Conformation Clinic # 10 ~ Arabian (cross) Mare

astablehand · 03-12-2006, 10:33 PM

Before you respond with a critique, please make sure you thoroughly understand the guidelines. If you haven't already done so, please read them here:

http://forum.horsetopia.com/viewtopic.php?t=5936

Also, please forego comments such as "He sure is pretty." Or "I like him a lot". The participants here are looking for technical critiques.

Time for our next Conformation Clinic candidate!

Breed: Arabian (may possibly have some QH too)

Sex: Mare

Age: 5 years old

Hight: 14.1hh

Other Information: She is mostly used for trail riding, but I am interested in barrel racing/gaming.

Have fun, and critique away!

**TDH** · 03-13-2006, 08:42 AM

I'll post on this one first and take the plunge.

See if anyone backs me up on what I see!

Arab/QH mix, definitely, from the looks of the pictures. Brains and brawn all in one package! QH build with Arab head/neck. Pretty head, inquisitive eye, looks like she would enjoy being taught and learn easily. Smaller and more compact, great size for gaming.

The first thing I see as a possible fault is her neck. It's ewe-necked and thin and seems too short for her body. It could however be built up with bending and flexing exercises. Her topline needs some work, some gradual conditioning as she learns gaming will likely help round her out better and look less weak through the back. Nice slope to her shoulder and haunches although legs look a bit too far set underneath... however that may not be a fault for gaming where she'll need to be able to get under herself and power through the turns. Good strong bone in the legs, pasterns maybe a touch short but not bad.

Once she gets some riding done this spring and tones up a couple areas, she's really going to be a beauty! And looks to be built right for intended use. Great little gal, one I'd definitely take a second look at, as a gaming horse prospect!

EquineAlberta · 03-13-2006, 01:15 PM

My first impression in this mare is that she is of a nice type with a lovely expression. She has a nice arab type head and a very alert expression with kind eyes.

Her neck looks thin, but I would not categorize it as ewe necked as there is some roundness to it (not hollow), and it may fill out with work/age.

I like her front end well enough, although the way she is standing so under herself makes it hard to really judge.

I like the depth of her chest and shoulder.

I think her top line would look better if she were squared up a bit more.

The scar on her hind leg should not cause issues, although with the way she is standing it is hard to tell if the swelling/scarring extends to her fetlock joint, which may cause some loss of mobility.

She looks like she naturally wants to stand under herself behind, and may be a little weak where hock connects to the cannon; I wouldn't be suprised if she developed curbs on those hind legs eventually (not a big deal in my experience, but something to watch for), but she does look like she will be a good games horse with good stopping/turning action once she is a little more fit!

Karen2

sheri7785 · 03-13-2006, 01:52 PM

First and foremost I have to say she is cute. She has a nice Araby head which is adorable on a quarter cross. She has a very kind face with cute tippy ears. She has a bit of a pencil neck and it doesn't flow into her withers very well. Reminds me of my old horse there. That shouldn't hinder head set at all. Her neck might get thicker with age. She's still growing up. Her shoulder is a little straighter than what I like, but that shouldn't limit her. Her back length is nice and looks like she'll be able to round up to you beautifully. She has a nice croup length but it is sloped a little more than what I like to see on Arab crosses. Won't hurt her working abilities at all. She is a little more under herself than what I would like to see, but with gaming she should be able to use that. Once she gets some muscle tone on her she'll be a flashy little girl.

**beth55051** · 03-13-2006, 08:05 PM

She's a really nice looking little mare. I like the way her hind end is set underneath her. It will help her to sit down around the barrels. Her pasterns are about the right length for speed events. She looks like she is a willing learner and possibly a bit more energetic type horse. I like her slender neck, she should be able to bend side to side fairly easily, I would fault her on how her neck ties in though. I would prefer it to tie into her withers a bit higher so she would be able to lift her front end easier. She does have a very good set of withers and will be able to hold a saddle in place without overtightening, very important in barrels, but could use a bit more of a slope to them to lengthen out her stride. Overall she looks like a good little prospect for barrels papers or not and with the right training should make a good little speed horse for a junior rider.

miss leanne · 03-20-2006, 10:36 PM

First off, I would like to say I really do think she will do well for you; she has an overall look of easygoing curiosity which leads me to think she would probably be pretty trainable. In this photo, she almost looks like she might be sore through the hind end, but it could just be the photo. If I were to campaign her as a gaming horse, I might have an equine chiropractor look at her hips and neck. Also, I think she will fill out through the neck, back and shoulder with consistant work and good balanced nutrition, and that may change her neck looking thin. It looks like her natural inclination is to carry her head low and relaxed, which can be a good thing. She has a nice withers to keep the saddle in the right place, which is also a plus, especially in speed events. I love her expressive face, she looks pretty happy and that, above all, is so important. I'd love to see her during the summer, after she has had a chance to shed out and condition a little. I bet she'll be a stunner!

03-12-2006, 10:33 PM
astablehand Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Creston, British Columbia Posts: 527	Conformation Clinic # 10 ~ Arabian (cross) Mare Before you respond with a critique, please make sure you thoroughly understand the guidelines. If you haven't already done so, please read them here: http://forum.horsetopia.com/viewtopic.php?t=5936 Also, please forego comments such as "He sure is pretty." Or "I like him a lot". The participants here are looking for technical critiques. Time for our next Conformation Clinic candidate! Breed: Arabian (may possibly have some QH too) Sex: Mare Age: 5 years old Hight: 14.1hh Other Information: She is mostly used for trail riding, but I am interested in barrel racing/gaming. Have fun, and critique away!

03-13-2006, 08:42 AM
TDH Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,400	I'll post on this one first and take the plunge. See if anyone backs me up on what I see! Arab/QH mix, definitely, from the looks of the pictures. Brains and brawn all in one package! QH build with Arab head/neck. Pretty head, inquisitive eye, looks like she would enjoy being taught and learn easily. Smaller and more compact, great size for gaming. The first thing I see as a possible fault is her neck. It's ewe-necked and thin and seems too short for her body. It could however be built up with bending and flexing exercises. Her topline needs some work, some gradual conditioning as she learns gaming will likely help round her out better and look less weak through the back. Nice slope to her shoulder and haunches although legs look a bit too far set underneath... however that may not be a fault for gaming where she'll need to be able to get under herself and power through the turns. Good strong bone in the legs, pasterns maybe a touch short but not bad. Once she gets some riding done this spring and tones up a couple areas, she's really going to be a beauty! And looks to be built right for intended use. Great little gal, one I'd definitely take a second look at, as a gaming horse prospect! __________________ "Nature, when she made the Arab, made no mistake." -Homer Davenport-

03-13-2006, 01:15 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,699	My first impression in this mare is that she is of a nice type with a lovely expression. She has a nice arab type head and a very alert expression with kind eyes. Her neck looks thin, but I would not categorize it as ewe necked as there is some roundness to it (not hollow), and it may fill out with work/age. I like her front end well enough, although the way she is standing so under herself makes it hard to really judge. I like the depth of her chest and shoulder. I think her top line would look better if she were squared up a bit more. The scar on her hind leg should not cause issues, although with the way she is standing it is hard to tell if the swelling/scarring extends to her fetlock joint, which may cause some loss of mobility. She looks like she naturally wants to stand under herself behind, and may be a little weak where hock connects to the cannon; I wouldn't be suprised if she developed curbs on those hind legs eventually (not a big deal in my experience, but something to watch for), but she does look like she will be a good games horse with good stopping/turning action once she is a little more fit! Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!

03-13-2006, 01:52 PM
sheri7785 Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 1,074	First and foremost I have to say she is cute. She has a nice Araby head which is adorable on a quarter cross. She has a very kind face with cute tippy ears. She has a bit of a pencil neck and it doesn't flow into her withers very well. Reminds me of my old horse there. That shouldn't hinder head set at all. Her neck might get thicker with age. She's still growing up. Her shoulder is a little straighter than what I like, but that shouldn't limit her. Her back length is nice and looks like she'll be able to round up to you beautifully. She has a nice croup length but it is sloped a little more than what I like to see on Arab crosses. Won't hurt her working abilities at all. She is a little more under herself than what I would like to see, but with gaming she should be able to use that. Once she gets some muscle tone on her she'll be a flashy little girl.

03-13-2006, 08:05 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,870	She's a really nice looking little mare. I like the way her hind end is set underneath her. It will help her to sit down around the barrels. Her pasterns are about the right length for speed events. She looks like she is a willing learner and possibly a bit more energetic type horse. I like her slender neck, she should be able to bend side to side fairly easily, I would fault her on how her neck ties in though. I would prefer it to tie into her withers a bit higher so she would be able to lift her front end easier. She does have a very good set of withers and will be able to hold a saddle in place without overtightening, very important in barrels, but could use a bit more of a slope to them to lengthen out her stride. Overall she looks like a good little prospect for barrels papers or not and with the right training should make a good little speed horse for a junior rider. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

03-20-2006, 10:36 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,532	First off, I would like to say I really do think she will do well for you; she has an overall look of easygoing curiosity which leads me to think she would probably be pretty trainable. In this photo, she almost looks like she might be sore through the hind end, but it could just be the photo. If I were to campaign her as a gaming horse, I might have an equine chiropractor look at her hips and neck. Also, I think she will fill out through the neck, back and shoulder with consistant work and good balanced nutrition, and that may change her neck looking thin. It looks like her natural inclination is to carry her head low and relaxed, which can be a good thing. She has a nice withers to keep the saddle in the right place, which is also a plus, especially in speed events. I love her expressive face, she looks pretty happy and that, above all, is so important. I'd love to see her during the summer, after she has had a chance to shed out and condition a little. I bet she'll be a stunner!