Just got back from dropping my pony off at the vet hospital for cataract surgery. OMG MY BABY IS IN THE HOSPITAL!! So help me distract myself from my nerves
and the impending credit card bill, please, and critique my new horse?
Here's the story on this guy: he's an 11 year old, 15hh registered Morgan gelding. Fantastic, classic lines, old-style Morgan. His previous owner bought him as a 300-lb overweight "trail horse" that she could "put her grandmother on!" Yeah, no. As soon as he got fit, he got VERY hot. He's a lot of horse, and she wanted something quieter. Since she couldn't find a buyer for him, she adopted him to me instead of sending him to a rescue or adoption agency.
He's clearly been trained saddleseat at some point. He tries to 'park out' whenever he stands still. He ducks behind the contact and steamrolls through half-halts, he has been ridden in some very harsh bits and has some serious bit-related anxiety, and getting him to walk (instead of that jiggy half-trot thing that passes for a walk in so many of the saddleseat shows I've seen) has been one of our greatest challenges. However, for all his issues, I adore him and am looking forward to every bit of progress we'll make.
I've only been riding him about a month now, and we're taking patient baby steps. He collects himself quite naturally and beautifully, and has great balance, even at speed. But I'd like to know, from people who know their lines and angles, if you think his shoulder will permit a really nice, reachy swing, once I get him to relax and stop trying to eat his knees at every trot stride!
He's very upheaded, as so many Morgans are, but he does come soft and round and low, with enough patience and a VERY soft hand.
Getting him to stand square and not stretch out like a halter horse was actually kind of a challenge. He's a little 'parked out' here, still.
Just to show that he can, in fact, get his head down.
He needs more muscling atop his neck (it's a bit upside-down at the moment, he's been bracing against a very harsh bit for YEARS) and on his topline. Apologies for the saddle marks; I had a photographer, decent light, and a flat bit of ground, and just couldn't pass up the chance to get some decent pictures!
Please let me know what you think! As I said, analysis of how level he is, hip and shoulder angles, most definitely appreciated, as I can eyeball a horse fairly decently but haven't quite grasped the fine points of the magical lines, yet...
Here's the story on this guy: he's an 11 year old, 15hh registered Morgan gelding. Fantastic, classic lines, old-style Morgan. His previous owner bought him as a 300-lb overweight "trail horse" that she could "put her grandmother on!" Yeah, no. As soon as he got fit, he got VERY hot. He's a lot of horse, and she wanted something quieter. Since she couldn't find a buyer for him, she adopted him to me instead of sending him to a rescue or adoption agency.
He's clearly been trained saddleseat at some point. He tries to 'park out' whenever he stands still. He ducks behind the contact and steamrolls through half-halts, he has been ridden in some very harsh bits and has some serious bit-related anxiety, and getting him to walk (instead of that jiggy half-trot thing that passes for a walk in so many of the saddleseat shows I've seen) has been one of our greatest challenges. However, for all his issues, I adore him and am looking forward to every bit of progress we'll make.
I've only been riding him about a month now, and we're taking patient baby steps. He collects himself quite naturally and beautifully, and has great balance, even at speed. But I'd like to know, from people who know their lines and angles, if you think his shoulder will permit a really nice, reachy swing, once I get him to relax and stop trying to eat his knees at every trot stride!
He's very upheaded, as so many Morgans are, but he does come soft and round and low, with enough patience and a VERY soft hand.
Getting him to stand square and not stretch out like a halter horse was actually kind of a challenge. He's a little 'parked out' here, still.
Just to show that he can, in fact, get his head down.
He needs more muscling atop his neck (it's a bit upside-down at the moment, he's been bracing against a very harsh bit for YEARS) and on his topline. Apologies for the saddle marks; I had a photographer, decent light, and a flat bit of ground, and just couldn't pass up the chance to get some decent pictures!
Please let me know what you think! As I said, analysis of how level he is, hip and shoulder angles, most definitely appreciated, as I can eyeball a horse fairly decently but haven't quite grasped the fine points of the magical lines, yet...
