Critique 10yr old Arab Gelding,Especially "Arab People"!

Short backed is better than long backed, hisangelonly....Holds up better to stress. Most long backed horses will end up with some problems eventually.

Curious, what kind of problems and what could prevent them? My gelding is never sore or shows signs of problems. He is 15 years old. As a 2 and 3 year old he was first in AHA halter stallion in Cali. Too short of a back could be a problem if the saddle blanket or pad rubs his croup, couldn't it? I am just saying it looks strange to me. It looks too short. Lol. I am beginning to think the camera is playing some tricks, though.

Here are other pics where his back doesnt look long. He has a flat croup just like most other arabians. I don't know if it is an illusion or what.

Yeah he's a pretty boy, but still a little long to me. It's not awful though, I've seen worse....If I was to give advice on horse to prevent it I would just say building a LOT of topline muscle to keep it strong up there. Working long and low is good.....I've seen a lot of long backed horses get sore, sway backed, etc. Some just don't stay sound. I don't think you'll have an issue though.

Would jumps and hills strengthen the topline? That is what we have been working on. Please explain long and low exercises or is there a thread on it here? Yeah there's people who tell me his back is very long but I think he is just not what theyre used to seeing, kind of like the horse in this thread is not what I am used to seeing.

Nope, that's fairly normal for Arabians. You see a LOT of them that are short-backed. This being what looks like a fairly small arabian, the short back will be even more noticeable. My Arabian is just as short-backed as this one. I'd post a pic, but the only one I can find is of a 3/4 face on so doesn't really show his back.

Thanks! I agree with finding something he likes, as he gets bored quickly.He is very smart! He's also a lazy-butt until he gets warmed up. By the time he is fully loose and ready to go, I am almost tuckered out! I do a lot of bending to get him soft in the bridle, and then we do a lot of walking and trotting. I am just now working on how to keep him going at a lope. He thinks if he crow-hops once or twice, I will stop. After a few tries, he gives up and does what he's asked...such an Equus Bratticus! So not sure on the speed events, maybe once I am a better rider

Yes, his front pasterns match his shoulder. Thanks for the warning, and I will definitely keep an eye on that. He wasn't started under saddle until at least 5 years old, and hasn't seen really hard use in all of his 10 years, but he'd have you think otherwise.
We aren't doing anything too strenuous yet, but I am looking into getting some support boots at least. This is only because we are now starting to lope more. It will be awhile until we are REALLY pounding the ground or showing anyhow. I will not shoe him unless absolutely necessary.He was an endurance horse when I bought him, and never had issues. The previous owner rode him in easy boots. He did two 25 mile rides, and a 25 miler where they got lost and did 45 miles. Plus she was riding him about 25 miles per week. Once I got him, he fell out of shape due to me not riding much until the last 8-9 months.We are taking it slow to see what it turns into.

We're working on that hay belly! It's my fault due to inexperience and circumstance.Now that I have confidence, and an instructor, Zepher has gotten good at giving me a great stink-eye! He could live on air for sure!
Actually the photos that were taken in the indoor arena were taken in the last month. All of the others were from about a year ago, he was heavier then. There is a difference, but not a huge one. We're doing a lot of trotting on uneven ground , and really working on getting him to use his rear end.Hopefully the belly will go away, the butt will fill out,and the top-line will get more strong. That should help with the loin, right?
And thanks for the complements, I love how he looks! He is dangerously cute!

Ha ha! I know how that is! Being so used to my gelding, and looking at some of the reining QH Studs at our barn, they look really crazy in comparison! Short and wide!
That's why I came to this forum and asked about conformation. I am learning, though I do know a little bit. From what I understand, there are certain faults that have become more prevalent in Arabians over the past 20-30 years like straight shoulders, overly flat croups, and hocks out behind. This is probably due to breeding especially for certain disciplines instead of versatility,and breeding for fashion over function. A short back is a part of the Arab breed standard.

My boy is 14.2 hands, so he's short and compact. It was really tough finding a saddle and pad for him. Most of the stock horse tack is all wrong for an Arabian. Pony stuff is too small. His saddle pad is 28" long.His saddle is 26 1/2" long, and the gullet is something like 7 1/2 wide! I bought it from a lady who had a Clydesdale/Arabian cross if that says anything!

There is a lady at my barn who has a purebred who is built almost exactly like your horse. She lunges him, collected, in a surcingle. She told me it is to build the muscles in his top-line and neck. Her horse is 15 hands and streamlined like your boy. Your horse is pretty, I love bays without a whole lot of white

That's the cool thing about Arabians, much like some other breeds; they come in many different types,shapes and sizes.