This n that about inspections

A few interesting points from:  Warmbloods Today Jan/Feb 2011.  “Refining the Trakehner” by Stephanie J. Corum using my notes

In 1920, 61% of the entire Trakehner broodmare herd was Thoroughbred offspring which resulted in a ‘refined, noble horse, which in type and frame was hardly distinguishable from the thoroughbred.”

Studies in the early 1900s showed that the addition of Thoroughbred blood resulted in:

               Reduction of bone

               Reduction of depth of girth

               Reduction of girth circumference

               Reduction in body weight

After World War II the influence of the Thoroughbred declined. Instead, breeders gravitated toward  producing a heavier, stronger pulling and riding horse. While breeders still appreciated the nerve, nobility and athleticism of the Thoroughbred, they did not want the temperament faults associated with them.

Gustav Rau – Oberlandstall meister of Prussia (Horse Breeding Director – Trakehner). Rau developed and implemented modern warmblood protocols. “I am not interested in picking flaws. I am interested in picking horses.” Three things he felt were truly problematic:  Disproportionality, downhill build and weediness (lack of bone substance).  Looked for overall rectangular body outlines and smooth, broad & deep loin coupling.

I am not really into the rectangular frame.  I much prefer a squarer frame

This was on the same notes but I didn’t write down who ‘she’ was.   Probably one of my most favorite quotes about horses.  “Running the equation backward” by which she means ‘a common problem that arises when numbers begin to be more important than horses.”

 

Ben Along Time

I was 'decluttering' (mostly just rearranging piles if truth be told) and found this Wardrope conformation analysis of Ben Along Time.  Thought it might be of interest.  Ben Along Time is by Cavalier Royale out of Campaigner's Dream by Campaigner ISH out of Campaigner xx.

This is from Warmbloods Today May/June 2012 p. 64-65

TB influence in sport

This is from Warmbloods Today, July/August 2013 pages 28-31. All info is property of the copyright owner.  Information in article the work of Judy Wardrope.  I read this with interest and am pleased that she validated some of my views about today's thoroughbred.

Visitor

Calum had a visitor today.  I had told the visitor earlier that I would put a saddle and bridle on him before her visit.  I hadn't done that - you know the slug that I am. So we did it while she was here.  Of course I was terrified because I had told he would handle just fine and I was sure I had jinxed it - you know like when you say your horses loads easily and they procede to make a liar of you.  Calum of course was a real champ and made me very proud. :)

Sea Crest, Cruising, Flexible conformation

I finally got around to reading the July/August 2013 issue of Warmbloods Today.  There were 2 very good articles. I am including page 52 and 53 for those Irish draught people that follow this blog (if there are any left).

Long time since last post

It has been a long time since I've posted anything. I have been doing a lot of contemplating. It's mostly questions such as does the Irish Draught have a future and what might the future look like?  I confess that I don't see any future for the genuine Irish Draught.  I find my determination deeply disturbing but it is what it is.  Lots of folks talk about 'saving the breed', profess to adore the foundation type of ID but with most it's just talk. 

I dislike what breeders are currently producing and I abhor the fact that decent Irish Draughts are being bred to Continental Warmbloods.  It indicates a distinct lack of understanding about the grave responsibility breeders have and the quite real precariousness of the breed..  This waste of a year in the life of the breeding stock of a rare (and getting rarer everyday) breed is both shameful and unconscionable. 

That's my take on the sad state of genuine Irish Draughts.

I received a call  yesterday from someone I had helped a few years ago. She was asking my opinion on a situation she was facing with her ID mares.  She may not know it but I am very grateful for her call as it is a tiny sliver of light in what otherwise is total blackness. It reminded me that there are a few sensible and caring people left in the ID world -- few and far between but there.

Since folks were askimg CW stands for continental warmblood ie  Holsteiner, Trakehner etc.