critique muscle wise

You have a nice looking horse with a lot of potential. A couple of things to keep in mind about musculature is that genetics plays a part; some horses are naturally heavily muscled, while others are more delicately built. I have a heavily built cremello qh mare with huge, prominent muscles and a beautiful, finely built chestnut mare who is very strong and athletic but doesn't have the obvious, bulgy muscles. Also, quarter horses are known for their muscular hind quarters, but large quarters don't equal muscle. There are a lot of overweight qh's with big "quarters" or fat butts. The best judge of muscle in a quarter horse is actually the gaskin, or second thigh. Your horse's look average to me. So I agree with all the suggestions about exercise, etc., but your horse is unique and will develop according to his own build and inherited characteristics. One more comment (if you're still reading : ) ) A horse that doesn't fit the perfect profile of build or muscle can still be an outstanding performer (maybe not in the show ring, but who cares?). Some of the legendary quarter horses of the last century weren't perfect to look at, but they didn't know it. They excelled anyway. Cheers . . .

Good point, Cissysmom :)

he's actually a registered Paint
But yeah...he's Quarter Horse build. He was kinda fuzzy in that picture from winter fur that just won't shed...most of his winter fir on his shoulders is off and I can see some muscles...

I'll get more pictures once all his winter fur comes off

Well, that's interesting he's a paint. Qhs and paints are similar in that they're both stock horses, but I think in general paints are a bit more rangy, not as compact or short-backed as qhs. At least mine is. I've got a solid palomino paint, and that's how he compares to my qh gedlings. So that could change the way your horse. develops, too.

actually. paints and quarter horses are the exact same breed, only for some unknown reason quarter horse association won't have a "pinto" as a color. they have to classify it as a new breed.
let me explain something.
if 2 registered quarter horses have a foal, and it has a spot outside of a certain area, you are able to register your horse as a paint.
its that simple. haha.
although, if 2 registered paints have a foal without any color, quarter horse won't take it, they register it as a paint. breedstock.

hope that clarifies everything for you.
i hate to see people confused on breeds! lol

actually a paint can be either a TB or a QH
Yep...that's my boy...a breedingstock paint...Breedingstocks don't have the color, but can throw colored foals.
IMO I like Breedingstock paints better than regular...I'm biased now haha

agreed. n his neck

wow, i didn't know that tb could be paints!!!!

I rarely see them, but yes it's possible. :)

huh serious