How to Choose a Stallion for Your Mare Part II– Dressage Corner By Judy Wardrope
N
umerous criteria can be used alone or in combination to make breeding selections. One school of thought bases breeding plans
on the assessment of phenotype (appearance, size, type, temperament, and ability). When the mare and the stallion complement each other, a mating may be considered with the belief that if you breed ‘like’ to ‘like’ the result should be close to the ‘type’ of the parents.
GENOTYPE An examination of genotype (genetic makeup, pedigree and factors in the lineage) helps identify characteristics that may or may not be displayed in the individual. Many qualities are deemed worth knowing in the ancestry, such as a genetic tendency to pass on a particular trait (good or bad). In some cases the idea of crossing two individuals may have to be abandoned due to the risk factors. But, by the same token, genetic factors may lead you to choose a mating that could produce your wonder horse. If, for instance, the genetic background of either parent shows a tendency to throw a bad disposition, susceptibility to navicular disease, or a conformational defect, then the genetic makeup of the other becomes even more important. The breeding and production history of the family can also be used to gauge which horses tend to be more prepotent in stamping their offspring. Of course these things cannot be guaranteed because of the recessive/ dominant nature of genes. With the advent of transported semen and
improving technology, we can breed to any of thousands of stallions that are alive and many that are not. Unfortunately, breeding using artificial insemination does not always provide a breeder with knowledge regarding the type of mares previously bred or the physical characteristics of the resultant foals, and it is therefore difficult to determine whether a particular trait should be attributed to the stallion or the mare. Using local talent can allow us to view the stallion, some of the mares that have gone to his court, and a variety of his offspring. This of course may provide us with an insight regarding the offspring of that stallion with our mare.
LINEBREEDING AND AFFINITIES Many breeders advocate the use of linebreeding, where a superior ancestor/ancestors is/are duplicated
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in a five or six generation pedigree, the intent of which is to fix or cement certain traits and improve genetic probability. Inbreeding, or having more than a single cross to a particular horse in the ancestry within the first three generations, occurs more in some breeds than in others. An affinity without linebreeding is a form of out-
crossing (no common ancestors in five generations), which is believed to provide hybrid vigor (ability beyond either parent) in the offspring. A look at Donnerhall, the international dressage
competitor and sire, shows that a very high percentage of his top offspring are out of mares either by Pik Bube I or one of his immediate ancestors. Initially it could be said that Donnerhall had more opportunity with Pik Bube I mares, but once he became a popular international sire he was crossed with numerous other bloodlines. Yet the cross with the Pik Bube I mares continued to excel at the top of the sport. Perhaps the explanation lies in the physical construction of the two stallions and what they tend to stamp in their offspring. With this in mind, let’s see what we can learn.
CONTINUING EDUCATION It isn’t difficult to expand on what we already know and make a shift to a more analytical approach to breeding decisions. Fortunately that doesn’t mean we have to give up other factors—straight legs, size, disposition, color, convenience, cost, and so on—in our decisions. We can educate ourselves by first learning some of the major bones in the equine skeleton. Conformational points that can be described in objective terms and that are key elements in function will aid us. We can take the time to consciously and objectively
analyze the physical strengths and the physical limitations of mares and stallions. If the mare was only able to jump three feet, had trouble with oxers, could do extensions but not collection, developed soreness in a certain spot or broke down, then we can select a stallion that could jump higher, jump wider or collect more and stayed sound. We can assess our mare and then look for a mate
that matches her beneficial points, thereby cementing those traits. If he is strong where she is weakest, he thereby has a chance of improving on the mare.
Conformation
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