Critique Candy Please =] Image Heavy!

Candy is a rising 4 yr old Quarter horse, she's abosolutely fantastic for such a young girl. Here are some photos of her as well as us jumping today. She hasn't jumped much before because she is so young so I think she's doing really well. Keep in mind I'm riding in a stock saddle as its the only one I have at the moment. [=

I love the horse. She's super super cute. It looks like your jumping ahead quite a bit and that your riding off your toes over the fence. Although it's probably tougher with a saddle that doesnt put you in the proper position to jump.

She's Cute! Looks like she enjoys jumping.
Is it just me or is she slightly sickle hocked? I have a TB that is slightly sickle hocked and the confirmation has caused arthritis in the hocks, which can be maintained, but if she is, you may want to keep an eye out for that. It could just be the pictures and lord knows I am no expert on confirmation.

BuckOff: What do you mean by 'riding off your toes over the fence' ? It was a little awkward with the stock saddle once I get my AP I imagine it will be easier for both of us. Yes she's very cute [= Thanks for the critique!

Clover: She loves jumping, she thinks its fun [= Could you explain what sickle hocked means? Im unsure of this term.. Thanks for the critique [=

The only thing I see is that she looks like she has super small feet compared to her body. Maybe it's the angles of the photos.
But if her feet are abnormally small, I'd definitely do alot of things to protect her hoove and her joints.

Well, I just prefer a deep heel. If you sink down into your heel and turn your foot slightly up and out. Don't press with your knees... use your thighs and calves to hold on. You can kinda see what I mean here... even though its western and I'm turning my toes out too much its still a similar concept...
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...c80b01c5d0.jpg

Lol, the last pic looks like she has her hind legs crossed. She's a really pretty girl, and doing well for a rising 4 y.o.

It looks like she's taking off a bit at the last minute, but I might be wrong coz of the angle. It'd be easier to tell if you had some side on pics as well. But she's coming along well, and she looks like she'll be good with some more practise :)

Yes, I thought that a little bit when I was riding (taking off a bit late) Ill organise a lesson with her owner soon and give an update on her progress.

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What do you guys think of this?
She'll be up for sale soon 4 $5000 however the owner has offered her to me for $3500. I really don't have this sort of money, but I love her so much! I could borrow the money off my parents and pay it back in little ammounts, however if I bought her it means I wont be getting a car? Dilemaaa please help if anyone has any ideas!

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Also, SonnyWimps: I agree about her feet, I could never quite put my finger on it, she just looked to heavy and I thought she had skinny legs. But when I look at her closely her hooves are quite small. Do you think this would improve once she's a bit older? What sort of action would you take to protect her joints and feet?

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Ill get some pics from the side next time I jump - Hopefully in a proper saddle.

She has tiny feet with a big body, she also stands under herself in the hind. She is very cute though and looks like she has a ton of spunk!

From what I understand from what the vet that diagnosed my horses arthritis is that the angle of the leg is more underneath the horse. In othere words the angle from the hock down should be straighter rather than angled under. I have heard that some people actually like horses with this confirmation but it can put some straign on the hock joint, as it did with my horse and cause arthritis. Not a huge worry but something to watch out for. There are a lot of things you can do to help arthritis if if does form and you can always try a suppliment to attempt to prevent it. Again, I am far from a confirmation expert but it is just something I notice since I have had the issue with my horse.