125-225

Chiropractor- $75-85 (per session)

Routine shots- $75-150

We believe in rehabilitating the horse’s body and mind. Tut gets nervous when the rope is flicked around his legs, so we work a lot with desensitization. As per the vet with his sore back we’re not working Tut in a saddle yet. He is a lovely Egyptian bred gelding who truly wants to please.

Donating to the Fawor Foundation is a tax deductable way to help Tut and all of the awesome Arabs that just need that second chance! You only have three and a half weeks left to get your 2010 tax deductions!

Historical Arabian : Marengo

(Heels down Napoleon!)

You probably recognize this painting of Napoleon. Napoleon was known for his preference for small grey Arabians.  Many other military officers of the time were riding Thoroughbred type horses.

The story of Marengo is considered somewhat of a myth because no record of a horse with that name has been discovered. Napoleon regularly gave his horses nicknames and even called his wife Josephine (whose real name was Rose.) Author Jill Hamilton's research on Napoleon’s legendary Marengo lead to the possibility that the horse was actually named Ali and was of Egyptian origin.

About Napoleon’s Arabians:

“His main officers would have been ashamed to ride them; they were little, skinny and without exterior, but sweet, gentle and reliable; nearly all were entire [not gelded] and not trimmed [without their tails docked -Napoleon opposed docking a horse's tail, a practice common in the British Army]."  Hamilton- Marengo, The Myth of Napoleon’s Horse

At the end of the day questions about Napoleon’s legendary grey steed remain unanswered.  One thing is for sure, his appreciation for Arabians was well documented, even if in a negative manner.

The Fawor Foundation takes an interest in all things Arabian! We would love to hear about your favorite historical Arabians!

Visit our facebook page!

Are You Talkin’ to Me? Part Dos.

We are really excited to let everybody know that we are nearly half way to our fundraising goal for De Niro!

We’re hoping to get his surgery done in time for Christmas!

For those of you that haven’t already met De Niro, he’s maybe the sweetest horse at the barn (Don’t tell Andy!) He is a beautiful, four year old, chestnut off the track. De Niro is an old soul for a baby, and can be loped quietly on the trail bareback!

To read the first blog update on De Niro click here! 

We have no doubt he’ll be adopted as soon as his surgery is done and healed.

To learn more about De Niro check our website and facebook page!

If you want to see De Niro’s pretty face (sans the bump) please donate! We’re almost there!

Special Thanks to all who've donated!!!!

Winter’s Fast Approach

Though the weather is colder, and the horses are fuzzier there’s still work to be done. Hooves need trimming, stalls need mucking and horses need attention.

Tut stands for his trim (with the help of a grain bucket.)

When the landscape turns white and frigid, the trails will have to wait until spring. Luckily the Fawor Foundation has an indoor arena for those days that are just too darn cold. Training sessions are always kept interesting with the use of obstacles, jumps, and giant exercise balls.

Martina watches Andy schooling in the round pen (while the footing is still good.)

With the days growing shorter and colder, it can be difficult to find the time to ride after all of the chores. Classy wants to know how you make the most out of the winter season with your horse?

King Tut

Tut is the newest horse at the Foundation and needs a home for the holidays! Tut came from a home where there were just too many horses. Since his owner couldn’t provide the individual attention he deserves, she sent him to us. Tut is very sweet and wants a person to bond with. We’re hoping to place Tut soon, so he can enjoy a family of his own for the holidays. Tut will make somebody an amazing horse!

 The Fawor Foundation believes in preventative intervention. The state of the economy and surplus of horses (Arabians included!) means more neglect, abuse and abandonment. The Fawor Foundation wishes to find horses before they are in trouble. We’re so glad Tut’s story won’t end in tragedy.

We firmly believe that these cases do NOT need to turn into critical situations! The physical, mental and emotional toll neglect takes on a horse is heartbreaking, and preventable!

It doesn't have to come to this.

Come meet Tut! Although he could stand to put on some weight, he’s none the wiser to man’s inhumanity. Find us on facebook and visit our website!  

Not so Raggedy Andy.

The Fawor Foundation found Andy through an ad on Craigslist. It was hard to imagine finding such a well bred registered Arabian in such a sad situation. His previous owner's circumstances changed due to loss of job in the family. He was living in a small, barb wire paddock, for over three years all by himself. When we first saw Andy, we weren’t sure what was going on with his coat. At first we thought he had some kind of lice, and later discovered that he had rain rot all over his body. He even had abscesses from wearing his dirty, wet, blanket through the winter. We couldn’t help but call him Raggedy Andy.

Andy had been wearing a halter for months, maybe longer.

In addition to groceries and TLC, horses at the Fawor Foundation also get routine veterinary and dental care.

Poor Andy endured many medicated bathes. It was clear that he had received little attention, as his former owner labeled him dangerous. After spending the summer at the Fawor Foundation Andrew is now shiny and happy. Andrew is incredibly sweet and will follow you around the pasture all day long. Although he still has muscle mass to gain, and could use more length to his tail, Andrew is totally gorgeous. 

Andrew is Russian, ten years old and 15.1 hands. He is very sensitive and can sometimes get nervous, so he does best with a confident partner. Andrew would love to have a sponsor this winter, or a wonderful adoptive home for Christmas.

                                     Andrew with his favorite volunteer Nicole!

To see more photos of Andrew visit our Facebook page!

Urgent call to AHA members!

The Arabian Horse Association Mission Supporters (AHAMS) needs AHA members to contact their club delegates in efforts to support a resolution to rescind last year’s motion by the AHA endorsing the reopening of United States slaughter facilities.  The resolution will be presented next month at AHA’s convention in Orlando, FL (November 17-21.)

“The endorsement of equine slaughter says that we have little regard for the animals that we chose to bring into this world, and for the ancient breed that we treasure.

Send the positive message that our horses have individual worth and value. Send the positive message that this Association exists to find innovative ways to encourage responsible breeding where every foal is valued, and to lead the way in the industry by continuing to provide programs and services that promote and encourage ownership and the long-term enjoyment of our horses.” – AHAMS

The Fawor Foundation has been a second chance (and in many cases, a last chance) for discarded Arabians; from the track, show ring, or loving home due to the poor economy. The Fawor Foundation gives these horses time to recover mentally, veterinary care to mend their broken down bodies, and a second chance at life, and sometimes just a comfy retirement.

Resolute Bey, ‘Rezzy’ with a bump on his fetlock, severly matted mane and tail, and a weary look in his sensitive eyes would have been passed over by many possible homes, not at the Fawor Foundation. We have given Rez a chance, a chance that comes along few and far between for ex-race horses with old injuries.

Please think of the Fawor Foundation for your next competition or pleasure horse. The Fawor Foundation has many sound, beautiful, well trained Arabians that just need someone special to take a chance on them.