Abraxas Moonshine
(Abraxas Moonstruk x Abraxas Maar Hala)
Abraxas Moonshine
(Abraxas Moonstruk x Abraxas Maar Hala)
By Oliver Wibihal & Gregor Wimmer
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Debra
Nowak ist one of the best-known breeders of straight Egyptian horses in
the United States. The "Abraxas" prefix stands for horses
that win championships in both performance and halter classes.
Breeding
Arabian Horses is an art, isn't it? When
I was a young child I felt every horse on the planet was beautiful. I
collected every photo possible of Arabians to decorate my bedroom. As
time passed I started to ask questions about where certain attributes of
horses good or bad came from and how. My first introduction was from a breeder that knew more about horses and breeding than I could ever hope to know at that time. I asked her a question about a certain line that they were phasing out of their program. I asked why? She said because a certain stallion bred a bad front leg and he was dominant in producing this with his offspring. That was my first introduction to horses' traits and how they carry through a herd. This was the hidden part of the art form. I decided this was something I really needed to learn about. And believe me: It is a key element in horse breeding. I started studying about genetics, a very intense subject! To
achieve the art form is the goal - to want perfection is the challenge We feel
the breeder should have definite goals in mind when selecting breeding stock.
These goals are toward creating a type of horse whose characteristics will be useful
and desirable in generations now and later. The value of any breeding
system depends on careful analysis of a breeder's goal. Success depends on
factors of planning, using good foundation stock and emphasis on culling.
Balance (harmony) is the first consideration when evaluating a horse. Each part should blend with the next and all parts should look like they belong to the same animal. Overall balance and type should blend together. To
enjoy the rewards of breeding, you have to study
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structure,
how pedigrees influence a mating, the genetics of horse breeding and what I
call "in the woodpile", the hidden genetic factors (good and bad)
that make up each horse. Remember: Function to follow form. The knowledge of
learning how to blend desirable
characteristics with success is the
true "art" of breeding.
Name
one breeder of the past you always wanted to talk with. What would you
like to ask?
Tell
us about your most exciting equine encounter.
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