Thanks for the comments so far, everyone. I appreciate the consideration
spanishhorses wrote:
He seems so thin and lanky right now.
He is rather lanky, yes. I think he's in a strange growing phase, honestly. He's not ribby at all, but yes, definitely needs more weight. His feed has been increased since I started working him.

dogsnhorses wrote:
Are these photos current? He looks VERY immature for a 3 y.o. If he were mine he'd be turned out to grow up and fill out a bit more before any more time under saddle. Right now he looks like six different horses hodgepodged together. Maturity will fix some of it, but I don't think he'll ever look balanced...

As you said, his topline is weak and he's downhill. I'm not a fan of his hindquarters, and he's sickle-hocked. His shoulder is a bit straight so he'll lack reach. He looks like he'll naturally carry himself heavy on the forehand. The way he's stepping up under himself behind in the movement shot is more a result of the sickle hocks than of him carrying himself correctly. He looks pissed off, so hopefully that's just one moment, not the way he naturally is. Front pasterns look straighter than I'd like to see, and it looks like he may toe out in front, but it's difficult to see them clearly in the confo shot, so I'm not positive on that.

His color IS gorgeous. With some maturity and a lot of work to build his strength and self-carriage, I think he'd do fine for WP/English at the lower levels. Not a top-level prospect by any means, however.

The photos were taken in mid-August of this year. My friend said the exact same thing (he looks immature), and I agree. He was started with those few rides as a late 2-year old and then wasn't really worked much until early spring of the following year (this year). He's coming 4 now. He's doesn't have a bad attitude at all, actually...he has a very quiet demeanor and is generally rather willing. Those ears say "lazy" to me more than pissed...he's doing a floppy donkey ear thing, not pinning them. He has quite a bit of maturing to do, but unfortunately it's not my choice to turn him out and let him grow. For now I'm only doing light work and again, upping his feed intake, hoping he'll fill out more.

PennysGirl wrote:
He is pretty downhill and I honestly think he looks almost hump-backed in the picture of you riding because of that.
I said in the OP that it's not me riding

xxthephoenix89xx wrote:
It the undersaddle pic, I'll put a dollar on the fact she's whapping him under the stomach with the spurs to get him to round. That's the reason he's going like he's sucking his ass under him.

I don't like him, just for how she rides him.
Nope, no spurs, guys. As I said, the girl is an intermediate rider and the BO forbade her from using spurs. I can personally testify to the fact that I never saw spurs on that girl's feet, because I am out there 4 times a week and was at every show lol. What you're seeing there isn't a spur, but part of the fencing...just an optical illusion in the photo. But yes, I agree - I don't like how he was being ridden, which is pretty much the main reason why I asked to take him on. I thought I could improve upon that and am hoping I'm right. I guess I'll have to come back in the spring and post some updated photos...


Last Edited By: Timid Wild One Dec 8 08 12:48 PM. Edited 3 times.