The OUTCROSS...do we need it ? Where do YOU think it will come from ?

As most of us realize,in both the Quarter Horse performance and the Quarter Horse racing industries there is obviously a preponderance of one or two families being heavily used in linebreeding programs. For the sake of today's post let's concentrate more on the performance horse side of the breeding. Take a look at the sale catalogs from any of the last few NCHA Futurity Sales and it's obvious that the majority of the horses that are listed come from mainly one line of one family of horses...granted these horses are incredibly athletic and very trainable (as a general rule) however they also concentrate some negative aspects into the gene pool (and I'm not merely referring to Herda, but also physical unsoundnesses).
The issues are... do YOU think we need some new blood, and WHERE do you think it should come from? The Thoroughbred race horse? The AQHA race horse? Or a different line of proven AQHA performers forgotten when the Doc Bar craze took over? ...first let me admit I'm a big fan of the race horses, from both breeds, BUT we have to remember the MOST important trait of the Quarter Horse performance horse, the thing that every maneuver either starts with, or includes is the STOP... How much of the stop are we going to sacrifice with the straight race horse and what are the odds of picking the one particular family that will not only have stop, but will pass it on ?

So here's the question... or questions for you...Do you think we need an outcross ?(if not, why?)...Where do you think it would best come from,of the three examples I mentioned ? Do you have a suggestion for a prospective outcross other than the three I mentioned ?

How soon will the Stimulus Package have an effect on the horse industry?

We all know,it's a simple fact of economic life if you're in the horse business...when things get tight,people cut back on luxuries.(While for a lot of us they are a necessity,a way of life etc we have to remember that to a large number of our clientele,horses are a luxury).Being a "little" older than my bride,I remember playing poker 2 nights per week to get money for gas and food during the major gas shortage.

Personally I feel the President's Economic Stimulus Package is a good move...but how long before we see a benefit at this economic level?

An Oaken Playgun Will Stand At Oasis Ranch

Rock Hedlund called us and asked us to stand a stallion for his client, Mike Willey. After taking a look at the website www.anoakenplaygun.com, and talking to the owner, we decided An Oaken Playgun would be a good addtion to the Oasis Ranch stallion roster. An Oaken Playgun will arrive around February 1st and after settling in at Oasis Ranch and having his semen checked, will continue training and being shown by Rock Hedlund. He has already earned over $43,000 and has some great cutting photos on his website.

Broodmare Update

We vaccinated broodmares today as we get ready for breeding season. Our first mares to foal are: The Best Nic (bred to Yellow Roan Of Texas), a daughter of Reminic that has had multiple foals by Yellow Roan Of Texas that are very fancy; Plain Cute Sugar (bred to Yellow Roan Of Texas), dam of the AQHA World Show third place Junior Working Cow Horse, Misters Brown Sugar; Miss Pepsugar (bred to A Cowboy At Heart); and a recipient mare with an embryo from Anuther Great Lena (by Yellow Roan Of Texas).

In preparation for foaling the mares were vaccinated for tetanus, sleeping sickness, flu, rabies, and west nile virus. We also like to vaccinate for strangles but the internasal vaccine in not recommended for broodmares and we are trying to track down an injectable strangles vaccine.

Stallion Update

We have been collecting the new stallions and we are happy to report that Imacockadoodledude and ARC Matt Olena both will ship really well. Blessed Twice and Im Chairman will be collected next week. All the other stallions standing at Oasis Ranch are already proven to have excellent shipped semen.

"Dude" will go back into training and will show at the Arizona Sun Circuit before coming back to Oasis Ranch for breeding season.

Another New Stallion For 2009

Kristi Locatelli's stallion, Imacockadoodledude, will breed his first mares in 2009. He has a long list of wins including the 2008 Non-Pro Hackamore Class at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity and placing in the top ten in both the 2008 AQHA World Show Amateur Working Cow Horse and the 2008 AQHA World Show Amateur Reining. He will be shown at Sun Circuit and then will arrive at Oasis Ranch after that.

Fall Pregnancy Checks and Artificial Lighting

It is time to pregnancy check mares to make sure they are still in foal. It is also time to put any open mares under lights. The artificially extended daylight should be for 16 hours. We run our timer from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm, although we turn off the lights and turn the mares out for the daytime unless the weather is bad. Mares under an aritificial lighting program should begin cycling after being under lights for 60 days.