Please Critique my mare

2002 Appendix AQHA Mare Mercedes. GO Nicki Norfleet. I use her for speed events.

She looks cow-hocked and roach backed to me. Also, her hind end looks a little weak/small. Lower set neck and longer back, although that may be deceptive due to her back end.

Pretty coloring and face. Nice shoulder and good girth depth. She looks like a sweetheart.

What is roach backed? She is 1/2 throughbred, accounts for the long back and neck. Thanks for the critique.

Here is a wikipedia link. I don't usually use it for research, but their confo page is pretty good.

Equine conformation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"[edit] Loins and coupling

Roached back [18]

• In the area where the back and loins join the croup (the coupling) there is an upward convex curvature of the spine. Often a result of a short back, or injury or malalignment of the lumbar vertebrae.
• Often accompanied by less-developed loin muscles in breadth, substance, and strength. The spine already “fixed” in a curved position, and the attaching muscles are unable to contract properly to round or elevate the back. Thus it is difficult to engage the hindquarters or round the back by elevating loin muscles. Vertebrae often have reduced motion so the horse takes shorter steps behind.
• Jumping and dressage especially are affected.
• The horse is stiffer through the back and less flexible in an up and down motion as well as side to side.
• There may be back pain from vertebral impingement.
• There is a less elastic feel beneath rider as the back too rigid. Agility sports (polo, cutting, reining, barrel racing, gymkhana) are more difficult. "

She isn't roach backed, go google pictures to see what that looks like.

This mare simply has NO topline at ALL. Muscling would help lift her back and look less weak.

The pictures are not very good for critiquing, but she is built downhill and seems to stand awkwardly underneath herself--as accounting for back pain... possibly has something to do with the lack of topline muscle. Legs look good, neck has a nice length.

I think she's a great looking horse. I love her dapples and black stockings. Is she young? I'd love to see her with a bit of muscle and shine.

I'm an idiot, I meant sickle hocked NOT cow hocked. Sorry. Allergies make me stupid.

I agree completely. Love her legs and her face.

Yeah I got her a year ago and she was almost dead when I got her. She has been putting on weight since april 2009 and we are working the muscles now. She is actually really shiney you just can't tell in the pics.

Since you just mentioned that when you got her she was nearly dead, I have nothing to say about her flaws. A horse in that good of shape compared to how she used to be should not be flawed at this point IMO. Not saying that everyone is being to critical, I'm glad others are telling you her flaws, but from how she used to be, I simply cannot critique her flaws. To me, it's a miracle that she looks as good as she does!!! Good for you for getting her into the shape that she's in now.

She is a beautiful girl, and looks very sweet! I'm sure she will make a great horse for you!!

Nikki