Let us define terms. Faults we understand as any issue that may be lethal, impede function, superficial flaws, or stand against the breed standard. For this thought experiment, I’d like to focus on the issues that are superficial. I will further define those issues as follows. A horse with an ewe neck that is not severe, but noticeable. Such an animal can safely and successfully go onto a lifelong career. A short hip, little long in the back, a shorter neck are things that for this experiment will be deemed superficial.There are numerous other superficial flaws. It is understood that while some issues can cause irreparable issues to the longevity and use of a horse, we focus on only the superficial ones and levels of certain issues.

If we are, in fact, breeding for the good of the breed over the long-term how do we measure our risk factors? Bloodlines are important.Horses are impacted by the economy, environment, and life just as much as people. Some lines thrive and others dwindle. We decide it is worth it to bring back a bloodline or cultivate a new one. Temperament can measure whether a horse even gets bred at all (insert laughter due to well-placed joke). In this day and age, while we do have ways around temperament in our horses, we do not breed solely for ourselves, but promotion of the breed. Then there is the question of what the breed as a whole needs to continue into the future and not die out.

These are factors that include a deal of risk and future-forward thinking. How breeders weigh each of these factors and the risks associated will vary for each individual. We can look at a pedigree and love an animal. We can over-look a pedigree and fall for a sweet temperament. Conformation flaws can be overlooked as well. Yet, each of these factors can be “under-looked”. We can dislike a particular temperament, pedigree, or flaw and still breed the animal. There is wiggle room in some instances, the question is defining that wiggle room. It is finding those times when one factor is so worth the risk and chance that we try anyway because it simply is worth it. Then we have to question and define what “worth” is.

Worth is a harder term to define, therefore, I do digress to the original question: at what point do the following factors faults that don’t impede function and are superficial, bloodline, temperament, and the breed’s needs dictate a horse’s breed-ability?