Breeding Thourghbred Racing Horses - Essay Example

ing of thoroughbred horses is a highly intricate and technical matter and a breeder’s success is measured by lesser failure rate as compared to others. Only a handful of winning horses can be produced from hundreds of crosses during a lifetime. Although the qualities of both the mare and the stallion may be exceptional, genetic variations result in offsprings which are not necessarily as good as their parents. Traditional breeding art has to be combined with the modern knowledge of population as well as molecular genetics.

Some basic genetic philosophies which are pertinent to the development of a good breed include careful inbreeding structuring to obtain a balance between genetic health and performance, coordination of genetic components for a specific stamina ideal and ‘fixing’ of genetic characteristics using appropriate breeding programs (thorughbredgenetics.com). DNA based analyses of databases can determine whether horses will conform to required ideals in terms of racing potential and stamina. However winners don’t necessarily come from champion parents and exceptions have been there where champions have resulted from uncontrolled breeding.

Training of the horses is another aspect which is important in making champions out of ordinary thoroughbreds with none too illustrious bloodlines. Although thoroughbreds are judged more by performance rather than looks, attractive horses have additional advantages in terms of aesthetic appeal. Single trait selection is much easier while developing a breed as compared to an endeavor where multiple positive traits are attempted. Bays and Chestnuts are the most common colors in thoroughbreds although there have been concerted efforts to breed pintos and palominos to make the horses have more visual appeal.

The Quarter Horse Association is responsible for breeding paints and Appaloosas, which have characteristic spotting and color patterns, which were initially scoffed at by traditional breeders. Quarter and