>>> Talking of hair/manes etc, the horse in the attached photo got 7.5 for her >>> mane. An >>> average mark. Why? Because it's not on both sides of her neck. Now, the way >>> most >>> people get the mane to go on both sides is to plait it over and fasten it >>> with a neck >>> cover until just before the show, which is of course SURE to be inherited >>> by any >>> foal...
Yep, that's how genetics work - not. My first suspicion would be simply that her owner wasn't greasing the pockets of the judges enough, or wasn't one of the "cool kids".. or maybe the owner wasn't shopping for horses from the judge's cronies. It's very disturbing to me to see how tight the little community is. I've seen cases where the judges stay at the homes of owners of horses they are judging...when, surprise, surprise, the owners horses score VERY well. Duh. Yep, that's how genetics work - NOT! Some of the worst legs I've seen on an Icelandic were on a recently imported stallion who got about 7.5-8's on his leg scores. He was narrow-based with cow- and sickle-hocks, and he toed out in front. Yet, 7.5 and 8 are average and above scores. No way should we consider those legs "average" when we DO have plenty of good legs in the breed. No wonder we have bone spavin in the breed. Karen Thomas, NC
