Feelings About Cross Breeding?

[Margo at Three Fold Farm]

How do people feel about cross breeding? It seems it is happening some in Canada, especially to QH. With the breed still being considered "rare" or "endangered," are people/associations strongly against this?

Having bred QH, I understand the economic importance of staying "pure." But, having ridden many crosses (some good, some not), I understand the benefits of that as well.

What are the benefits of crossbreeding a Canadien? What are the draw backs?

[Susan Drover]

I remember a discussion about this on the Yahoo board a while back, and it was suggested that instead of having reg. Canadian mares bred to something other than a Canadian, it would be better to have a reg. Canadian stallion breed outside mares. Since a mare can only have one foal a year, whereas a stallion can produce many in a season, this would have less impact on the number of reg. Canadians.

One interesting note, though: the Canadian has enough variation within the breed that I don't necessarily feel that crossing outside the breed is needed in order to achieve certain desirable traits. For example, we already have pony Canadians, big drafty Canadians, slighter elegant Canadians, and traditional compact Canadians. It seems to me that for the most part, one could already find nearly anything they want with a fully registered horse! By the way, please understand that aside from being an observer, I know NOTHING about breeding, lol!

[melissa backholm]

I say NO NO NO!!!! Leave a good thing alone. But thats my opinion.

[Terry Olmstead]

I agree,you can find any body type for what ever disipline you want. I have been asked this before what I thought about crossing a canadian and a quarter horse and I said it would definitly improve the QH. I did at one time have a Canadian/welsh pony, she was something!!! I should have never sold her. I will be looking for a new horse but I won't be going away from my canadians.

[Rebecca Pedigo]

My favorite cross breed was a Canadian QH and he was beautiful. I tend to stay pure on my farm but I do like some of the cross breeds I have seem. I also saw a farm out west that crossed between Canadian and Fox Trotter. Seemed like a well thought out cross and they had good reasons for crossing the two breeds. They were developing a better ranch, long day in the saddle horse. The Candain gave the Fox Trotter bone substane and the Fox Trotter gave the Canadian a smoother gate

[Jayme Bizoso]

Hi Everyone, I absolutely agree about not breeding Canadian mares to other breeds. I also agree that whatever you may want, there is probably a Canadian that can fill the bill. Having said that, and as new breeder, I often look at horses competing and see common traits...many not desirable (flighty temperaments, bad feet, not enough athleticism for the sport they are in). Then I see amateur riders, many of whom are 40+, who are on horses that are way to much for them. Then I think, that is why I bought a Canadian...he has it all.

Then I thought, well maybe his genes crossed with an outside breed (in my case I have TB mares and one Azteca) would produce a baby with all of his good stuff and the height and elegance of the TB's (I'll talk about the Azteca in a minute)....so I did it. The result is fabulous...I have 2 spectacular babies on the ground that are 8 weeks old, a filly and a colt. The Azteca mare to be bred to Mark is very Spanish looking, and the cross should be lovely and she offers height and the "float" to the mix.

My hope is that the babies will be dressage/eventing/jumping/cde horses that will be beautiful, as well as, structurally and temperamentally suitable to the amateur rider who wants to compete without the price tag, often tough mindedness, and feeding costs that come with warmbloods.

And more great news...I am getting a fabulous Canadian mare, Mainguy Bismark Johannie from Five Winds Canadians in British Columbia. She will come bred to their stallion, Prince, in November after she weans her current baby.

Just my 2 cents, Jayme

[Liza Howell]

Personally, I was attracted to the breed because of the possibility of finding what I wanted (a horse with good bone and substance and reasonable float for dressage as well as a good personality). Part of the conisistency in temperment etc. is the result of very little outcrossing. As I understand it, the Cnd's have few problems medically and w/ feet etc. is the result of purity. Crossing puts a load on the horse's system that some people don't anticipate. Bones grow too fast etc. So not messing with a good thing is the way to go in my opionion.

Liza

[melissa backholm]

i liked the way you put it. you are very right. BRAVO