Why Science Matters

Breeding sporthorses is a combination of art and science. Different breeders will apply their skill and background to create a sporthorse based on their desired result. Some want power for jumping where others may want size and big movements. Not everyone has a scientific background in genetics so they use history, collective knowledge, and prior personal experience to create what they hope will be a successful foal.

Unless you are cloning, you will not know your end result. Extensive knowledge of your phenotype contributions, ie. the sire and the mare, will give you a good idea but how do you know what traits from each will be expressed? This is where epigenetics becomes important. Intense study and databasing phenotypic profiles from sires is required in order to determine what traits dominantly translate to his offspring. This is the unseen work of my breeding program.

I have dedicated 100’s of hours studying and recording the phenotypic profiles of offspring from chosen sires that demonstrate characteristics I want in my foals. This is why ranking desired characteristics is so important, as well as knowledge of the available gene pool. A healthy anatomically correct foal goes without saying, but we take that a step farther. Each pairing has been scientifically analyzed to maximize a successful outcome for intelligence, desire to please, & rideability with the goal of reaching FEI levels of sport.