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Conformation VS Talent

6K views 36 replies 25 participants last post by  EveningShadows 
#1 ·
There have been a lot of good threads lately, so I thought I'd open a new discussion!

What do you believe is more important - conformation or talent? Would you forsake a champion stallion that had conformation faults? Would you forsake a conformationally sound stallion if he hadn't proven himself? What do you find is more important?

I say this because I think at times with the equine industry in the US anyway, often a stellar stallion with a lot to offer may be overlooked based on conformation alone. There are definately certain conformation faults we all tend to view as definitive no-no's, regardless of how talented the stud may have been. But is conformation really as important as proven worth? There are a multitude of talented champions in the world today, that most people would probably have looked at as foals and never thought they'd amount to a hill of beans due to certain imperfections. Should that be the deciding factor in not breeding an animal? How many horses have had ideal conformation and yet amounted to absolutely nothing - as a show horse, or as a breeding animal?

Very curious to hear opinions!
 
#36 ·
Everyone is looking for the "Majic". Some look for it in bloodlines, some in conformation, some in training. The "majic" is a result of all three.

Conformation insures that the horse is physically capable to perform the tasks required. Talent--or a great mind--insures that the horse can process the training and have the willingness to do what is asked. Training insures that the horse is given the best opportunity to unleash the "majic".

Breeders breed horses hoping for the combination of conformation, a great mind and looks. Breeders who specialize in breeding for a specific task use bloodlines as the basis for all of their decisions. Some try to find the "majic" in tried and true crosses but the money is in creating a new cross and capitalizing on it by either owning the stud or the mares. It is a big business and for sure the small guy is at a huge disadvantage in the game.

For all of us "small guys" we need to be extremely prudent in our choices as it the the baby who will pay the price if we are wrong.
 
#37 ·
^^^ I like your way of thinking.

Talent can make you overlook a horse being slightly cow hocked, a high set neck can be worked through with a good trainer. You don't NEED a conformational work of genious to have the "top horse" if the talent and training beats out any small flaws they have.
 
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