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(Date Posted:05/28/2006 8:01 PM)
The KMA was formed in 1988,and here we are almost 20 years later still trying to define the description of the Kiger horse.If members will take the time to visit the Rocky Mountain Horse (RMH) web site www.rmhorse.comthere is much to be learned about this successful registry. This registry is very similar in that they were established in 1986, they started with a very small group of horses (30+),a group of 12 people, they had an open stud book for 3 years allowing in undocumented horses of Rocky Mountain type, they then closed their stud book in 1989.The RMH breed association is a prime example of a very successful registry.Look at how many members they have, at the number of horses registered, and mostly the income that they bring into their organization.How were they able to do this?For one thing, their energies are being put into promotion and marketing and they are not arguing over what the RMH type should be.This was established when they first formed and remained in stone.Their statement is as follows:?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />"Breeders of any breed need to be aware of type and what it is. Within every breed some individuals are going to be born that are "off type." The fate of these individuals has an important impact on the fate of the breed. If these animals are heralded and used widely as breeding stock, the breed's type will slowly erode until the original breed is unrecognizable. If, on the other hand, "off type" individuals are culled from breeding, then the original type can be preserved. ""From TYPE ASSESSMENTThe Importance of Type in Rocky Mountain Horses D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD"This type of success is what the KMA should be striving for.Instead of wasting so much energy on defining the Kiger horse, and ultimately changing the Kiger horse, the KMA needs to put their energy into promoting and marketing the Kiger horse. There are many good talented people within the KMA that are willing to help make this happen.The first step to accomplish this needs to be by creating a professional registry that is more in line with other successful registries.By separating the registry, the Kiger horse will be protected, the breed standard of perfection will never be jeopardized, and energies can then be targeted at developing marketing strategies for increasing the interest of the Kiger to horse enthusiasts around the world, increasingmembership, developing successful fund raising endeavors,and increasing camaraderie among Kiger horse owners.The KMA should exist as an organization of horse owners and enthusiasts dedicated to the promotion and development of uses for the Kiger horse for example, endurance rides, working cattle, pleasure riding, English riding, horse camping, etc.The members should be more involved in fun related events that will further promote the Kiger horse.Betty LinnellA True believer of the Kiger Mustang horse!
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Three Creeks Ranch
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Double L Kigers www.doublelkigerranch.com | 
