Ask any breeder, trainer, or rider what makes a great horse, and you’re bound to hear some version of this age-old debate: Is it nature, or is it nurture? Do elite horses rise to the top because of the blood in their veins—or the hands that raise and guide them?
For decades, breeders have worked to stack the odds in their favor by utilizing superior bloodlines and selectively breeding for traits such as athleticism, temperament, and conformation. But even the best genetics can be derailed by mismanagement. And, as two experts explain, sometimes nurture holds more power than we think.
Dr. Stephen Coleman, an equine geneticist at Colorado State University, and Dr. Grant Finley, a practicing veterinarian specializing in breeding and performance horses at Vetwerx Equine, offered their insights on…
