Appy Lovers Critique

A little info.. He is a foundation bred gelding. 15.2hh and 7 years old.
Thee best hooves in the whole world!


Would like honest critique about his conformation.
I' am undecided on what I want to excel in with him. I can ground drive equipment with him, trail ride for miles, pushed cows, I've watched him ever so gracefully jump 5ft from a stand still like a deer.. and he loves to swim.
This boy has talent...

How do I figure out what a good discipline would be for us to try?
What does he look like he could handle?
I do wish to show him in the future but we need a goal. I don't want to train him to do things he's not built for, can't handle or possibly doesn't like it.


I come to the best people on the net to ask these questions!
I have attached a few pictures of him, squared and in motion.
Seriously looking for honesty. Not going to hurt my feelings, only going to help guild my horse and I in the right direction for our future goals in the show ring.


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Shazam! Would he look gorgeous under MY dressage saddle!

Shazam would look better with a nice Mahogany Colored Western Saddle

I love Apps almost as much as my Belgian.... nice Horse.. BTW


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Outta my way, STG! He's mine to gloat over. I saw him first.
(grabby hands, grabby hands)

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OK, OK.... as far a disciple, I used to have 2 Apps, one won as many Blue Ribbons in Dressage as she did Western Pleasure.
Her daughter was just a lesson Horse for English and Western.

Apps can do anything


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There isn't anything I DON'T like about him! I have grabby hands too!

Nice horse. Body seems a bit heavy but I hesitate to say "fat" because the spots don't allow that to show. Nice bone. A bit straight thru the hocks. Not a bad horse.

Needs work (and needs to get his ring of muscles going).. and after that if you think you got Mods 'n Members fighting over him now, wait'll then!

I also think he is a great looking horse. He would fit right in with my pasture.

He has been off mostly the last two years from training, no conditioning just lazy trail riding with some friends and beers.
2 years ago was when I had him in tip top shape. He trotted 4-6 miles a day, backed up a sloping hills and climbed train rail style steps and could ride for hours without breaking a sweat. Now... well yes he's tubby and completely out of shape and that's why I come here because If I don't find something to do with him other than trail riding he will stay fat LOLOL
And I had a goal 2 years ago for barrel racing but he is WAY to elegant when he moves and carries himself for barrels.

I just can't find that event or style of riding to do with him!?!?

I thought about dressage or driving but I have no idea of that style, don't get me wrong I would love to learn but no instructors in this area :(


He is broke to the hilt, side pass's, flying lead changes, ques with smooth transitions and floats on his feet but still goofy.


Yet.... I have noticed!! And this to me is HUGE!!! When I harness him up to ground drive and drag rails around, he tucks his head in and will jog like a WP horse and ONLY under harness.. Otherwise he is moving fast.

O.O

And thank you everyone for critiques, the more the better. I only want to learn and prosper with him.

Personally I'd put him English and go either Hunter/Jumper or English Pleasure. Both work well for forward moving horses. Excellent Leopard!