Immerse yourself in the world of Quarter Horse breeding as Dr. Wayne Burwash illuminates its evolution, contemporary issues and future prospects. Sharing his journey that began with love for horses in his dairy farm upbringing, Dr. Burwash's vast experience in the industry since the 1970s provides listeners with unparalleled perspective and insight. Explore the shift from all-around performance horses to discipline-specific selection, and how this has impacted horse soundness and longevity. Understand the challenges around horse health, and how modern pressures on athletic ability and aesthetics have influenced breeding practices. Delve into the controversial practice of breeding with shipped and frozen semen and its inadvertent contribution to soundness issues due to lax conformational examination of breeding stock. The conversation also covers the significant role of the veterinary industry in horse soundness, the rise in early-onset joint issues, and the value of advanced diagnostic tools in slowing down degenerative processes. From performance to breeding decision-making, listen to discussions on choosing the perfect stallion based on disposition, conformation, movement, and pedigree. Learn about the impact of genetic diseases on the mating process, and how breed associations are proactively identifying and testing genetic traits for improved breeding decisions.This enlightening podcast episode offers a comprehensive view of the Quarter Horse breeding industry. Discover Dr. Burwash's life-long relationship with horses and his influential roles within various equine bodies. As the episode concludes, he shares intimate details of his personal journey and how his late wife, Shannon, shaped his life and career within the horse industry. Whether you're an equine enthusiast, breeder or simply a horse lover, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge and insights into the complex, intriguing world of Quarter Horse breeding.
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