ridecamp@endurance.net: yet more about Standarbreds

yet more about Standarbreds

Gina (epona@xtalwind.net)
Sat, 9 Aug 1997 12:06:47 -0400 (EDT)

I would like to remind anyone who is not out riding today to watch the
Hambletonian ...this is the finest race for Standardbreds in the world and
the pinnacle for which their breeders aspire.
These are fine athletes and I hope my remarks haven't led anyone on this
list to think I am against any breed. There is a fabulous old book called
Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer. It is one of the most thorough
and intelligently written handbooks I have ever read. I kept my issue for
years and finally donated it to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeder and Ownes
Assoc. Library because it was such a useful resource not only for SB people
but for all people involved in conditioning athletes.

While nosing through some of my other books I came across this quote from "
The Book of Horses and Horsemanship" written by Jeffrey Griffen. "The only
peculiarity about Hambletonian was that he stood two inches higher at the
rump than at the withers."The trotting pitch " everyone called it , and for
years they believed that this was what produced the great lengths of stride
and the immense propulsive power".

Another great world champion Greyhound was measured to have an amazing 27
foot stride stood a full four inches taller at the rump than at the withers.
He was very very inbred to Hambletonian and therefore also *Messenger and it
is in this family that you may see this TENDENCY appear.

I'm afraid I will always think like a breeder after 15+ years of helping
many others get involved in Arabians and coaching our County Youth horse
judging team and judging horeshows myself as well as standing 2 stallions at
stud. I may be (God forbid! ) set in my ways , hopefully I will never become
too old or too stubborn to learn something new.

Thanks for letting me rant

Gina

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