muscle and conf critique

Ri is a 6 year old AQHA gelding. Up until this year we were very heavy on the forehand but this year we've made great strides into the right direction. We are heading towards consistant but not there yet. Hoping to get there soon. I did my best on these pix but he's not a very helpful pony!

I had just finished riding so he's a little sweaty. I forgot to take a front view shot so I just threw one in there but it's from last summer and he's grown some I think.

I also want to know if our muscle is building in the right places... as in... are we using our butt!

Thanks in advance.

These two pix were taken sometime last summer if that helps to judge any muscle development...

I think his butt has definitely improved. He looks much more muscled and toned then last summer. Even his neck looks better in my opinion.

He looks great! Keep making him use that hiney!

Thanks! I need to do some riding critiques but I don't think we are ready yet. I think we have too many things that I already know are wrong so it would be overwhelming to get a critique at this point.

I feel like he is changing in body shape, like suddenly he has withers and maybe his front is starting to match his neck? That's sort of why I posted, wanted to see if it was possible to tell if we are using ourselves correctly by the way the muscle is building.

I wonder if he's too fat?

I personally think he looks great at the weight he is. Some people might want him to be leaner but I prefer a horse like him over a skinnier horse any day of the week.

(you should see mine in the summer... he'd look aneroxic standing next to mine. Lol)

This is a really nice horse. NICE long hip, well placed hocks and knees, and a lovely balanced look with a very sweet and sharp head (I rarely note a horse's head unless it is porrly connected to the neck). May be a little tied inbehind the knee. Shoulder angle at the point of shoulder is a bit closed so he will do OK over fences but is not a jumper.

There is no conformation reason for this horse to NOT round his back and work off his hindquarters. VERY nice seal bay.

Thanks Elana. What does tied inbehind the knee mean? Confirmation is one of my weakest points in knowledge.