At issue

BY HOPE ELLIS-ASHBURN

A potentially troubling trend toward specialization in the stock horse breeds may mean the end of the all-around horse.

lthough some breeds have always been known as specialists, several decades ago, it was easy enough to find one horse to satisfy the multi-faceted needs of a family. On one weekend, this horse could be found carrying Mom down the trail, while the next weekend, two children were successfully competing him in both western and English classes at a show.

For some breeds, a shift toward specialization began to occur in the 1980s that saw horses bred to compete in specific disciplines rather than in the majority of classes at a show. For those with an interest in competing at the highest levels, it became necessary to have a different horse for each discipline.