Foundation bloodstock
Encyclopedia
Foundation bloodstock or foundation stock are horse
s that are the progenitor, or foundation, of a new horse breed or a given bloodline within a breed. The term is also used in a similar manner when discussing purebred
dog
s. A group of animals collectively may be referred to as foundation bloodstock when one breed, or group of breeds, provides the underlying genetic base for a new breed. This is particularly common in older breeds where a written stud book
was not created until after the breed phenotype
was well established.
However, other breeds can be traced to specific named animals. In these cases, a "Foundation sire
" is a stallion
or male horse who is identified as an original progenitor of the breed, and a "Foundation mare
" is a female. There are usually few foundation sires, but several mares, though in many cases, foundation mares are not always identified in old pedigree
records. In most cases, breeds that require that all members trace to specific foundation stock have a closed stud book and do not allow crossbreeding to other animals. Some breeds that may have named foundation stock but are still allowing outside bloodlines to contribute to the genetic base of the breed have at least a partially open stud book. An example of a partially open stud book is the American Quarter Horse
, which still allows limited registration of animals with one Quarter Horse parent and one Thoroughbred
parent. Many warmblood
breeds also have open stud books, where horses that are registered may be of a variety of bloodlines, but must pass a rigorous studbook selection
process.
The term "Foundation" when applied to horses also may be used to refer to animals of a phenotype
that resembles that of the original foundation stock, particularly when the modern look of the animal is different. It may also refer to animals tracing only to a select number of the oldest foundation bloodlines, particularly when newer breeding has been added that changed the original phenotype.
Some breeds, such as the Morgan horse
, have a single named foundation sire, while others, such as the Lipizzan
, may have several. In some cases, particularly very ancient horse breeds, not even all foundation sires may be known. However, in breeds with a well-documented breed registry
, nearly all foundation animals may be identified. For example there are three major foundation sires of the Thoroughbred
, and another 24 or 25 minor foundation sires, along with 74 foundation mares. An example of a breed formed by foundation stock from other breeds, but not necessarily all from named individual animals is the Hackney horse, with bloodlines contributed from Thoroughbred
and Norfolk Trotter
. In other cases, where a breed or landrace
is older than any written records, the foundation bloodstock is sometimes described by myths or legends, such as the mythical horses of Mohammad, known as Al Khamsa
or "the five," said to be the foundation mares of the Arabian horse
.
An example of a foundation bloodstock pedigree line within a breed would be the "Crabbet" lines from the Crabbet Arabian Stud
in England. These animals were bred by the same program for 92 years, were exported worldwide, and had a substantial impact on the breed. Some Arabian breeders today not only breed purebred horses, but horses descended only from this breeding program.
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s that are the progenitor, or foundation, of a new horse breed or a given bloodline within a breed. The term is also used in a similar manner when discussing purebred
Purebred
Purebreds, also called purebreeds, are cultivated varieties or cultivars of an animal species, achieved through the process of selective breeding...
dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
s. A group of animals collectively may be referred to as foundation bloodstock when one breed, or group of breeds, provides the underlying genetic base for a new breed. This is particularly common in older breeds where a written stud book
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
was not created until after the breed phenotype
Phenotype
A phenotype is an organism's observable characteristics or traits: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior...
was well established.
However, other breeds can be traced to specific named animals. In these cases, a "Foundation sire
Sire
Sire may refer to:* Father, the counterpart of a dam, particularly in animal breeding. See also stallion* James W. Sire, author on worldviews* Sire Records, a record label* Sire Advertising, an advertising agency...
" is a stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
or male horse who is identified as an original progenitor of the breed, and a "Foundation mare
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
" is a female. There are usually few foundation sires, but several mares, though in many cases, foundation mares are not always identified in old pedigree
Pedigree chart
A pedigree chart is a diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance or phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors from one generation to the next, most commonly humans, show dogs, and race horses....
records. In most cases, breeds that require that all members trace to specific foundation stock have a closed stud book and do not allow crossbreeding to other animals. Some breeds that may have named foundation stock but are still allowing outside bloodlines to contribute to the genetic base of the breed have at least a partially open stud book. An example of a partially open stud book is the American Quarter Horse
American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name came from its ability to outdistance other breeds of horses in races of a quarter mile or less; some individuals have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph...
, which still allows limited registration of animals with one Quarter Horse parent and one Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
parent. Many warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
breeds also have open stud books, where horses that are registered may be of a variety of bloodlines, but must pass a rigorous studbook selection
Studbook selection
Studbook selection is a process used in certain breeds of horses to select breeding stock. It allows a breed registry to direct the evolution of the breed towards the ideal by eliminating unhealthy or undesirable animals from the population. The removal of individuals from a population is called...
process.
The term "Foundation" when applied to horses also may be used to refer to animals of a phenotype
Phenotype
A phenotype is an organism's observable characteristics or traits: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior...
that resembles that of the original foundation stock, particularly when the modern look of the animal is different. It may also refer to animals tracing only to a select number of the oldest foundation bloodlines, particularly when newer breeding has been added that changed the original phenotype.
Some breeds, such as the Morgan horse
Morgan horse
The Morgan is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States. Tracing back to the stallion Figure, later named Justin Morgan after his best-known owner, the breed excels in many disciplines, and is known for its versatility....
, have a single named foundation sire, while others, such as the Lipizzan
Lipizzan
The Lipizzan or Lipizzaner , is a breed of horse closely associated with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, where the finest representatives demonstrate the haute école or "high school" movements of classical dressage, including the highly controlled, stylized jumps and other movements...
, may have several. In some cases, particularly very ancient horse breeds, not even all foundation sires may be known. However, in breeds with a well-documented breed registry
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
, nearly all foundation animals may be identified. For example there are three major foundation sires of the Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
, and another 24 or 25 minor foundation sires, along with 74 foundation mares. An example of a breed formed by foundation stock from other breeds, but not necessarily all from named individual animals is the Hackney horse, with bloodlines contributed from Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
and Norfolk Trotter
Norfolk Trotter
The Norfolk Trotter is an extinct horse breed once native to East Anglia and Norfolk, England. It was said to be "a large-sized trotting harness horse originating in and around Norfolk"....
. In other cases, where a breed or landrace
Landrace
A landrace is a local variety of a domesticated animal or plant species which has developed largely by natural processes, by adaptation to the natural and cultural environment in which it lives. It differs from a formal breed which has been bred deliberately to conform to a particular standard...
is older than any written records, the foundation bloodstock is sometimes described by myths or legends, such as the mythical horses of Mohammad, known as Al Khamsa
Al Khamsa
"Al Khamsa" is an Arabic term that is applied to specific Bedouin bloodlines of the Arabian horse. It roughly translates to "the five."The legend of Al Khamsa refers to the five favorite horses of the prophet Muhammad. According to this folklore, Mohammed denied his mares water for three days as a...
or "the five," said to be the foundation mares of the Arabian horse
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
.
An example of a foundation bloodstock pedigree line within a breed would be the "Crabbet" lines from the Crabbet Arabian Stud
Crabbet Arabian Stud
The Crabbet Arabian Stud, also known as the Crabbet Park Stud, was a horse breeding farm established on 2 July 1878 when the first Arabian horses brought to England by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt and Lady Anne Blunt arrived at Crabbet Park, their estate in Sussex...
in England. These animals were bred by the same program for 92 years, were exported worldwide, and had a substantial impact on the breed. Some Arabian breeders today not only breed purebred horses, but horses descended only from this breeding program.
See also
- Breed registryBreed registryA breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
- Dog breedingDog breedingDog breeding is the practice of mating selected specimens with the intent to maintain or produce specific qualities and characteristics.Dogs reproduce without human interference, so their offsprings' characteristics are determined by natural selection. Domestic dogs may be intentionally bred by...
- Closed stud book
- Horse breedingHorse breedingHorse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
- Thoroughbred breeding theoriesThoroughbred breeding theoriesThoroughbred horse breeding theories run the gamut from the more common careful statistical analyses to the fanciful and the superstitious. The dream of the next legendary racehorse arising from the perfect pairing of sire and dam motivates the manager both for potential financial gain and for...