Genetics Talk

Since dipping my toes into the Futurity scene south of the border, you could say I’ve had a very steep learning curve. But one key point on that curve is GENETICS. 

Genetics is a science that is currently being mastered, by several breeding programs. 

First off all, I’m going to talk stallions. Here it goes, they make a leading sire list for a reason, because those are proven producers. Now they are doing a leading sire list per year, which allows us to monitor the up and coming stallions. 

So let’s start with saying you have a prospect by dash ta fame who is a well known, established sire. By being directly sired by dash ta fame, that prospect has 50% blood of dash ta fame himself, so similar traits, habits, ability, etc. 

Now let’s say you breed a mare to a son of dash ta fame. (There are several standout sons who are becoming proven producers as well). But the prospect you are getting by breeding to a son of, only has 25% DNA of dash ta fame. 

And again, when you get to breed to a son of a son of dash ta fame, that prospect is only 12.5% DNA of dash ta fame. 

And so you get the trend. Every time you get another generation away, you dilute the bloodline. 

Now let’s talk mare power. The quality of the mare you breed, also affects the potential of the prospect. Remember the stud is GREAT but he’s only 50% of the final product. 

So below we have a few made up options.

Option A- proven money earner, out of a direct proven sire. 

Option B- a mare that is 12.5% of a leading proven sire DNA 

Option C- a heins 47. There could be something familiar 4 or 5 generations back. 

And back to the prospect, when you cross a leading sire, to a proven money earner and/or producing mare, you significantly INCREASE your odds of creating a quality high end prospect. This is not a guarantee, as things do happen outside of our control, but anytime you can increase your odds of success, you have to take notice.

I must add right now, that this does not eliminate the “under dog” who does not have any thing “brand name” on their papers. Those horses exist, and are amazing and unique when they appear. But what I am saying, is the percentage ratio of under dogs is significantly smaller than the proven statistics of those from a leading sire. If you need proof of that ratio, look at the NFR qualifier horse list. The same trend happens at the futurities, a high percentage of the “winners” are off of leading established sires. 

And the bottom line is you still need a program to develop these prospects to the best of their ability. 

So the silent advice I’m trying to preach, is to not be afraid to make a larger purchase that you normally would in order to get a better quality prospect. I understand that not everyone can afford a son/daughter of a leading sire, but maybe you have two Heinz 47’s and can upgrade to one great grand generation big name. 

In the end, an upgrade, can also be an upgrade on your finished product. And when we are dealing with rodeo and futurity horses at an elite level, you need to become breed specific. 

On the breed specific topic, it’s been tried and tested in cowhorses. They have managed to breed the “instinct” into them. 

I also think you need to take a minute and decide what you would like for a final result in your prospect. Where do you want to compete with this animal? Locally? Amateur? Divisional? Professional? 

Also before you breed to a leading sire or purchase a prospect, have a look at what you are getting. Ask other trainers or competitors about their styles, personality traits, where they excel (inside, outside or both), quirks, and soundness back ground. Personally I prefer bloodlines that have a history of wanting to turn, and then worry about adding the speed in over time. On a competitive level it suits me, as I like to be able to hustle into a turn and have the confidence to know they will want to turn every time. However, every one is different, and for other riders, a free runner fits them a lot better, and they can focus on creating a style of turn and not installing a run button. 

I personally want elite athletes, so I try to save my pesos and get quality prospects. Sometimes I need to sacrifice mare power, or go to grand generations in order to afford that prospect. But in the end I try to purchase the most quality prospect for the money I’m spending. 

I hope you enjoyed this read! Stay tuned for next week. 

“If you remain in me, and my words in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” John 15:7