Re: RC: endurance prospect

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/4/00 9:14:09 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com writes:

<< The rider and training are vital parts, but no horse can do better than 
its 
 genetic potential.  (Worse, certainly, but not better.)  As for 
 bloodlines--it all depends on how you define "nice"--fame in the glossy 
 magazines doesn't do a thing to "improve" the actual genetic potential that 
a 
 given ancestor has (or does not have) to offer.  The conformation, metabolic 
 capability, and that all-so-important "heart" are inborn--all of that comes 
 from ancestors.  If you are "surprised" by what you get, all that means is 
 that you didn't know those ancestors very well after all.
 
 Heidi >>


The whole point of conditioning is to alter "gene expression".  Drive a 
Ferrari at 55MPH for a year and you've altered its gene expression downward 
dramatically. Set up a Chevy Nova for racing and you've altered its gene 
experession to blow the Ferrari off the track. The offspring of Jesse Owens 
and Johnny Weismuller are not winning the Olympics these days, nor are their 
training methods. 15 year old girls can outperform either of their world 
records--in practice, in multiple heats. The reason has nothing to do with 
genetics--conditioning, nutrition, sometimes drugs. 

In the years to come in equine endurance sport, it's going to be a different 
type of horse that wins. If you don't care about winning, then stick with 
tradition. 

ti