Thursday, November 1, 2012

Let the horse pick it's own discipline.

Like almost every other horse owner I've ever known when Foxie came to me I had certain hopes for what I could do with her in the future. ( A good solid trail horse for one.) I like most people find a horse with an idea already set about what I what to do with that horse. But unlike most people I've ran across am more than happy to let that hope go right out the window when I get to know the horse.

recently a guy came to me, who was wanting to buy a horse and wanted to know if I would take a stud on to train. ( warning number 1)
Upon further question this guy told me that he really didn't know much about breeding quarter horses but really liked this one because of his size. (warning number 2)

Further into the conversation this guy told me that this horse had already been used as a stud and shown in halter classes (third and final warning )
Stopping him right there I asked him if he had seen this horses papers and I also told him if this horse was a halter horse there was a good chance there was Impressive in his bloodlines. I was right, there was, and on the top and bottom of his papers, pay dirt! Impressive was a beautiful horse who produced outstanding get, however, he is also known for the genetic disease known as HYPP. http://www.bringinglighttohypp.org/ More to the point this horse was tested for the disease and found to have the reseive gean. What that means is this horse that this guy is wanting to make into a trail horse will not show the symptoms but his foals will stand an almost 99% chance have having it.

If all you want to do is some trail riding why would you think it was a good idea to get a horse like this! This is a horse that is bred to stand there and look pretty and make other horses that will stand there and look pretty. There are a million horses out there that need a good home and would be willing to let you ride all day long anywhere you wanted to.
  This is not the kind of horse anyone needs if all you want to do is ride around a little bit.

As for this guy, I have no idea if he really bought this horse. I'm hoping that me telling him over and over again to keep looking got through but I doubt I will ever know. As for Foxie, and my idea to turn her into a trail horse shes turning into a really nice dressage prospect!

















Impressive 1974