When delving into the world of horse breeding and bloodlines, understanding the specific terminology used is crucial. The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and other pedigree experts employ a unique language to describe equine ancestry, which can be initially confusing to newcomers. This article aims to demystify these terms, providing clear definitions and proper usage for commonly encountered words in pedigree discussions. Whether you’re studying sale catalog pages, consulting on breeding, or simply want to better understand your horse’s lineage, this glossary will serve as a valuable resource.
Key Terminology in Equine Pedigrees
The language of pedigrees, much like the various disciplines within the horse industry, has its own set of specialized terms. Here, we define some of the fundamental words and phrases used when discussing a horse’s ancestry.
Sire and Dam
- Sire: The father of a horse.
- Dam: The mother of a horse.
Production and Siring
- To produce: A mare produces foals.
- To sire: Stallions sire foals. It’s important to note that stallions do not “produce” foals; they “sire” them.
Out of and By
- A horse is always out of a mare (its dam) and by a stallion (its sire). For example, Hollywood Dun It is by Hollywood Jac 86 (his sire) and out of Blossom Berry (his dam).
Siblings
- Half-sister or Half-brother: This term refers exclusively to horses that share the same dam. Horses that have the same sire but different dams are not considered half-siblings.
- Brother or Sister: These terms indicate that the horses have the same sire and dam, meaning they are full siblings in blood. For instance, stating “Dry Doc, brother to Doc O’Lena,” signifies that Dry Doc is a full brother to Doc O’Lena.
Maternal Ancestry
- Broodmare sire or Dam’s sire: This refers to the sire of a horse’s dam, essentially the horse’s maternal grandfather.
Ancestral Lines
- Tail male line: This is a listing of a horse’s male ancestry, tracing through its sire. For example, a tail male line for Hollywood Dun It might read: Hollywood Dun It is by Hollywood Jac 86, by Easter King, by King, by Zantanon, by Little Joe, by Traveler.
- Tail female line: This lists a horse’s female ancestry, tracing through its dam. For the same horse, Hollywood Dun It, the tail female line would be: out of Blossom Berry, out of Regina Bella, out of Tina Regina, out of Little Dunny 2, out of Anna’s Little Dunny, out of Anna Wilkens.
Generations of Dams
- First dam, Second dam, Third dam, etc.: The first dam is the horse’s mother. The second dam is the mother of the horse’s mother (maternal grandmother). The third dam is the maternal grandmother of the horse’s mother (maternal great-grandmother), and so on. This always refers to the tail female line.
Pedigree Sides
- Top side: This is informal slang referring to the sire’s side of a pedigree page.
- Bottom side: This is slang for the dam’s side of a pedigree page.
Breed Influence Terms
- Blue hen: A mare that has had a significant and lasting, multigenerational impact on a breed, typically through both male and female descendants. Notable Quarter Horse examples include Royal Blue Boon in cutting disciplines and Do Good in racing.
Understanding Breeding Strategies
Beyond basic familial terms, breeders and enthusiasts discuss specific breeding strategies and outcomes.
Genetic Relationships
- Inbreeding: This practice involves breeding closely related individuals.
- Inbreeding quotient: These numbers quantify how often a horse traces back to the same ancestor. In a genetic pedigree, the first generation includes the horse’s sire and dam. For example, if a horse is described as having an inbreeding quotient of “2×2 to Joe Reed,” it means Joe Reed appears twice in the second generation (as a grandparent) of that horse’s pedigree. Leo, for instance, is by Joe Reed II (by Joe Reed P-3) and out of Little Fanny (also by Joe Reed P-3). Joe Reed II and Little Fanny are Leo’s first generation (parents), making Joe Reed P-3 appear in Leo’s second generation (grandparents) twice.
- Linebreeding: This involves breeding individuals that are distantly related, typically with common ancestors appearing further back than the fourth generation. Learn more about linebreeding here.
- Outcross: This refers to breeding two unrelated individuals, or individuals whose common ancestor, if any, is very far back in their respective pedigrees. This strategy is often employed to introduce new genetic diversity and potentially achieve hybrid vigor. Learn more about outcrosses and hybrid vigor here.
Successful Crossings
- Nick: A “nick” occurs when specific bloodlines consistently produce outstanding performers when crossed together. These successful pairings often remain effective through several generations, with a stallion’s sons and grandsons working well on another stallion’s daughters and granddaughters. Learn more about nicking here.
How to Read a Horse’s Pedigree
Pedigree charts typically present information in a standardized format. For instance, a pedigree like “Freightrain B-Sinuous by Mr Jess Perry” indicates Freightrain B as the sire, Sinuous as the dam, and Mr Jess Perry as the dam’s sire. Remember that a horse is “by” its sire and “out of” its dam.
In Quarter Horse pedigrees, the sire is generally displayed on the top, and the dam on the bottom. The pedigree reads from left to right, with each successive generation branching out. The dam’s mother is referred to as the second dam, her mother as the third dam, and so forth, always tracing the tail female line.
Accessing Pedigree Information
Official organizations and specialized services provide valuable resources for pedigree research. The American Quarter Horse Association offers free pedigree records for its members. Additionally, detailed pedigree research reports are available from QData through services like Robin Glenn’s website. Understanding these terms is the first step towards appreciating the rich history and potential of equine bloodlines.
