Long time listener, first time caller :)

Hi everyone. I've been a 'lurker' for quite a while. I have two horses that I would like your thoughts on. The first is a little chestnut gelding that we just bought. He's about 16 years old and was in pretty bad shape when we got him. He still needs some groceries in him, but we're working on it. He just got shoes on today and got a much needed trim. We got him for our 5 and 3 year old sons who are just learning to ride. They will be joining a riding club this spring. We originally had a large bay mare for them, but she was a little much, so we sold her and found this guy, who is much more their level. He really takes care of them, but will move when you ask him to. As skinny as he is, though, they aren't riding him until he gets more weight on him.
Anyway- do you see any obvious issues that will cause him problems later on? He seems sound and has a very nice mind. He's about 14 hh.





Next is Ruby. She is MY girl. She is 5 years old and is my heart. I want to start barrels and poles with her this spring. I've only had her for a year, but I feel like I've had her forever. She is that "once in a lifetime" horse.

Your little old guy is cute. He should be pretty come this summer with some groceries and slick hair. Hope he stays calm for your boys. Your Paint mare is pretty also, hard to tell confo wise as she is off balance from the farrier ;)

Just be aware that the gelding may get more 'pep in his step' with more weight. I've learned that the hard way more then once. Goodluck otherwise!
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Thanks! I'm hoping he does get a LITTLE more pep LOL! He was a lesson horse at a facility that closed. He's been around kids his whole life, so at the very least, they should be able to grow a little with him. I don't mind them falling off now and then LOL! Their little mare, Peaches, was DEAD broke. She was a lead-line pony. She had heaves and collapsed on me a few months ago. She died during an emergency tracheotomy. Our hearts are still broken over her. :(

The gelding is showing his age in his swaying back.. but he has nice low hocks and knees and good bone. He looks bow legged behind and like his left front really rotates in. If he is sound and honest and good for your kids, conformation is the least of your concerns. Agree on the "pep is his step" once he is fed and healthy.. but if he was a lesson horse and good, he should still be good.

The paint is OK. Cannot tell much but I suspect she is straight thru the hocks and maybe even a bit sickle hocked. She has an upright shoulder but appears to have a decently high point of shoulder so may be better in her front leg movement than the shoulder would indicate.

The paint will look MUCH better once you get her working off her hind quarters and using her ring of muscles. She will be a lot better at barrels and poles if you address that first in her training so she can collect and extend and get off her forehand. She looks like she is level or even slightly up hill in build (these photos do not help her or her critique BTW). If she is, she will collect and work off her hind quarters a lot easier than a down hill horse.

Even if she never does a thing to write home about I think you like her enough that you would not care anyway. ;)

One more, probably much better, picture of the gelding. This was the ad picture that the seller had up when he was for sale.

Used the saddle to cover up his sway back.. and this was before his ribs popped out and maybe well before he was 16.

Very sturdy. Low hocks and knees. GREAT bone. He will be fine for your purpose and after working for 16 years he deserves good care.