Match Breeding - via Conformation

 

Selecting a stallion that complements your Broodmare is am important aspect of Breeding. Breeding from proven horses, whether that be on the track, or at stud, is the primary consideration for breeders, and the importance of this can never be overstated. But Thoroughbred breeding is a competitive and expensive game, and identifying additional niche factors that can give breeders an edge, can also be of paramount importance, especially for those breeders looking for value. Popular trends include line breeding, in-breeding, crosses and nicks. Significantly all of these trends are based on pedigrees, which are easily obtainable and clearly defined on paper. Perhaps due both to the lack of like wise available information , and the logistics involved for personal assessments, conformation and many other individual characteristics are generally considered only if they are considered a major flaw, as an after thought, or not as all.

Breeders will often attempt to breed major flaws out of their stock, such as conformation, mentality or speed/stamina flaws. But consider this, if you have a mare that has proven itself on the race track, with its own traits, why would you want to risk mixing its traits with an opposing type of horse whose characteristics vary greatly, and risk losing the original mix of traits that have already proved so successful on the racetrack for the mare. For example if you have a mare with speed traits that excelled as a sprinter over 1000m, and decided you would prefer a 1200 or 1400m foal from her, and took the step of having it served by a miler, the resultant foal is likely to keep some traits that may be best suited over 1000m, and others from the sire that may be better suited to middle distance races. In the end you have produced a racehorse with mixed traits that may now be unlikely to excel over any distance.

Where as, if you breed two similar types of sprinters who raced with similar styles (preferably on pace) while proving themselves on the track, the predictability of the foal is fairly high, and its more than likely to inherit traits that will suit its preferred racing style and distance. Breeding in this fashion may be referred to as a form of Pure breeding, as it aims to identify Thoroughbreds who are distinguished from other individuals, by a number of similar characteristics, with the aim of matching them for breeding to develop a type predictable, and ultimately quality foal.

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