QH/Fox Trotter cross 2 yr old gelding

Just for kicks I thought I would post photos of my coming 2 yr old gelding to see what folks think of him currently. He won't be 2 until July. His sire is a QH and dam a Missouri Fox Trotter. His use will be trails.

Just curious if you like how he's put together or ??? Any major faults thus far?

It's funny how just a slightly different photo angle can give him a totally different look so that's why I included several. One photo makes him look more like a Quarter Horse. One photo makes him look more like a gaited horse, etc.

I'm kind of partial to him because he's mine so he looks beautiful in my eyes. But I want to know his faults too. I know I have my own ideas, but I want to hear yours!

Handsome fellow so far!
I love his head and his neck. Nice shoulder as well, although his neck does appear to be set rather high.
Good front legs, though pasterns may be at a bit of an angle.
Back is a little on the long side.
Bum high at this stage but with nicely rounded hindquarters that should muscle well.
I can't pick out any major flaws in his hind legs other than that he seems to stretch out (that could be a breed thing, however so I wont fault him for that).
Not sure if it's the lighting, but his back fetloc joints seem.. puffy?

My guess is that he will grow into himself a bit more. But I agree with lilruffian, he is bum high that I can see and his back is long. From what I have read fox trotters aren't fully matured in their bodies til about 5 so he needs to do a bit growing :) I bet in a year or two he will look completely different!

Thanks guys!

The back right fetlock joint was the one that was born wonky. The cannon bone is not straight on that leg. Although I think it looks a TON better than it used to.

The back right does look puffy in those pictures. Not sure why. In real life it seems fine.

Front pasterns are slope-y like his mom's. But I like that. Better than too upright.

His neck is high-set like his mom but I like that too. I don't mind high head carriage (used to own Arabians )

For the longest time I thought he would grow up to look like a Thoroughbred, so it's cool that he's muscling out some. I never really thought about his back being long. I will have to look at that again.

Thanks again for taking a peek!

I agree that he's a very nice looking horse. The rear pasterns are upright, like a gaited type. Front like a QH. I think you have a very nicely built horse there.

Awww look at him growing up so fast! I think he looks incredible, yes he is butt high, but he has tons of growing to do yet. His leg looks amazing, and he has grown out of the twist quite a bit! His neck and head look gorgeous!!!

He looks Absolutely Lovely! Love his neck and shoulder tie in, going to be impressive! I agree he's a tad butt high in a couple shots but then he levels out in the last one, so he'll grow into that fine rump!
My uncle had the same cross that was solid black and they look almost EXACTLY the same. Wish I had gotten ahold of him because he was a force to be reckoned with! When he first got him he was the UGLIEST thing I've ever seen but at the same age as yours he was breathtaking. Only got better as he got older and by 10 he was probably the best looking horse I've ever seen. Your guy is very fine! Way to go.

Thanks everybody!

FlyGap,did your uncle's horse gait?

I don't think my guy is going to be gaited. I pretty well just see him trotting like a regular horse, but he does look like he might have a flat walk. Sometimes he really nods his head and reaches under when he walks, which is a good sign. But I haven't seen him do any sort of "gait" since he was about a month old. It doesn't matter to me that much, I won't love him any less. But I am just curious if there is any hope for a gait when he gets under saddle.

Nope, not gaited. Sometimes in the field when he was excited I could kind of pick one out but under saddle it was just w/t/c. I guess we could have worked on it but he was UBER smooth and prancy.

I'm reviving this bad boy... how can you NOT think he is absolutely beautiful in every shape and form!? I don't see a thing wrong with him! Heck if I could have another horse, I'd want your boy!