Conformation Clinic #28

A J · 12-02-2006, 11:32 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: Quarter Horse
Age: 6
Gender: Gelding
Height: 15hh
Discipline: Starting his training - hope to use him as a game horse.

**beth55051** · 12-10-2006, 07:49 PM

He looks to be a nice pleasant individual. He has a pretty eye and a sweet face.

He has a nicely defined wither to hold the saddle in place but his shoulder is rather upright and straight which will shorten his stride. His neck appears to be a bit short and thick but that could just be the photo, it's hard to tell with his head turned towards the camera. His back is a bit long which will limit his driving power and make it harder for him to tuck up under himself and push off around a barrel. His hip is a nice angle but a bit small and doesn't look to be real powerful and his hind legs look to be set a bit behind him also. His hocks are set nice and low to the ground though.

His legs appear straight and to have good bone to hold up under a work load. Although I would be concerned about his left front the hoof and pastern appear to be at completely different angles, could be that he just needs a trim but it would definitely be something to watch.

He doesn't look to be an exceptional athlete but depending on what level you plan on competing at he should do just fine. No major faults just a few that will detract from his power and take off and possibly his collection. But then again heart and desire can overcome conformation any day.

**Orchid** · 01-25-2007, 09:06 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!

**gbarmranch** · 01-25-2007, 07:08 PM

I like his body build, nice hip, good topline, but his neck is a liitle short in the first picture - perhaps it is just the photo. Nice eye, pretty head, he seems somewhat short in statue compared to the person holding him, but may do very well in gaming.

princesskristin · 01-25-2007, 07:13 PM

He does look like a relaxed individual. I agree that his neck does appear a bit short, but it could be the way he is angled in the picture. He doesn't look overly built but he definitely has some muscle to him that would make him a good candidate for gaming. Good luck with everything.

miss leanne · 01-25-2007, 07:32 PM

First off, I like his nice short back. I don't think his neck is overly short, I think it may be the angle of the photo, with his head turned, y'know? But it might be, it's just hard to tell. And I love his expression, he looks quiet but intelligent, which is very good.

Now, for some other things I noticed... he is visably sickle-hocked, and with longish pasterns as well (although that could be contributed to his feet being long). Also, he has a bit of a hog-back towards his hips, and seems kind of wide-set in the picture taken from behind. But that could have been how he's standing. I'd like to see a head-on picture of him, to really get a feel of how straight he is through the legs. It's hard to judge his shoulder angle because of the shadow and the angle of his head being turned.

I think he'll likely do just fine in gymkhanas and games, as his expression leads me to believe he's easy to get along with.

gingerfleguel · 01-25-2007, 07:50 PM

Although this boys feet are large enough to provide a solid foundation, I dont like her straight hind ankles because they wont be able to flex much as they bare weight. He does have a nice short back...and like noted about he seems small in comparison to the person holding him in the first picture. I do notice also that he is sickle hocked....or it could just be the way he is standing in the second picture...he is not squared up very well so its hard to judge by that second picture

cascy · 01-25-2007, 08:16 PM

I think he could use some more rear to even out and look more balanced with his front end. He is in need of a trim pretty badly in the photo as well. I also agree with the others that his neck could be a tad longer, but it is also kinda bunched in the pic I believe which gives it a smaller appearance. He does have a very soft eye, the kind that says " Be my friend and I'll go to the end of the world for ya"

I don't think he would ever make to the pro's but I believe that he could be decent at playdays and smaller shows.

Ferronsgranny · 01-25-2007, 09:00 PM

I think the shadow on the first picture is throwing everyone off. It makes his neck look small. I agree that he needs more back muscle. Good looking horse.

12-02-2006, 11:32 AM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,479	Conformation Clinic #28 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: Quarter Horse Age: 6 Gender: Gelding Height: 15hh Discipline: Starting his training - hope to use him as a game horse. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

12-10-2006, 07:49 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,870	He looks to be a nice pleasant individual. He has a pretty eye and a sweet face. He has a nicely defined wither to hold the saddle in place but his shoulder is rather upright and straight which will shorten his stride. His neck appears to be a bit short and thick but that could just be the photo, it's hard to tell with his head turned towards the camera. His back is a bit long which will limit his driving power and make it harder for him to tuck up under himself and push off around a barrel. His hip is a nice angle but a bit small and doesn't look to be real powerful and his hind legs look to be set a bit behind him also. His hocks are set nice and low to the ground though. His legs appear straight and to have good bone to hold up under a work load. Although I would be concerned about his left front the hoof and pastern appear to be at completely different angles, could be that he just needs a trim but it would definitely be something to watch. He doesn't look to be an exceptional athlete but depending on what level you plan on competing at he should do just fine. No major faults just a few that will detract from his power and take off and possibly his collection. But then again heart and desire can overcome conformation any day. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

01-25-2007, 09:06 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, 07:08 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,584	I like his body build, nice hip, good topline, but his neck is a liitle short in the first picture - perhaps it is just the photo. Nice eye, pretty head, he seems somewhat short in statue compared to the person holding him, but may do very well in gaming. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

01-25-2007, 07:13 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	He does look like a relaxed individual. I agree that his neck does appear a bit short, but it could be the way he is angled in the picture. He doesn't look overly built but he definitely has some muscle to him that would make him a good candidate for gaming. Good luck with everything. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

01-25-2007, 07:32 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,532	First off, I like his nice short back. I don't think his neck is overly short, I think it may be the angle of the photo, with his head turned, y'know? But it might be, it's just hard to tell. And I love his expression, he looks quiet but intelligent, which is very good. Now, for some other things I noticed... he is visably sickle-hocked, and with longish pasterns as well (although that could be contributed to his feet being long). Also, he has a bit of a hog-back towards his hips, and seems kind of wide-set in the picture taken from behind. But that could have been how he's standing. I'd like to see a head-on picture of him, to really get a feel of how straight he is through the legs. It's hard to judge his shoulder angle because of the shadow and the angle of his head being turned. I think he'll likely do just fine in gymkhanas and games, as his expression leads me to believe he's easy to get along with.

01-25-2007, 07:50 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,502	Although this boys feet are large enough to provide a solid foundation, I dont like her straight hind ankles because they wont be able to flex much as they bare weight. He does have a nice short back...and like noted about he seems small in comparison to the person holding him in the first picture. I do notice also that he is sickle hocked....or it could just be the way he is standing in the second picture...he is not squared up very well so its hard to judge by that second picture

01-25-2007, 08:16 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,409	I think he could use some more rear to even out and look more balanced with his front end. He is in need of a trim pretty badly in the photo as well. I also agree with the others that his neck could be a tad longer, but it is also kinda bunched in the pic I believe which gives it a smaller appearance. He does have a very soft eye, the kind that says " Be my friend and I'll go to the end of the world for ya" I don't think he would ever make to the pro's but I believe that he could be decent at playdays and smaller shows. __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

01-25-2007, 09:00 PM
Ferronsgranny Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Creek, MS Posts: 2,077	I think the shadow on the first picture is throwing everyone off. It makes his neck look small. I agree that he needs more back muscle. Good looking horse. __________________ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.