Answers to Questions on pg. 99

1) What's Your Project? What do you want to accopmplish in this essay?

I want to firmly describe my goals for my research project, which are to find out more on how genetics affects equine behavior. In turn, I want to see how people (members of the Equestrian Club) look at horses' behavior and select them for riding. I hope to explain clearly how I will conduct my research and collect and analyze my data. From it, I will conclude which breeds the club members prefer, based on the horses' lineage and abilities. So overall, my project is to study the direct effect of breeding and genetics on peoples' choices of horses for certain activities.

2) What Works? How can you build on the strengths of your draft?

I have a pretty good basic outline, and a nice introduction. I have several key points that I know I want to get across, so instead of repeating them in the conclusion, I'll try to really use them at the beginning of my draft. From this, I hope other ideas will begin flowing and that I will be able to elaborate and extend these points throughout the proposal.

3) What Else Might Be Said? How might you acknowledge other views and possibilites?

I realize that not much research has been done in this area, so I'm not really familiar with multiple stances. But I suppose it might be said that breeding doesn't matter when choosing a horse for an activity; most horses could be trained as multi-purpose animals; a common quarter horse could be used for showing just as much as for trail riding and do quite well in the show; it doesn't matter in every case; there's been no problem so far with our current knowledge; breed need not be considered so acutely. This is true in a sense, although I still don't think that a Miniature Pony would win the Triple Crown. Nor would an Arabian/Mustang mix would be the best choice for a "pony ride." I maintain that to a large extent, breed needs to be considered when selecting a horse.

4) What's Next? What are the implications of what you have to say?

This is a very important topic in the horse world. And while there is some basic knowledge and logic used when choosing a horse for a ride, I believe the horse world would benefit from more research in the area of genetics and behavior. Breeders could "custom make" a horse type to fit a certain need, and do it more acurately than they could now. Horse buyers could look at a chart of the horse's lineage and obtain a far better idea of how he may behave, and if he would suit his rider's needs. Further knowledge in this area would present a safer riding environment, wiser and more effective choices when buying/breeding, and a more successful horse industry all-around.