Conformation Clinic #27

A J · 12-02-2006, 11:28 AM

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

Breed: Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse
Age: 3
Gender: Gelding
Height: 15.1hh
Discipline: Trail/ reining/ dressage Training for: Reining and Dressage

**beth55051** · 12-10-2006, 08:04 PM

The first thing I see his his beautiful head and expression he looks like he is an absolute sweetheart and wonderful to work with.

I don't know a whole lot about KMSH's. He has a beautiful top line, but he's a bit light in the hind end but I think that's normal for a gaited horse. I can't fault him on anything along his topline. He does appear to be developing a bit of a hump in his loin area, something to watch. Since he's young he may not be physically ready for the amount of work that's being asked of him.

But I don't really like what I see in his legs. He appears to have weak knees and be a bit forward at the knee. He is also a bit more cowhocked than is allowed for the average gaited horse. He is also a bit light boned through his legs. Something to really watch out for as he is still growing.

I don't really see anything that would point me towards him being a reining horse. A reining horse needs to be straighter in the hind legs and have more power in his hind end. And I'm not sure how you would do dressage on a gaited horse as the majority of the lower level is done at a trot.

**Orchid** · 01-25-2007, 09:05 AM

Okay, we've gotten some input on this horse by a knowledgeable member. Now, it's time for everyone to discuss. Please don't be shy about making comments, we're all here to learn!

Ferronsgranny · 01-25-2007, 09:04 PM

Nice looking horse. I think he needs more muscle in the back.

CoppysGirl · 01-25-2007, 09:08 PM

I love the kind look in his eyes and I also love his ears (weird, I know..). His ears are very perky. He is very good looking.

miss leanne · 01-25-2007, 10:27 PM

I like his head, it is refined and nice, but still masculine.

His legs... thats a different story. He's pretty well over at the knee (or looks it in the picture) and doesn't have very good bone to speak of. He's rather cowhocked behind, and has muscling in his hip that is a result of that.

His neck ties in sort of low, but it is of adequate length. He also has a short enough back, which is nice.

But I'm just judging him to a stock horse standard... I know absolutely nothing about KMSH's...

allison · 01-25-2007, 10:57 PM

I pretty much agree with everything that's already been said.
Overall nice looking boy, but he looks like he needs more muscle tone. He just kinda looks out of shape to me. Legs aren't the best, but I've seen worse. I also agree with how I can't see him doing Reining and Dressage. He doesn't look like either, conformationaly. I bet he's a great little pleasure horse though.

cascy · 01-26-2007, 06:16 AM

Having raised gaited horses, I have a little bit to add.... Although I have never had a km horse, we always had foxtrotters.

But gaited horses are supposed to be more refined and lean, compared to say a quater horse. Remember, you won't see a fat marathon runner

Being made to go long distances and be smooth doing so, alot of gaited horses are more refined and have smaller bones (not all but some do) I think he looks pretty good. I love his expression, and I think his body looks good. His toes do seem like they point outward some, but that may just be the pic. Since he is standing in taller grass, I can't really tell. He should make an excellent pleasure horse, but like someone else stated... He may be able to do some reining, but he probably won't be much competeion for the other horses that were actually breed for that purpose. Being gaited, he's just not made for that sport, although there are some that can do it

Good luck, I love his color too!

karenf · 02-17-2007, 09:25 PM

Absolutely try gaited horse shows. These have equitation classes, and usually have trail, and versatility classes. Some small shows which are open have gaited classes as well. Try joining our local association.

He has a beautiful eye, and the close hocks may not hurt so much as gaited horses tend to move closer behind and a bit wider in the front due to the balance being further back. Looks like a nice boy!

12-02-2006, 11:28 AM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,479	Conformation Clinic #27 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 Breed: Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Age: 3 Gender: Gelding Height: 15.1hh Discipline: Trail/ reining/ dressage Training for: Reining and Dressage __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

12-10-2006, 08:04 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,870	The first thing I see his his beautiful head and expression he looks like he is an absolute sweetheart and wonderful to work with. I don't know a whole lot about KMSH's. He has a beautiful top line, but he's a bit light in the hind end but I think that's normal for a gaited horse. I can't fault him on anything along his topline. He does appear to be developing a bit of a hump in his loin area, something to watch. Since he's young he may not be physically ready for the amount of work that's being asked of him. But I don't really like what I see in his legs. He appears to have weak knees and be a bit forward at the knee. He is also a bit more cowhocked than is allowed for the average gaited horse. He is also a bit light boned through his legs. Something to really watch out for as he is still growing. I don't really see anything that would point me towards him being a reining horse. A reining horse needs to be straighter in the hind legs and have more power in his hind end. And I'm not sure how you would do dressage on a gaited horse as the majority of the lower level is done at a trot. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

01-25-2007, 09:05 AM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,089	Okay, we've gotten some input on this horse by a knowledgeable member. Now, it's time for everyone to discuss. Please don't be shy about making comments, we're all here to learn! __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.

01-25-2007, 09:04 PM
Ferronsgranny Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Creek, MS Posts: 2,077	Nice looking horse. I think he needs more muscle in the back. __________________ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

01-25-2007, 09:08 PM
CoppysGirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 901	I love the kind look in his eyes and I also love his ears (weird, I know..). His ears are very perky. He is very good looking. __________________ When your horse follows you without being asked, when he rubs his head on yours, and when you look at him and feel a tingle down your spine... you know you are loved. -John Lyons

01-25-2007, 10:27 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,532	I like his head, it is refined and nice, but still masculine. His legs... thats a different story. He's pretty well over at the knee (or looks it in the picture) and doesn't have very good bone to speak of. He's rather cowhocked behind, and has muscling in his hip that is a result of that. His neck ties in sort of low, but it is of adequate length. He also has a short enough back, which is nice. But I'm just judging him to a stock horse standard... I know absolutely nothing about KMSH's...

01-25-2007, 10:57 PM
allison Started Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kenosha, WI. Posts: 2,133	I pretty much agree with everything that's already been said. Overall nice looking boy, but he looks like he needs more muscle tone. He just kinda looks out of shape to me. Legs aren't the best, but I've seen worse. I also agree with how I can't see him doing Reining and Dressage. He doesn't look like either, conformationaly. I bet he's a great little pleasure horse though. __________________ Horses & Horsepower www.freewebs.com/mustangali_/ "...just like computers refuse to understand how I'm feeling today"

01-26-2007, 06:16 AM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,409	Having raised gaited horses, I have a little bit to add.... Although I have never had a km horse, we always had foxtrotters. But gaited horses are supposed to be more refined and lean, compared to say a quater horse. Remember, you won't see a fat marathon runner Being made to go long distances and be smooth doing so, alot of gaited horses are more refined and have smaller bones (not all but some do) I think he looks pretty good. I love his expression, and I think his body looks good. His toes do seem like they point outward some, but that may just be the pic. Since he is standing in taller grass, I can't really tell. He should make an excellent pleasure horse, but like someone else stated... He may be able to do some reining, but he probably won't be much competeion for the other horses that were actually breed for that purpose. Being gaited, he's just not made for that sport, although there are some that can do it Good luck, I love his color too! __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

02-17-2007, 09:25 PM
karenf Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 539	Absolutely try gaited horse shows. These have equitation classes, and usually have trail, and versatility classes. Some small shows which are open have gaited classes as well. Try joining our local association. He has a beautiful eye, and the close hocks may not hurt so much as gaited horses tend to move closer behind and a bit wider in the front due to the balance being further back. Looks like a nice boy!