It's All Relative
Equus, September 1998
Submitted by Cindi Nakagawa

You thought your family reunion this summer was confusing? Sorting out equine relations can be just as challenging, given the protocols of "pedigree speak." Here's a quick course in the terms of equine brotherhood (all of which apply to sisterly relationships as well.)

• Full brothers are by the same sire and out of the same dam.
  
  
• Half brothers are out of the same dam but by different sires. In human relationships, all children of one father, even though born to different mothers, are half siblings, but this inclusive use of the term does not apply to horses. The more limited application of this term for horses gives full credit to the broodmare's genetic contribution while avoiding the endlessly extended "brotherhood" of horses sired by prolific studs. Use the phrase "by the same sire" when referring to horses fathered by the same stallion but out of different dams.
  
  
• Brothers in blood are by the same sire (but) out of full sisters, or by full brothers (and) out of the same dam, or any other combination that involves exactly the same blood on both sides.

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