Important Facts About Horse Pedigrees
Horse pedigrees are basically the family tree of your purebred equine. They are critical in not only proving the pure bloodlines of your horse’s origins, but are used to control double breeding and to prevent inbreeding. Horse pedigrees date back as far as the 8th century in such early breeds as the Arabian and the Andalusian. Later, designer breeds such as the Thoroughbred were perfected by careful crossbreeding until the desired conformations and lines were achieved by the cream of the crop. These exemplary horses were then bred against each other to solidify the blood origins of the breed.
Today, such relatively new crosses as the Morab can earn horse pedigrees, as the promise and popularity of this Arabian and Morgan mix has proven itself a safe and worthy one. Official blood line papers are only available from the associations and clubs which are founded for that particular breed. In other words, one cannot apply for registration of a Quarter Horse at The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Registry. Breeds must be recognized by their perspective associations as specified by the unanimous characteristics and distinct historical lines of that breed.
Registration of pedigreed, purebred horses costs a bit of money, and there are usually time limits imposed as to the birth and/or purchase and breeding of an animal. This is especially true with the breeds who are in high demand and whose bloodlines are imperative to their carrying on, both professionally and in the maternal and paternal senses. Basically, the more expensive and talented a horse is, the more valuable his pedigree becomes.
An important point on this subject is the possibility of a surprise success with a more obscure breeding attempt. What this means, for example, is that your mare may be a descendant of Secretariat himself, but the unproductive crossings of her predecessors placed them out of the running as quality race horses. She is still pedigreed, but in a much less rigorous category as her immaculate forefather was. If she should, however, carry a recessive gene which throws an amazing champion foal, her bloodline, and those of her offspring, will become much more valuable. For this reason, along with the ones aforementioned, up-to-date and officially registered horse pedigrees are an absolute must.