2yo grade QH conformation critique

I have no idea why your vet would have a negative opinion of this colt.
I'm glad to hear you will be doing western stuff with him! If he was mine, I would put him in cutting training, see if he's got any cow. If not, I would ride him as a turn back horse for a few years. It will for sure put a handle on him! Reining is good too! Actually, all you mentioned, I can see him being a prospect for.
He's come a long way from when you first got him. Look at him again when he's a 4 year old. I think you'll really like him then.

I know we all have our preferences on when to start a colt, but I would be doing ground work with him now, and get in a few rides on him before winter really gets going. Then, you're that much ahead for next year. As I said, I would put him with a cutting trainer asap.
Yes, I do believe he's either full QH or mostly QH.
There's really no reason not to start him.

Got to remember too, he's still growing, and will get rounder as he gains both weight and muscle.
I love my cutting saddles cause they are fairly light, around 30 pds. Pad one up and even if it's not the best fit, for just starting on ground driving and such, they are fine.
I had a saddle that I used just on colts, a special order Hamley, loved that saddle! Now that I'm old enough I'm not going to be starting any more colts, I gifted it to a young man that starts a lot of colts. I love his breeding program, and he's just a heck of a very nice young man. He will get a lot of good use out of it.

Knave said:

@lovetolope the saddle fitter said it was an antique tree, and that is a bit narrower than a semi quarter. I could take a tape to it if you wanted. It really is an excellent saddle.

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It looks a lot like my old Hamley.
Can't find any pics of it, but was one heck of a good colt starting saddle.
I think it's technical name was a Hamley Association Form Fitter. Heavy, the type bronc riders used but they'd cut the horn off. Mine still has the horn. Good saddle.

I agree @Knave . Once you were in a form fitter, it was that much harder to get you shook loose.
You should have seen the ear to ear smile on the face of the young man I gave mine to! He starts a lot of colts, and was using an old worn out platter of a roping saddle. He can retire that to the barn wall now.
That saddle has started a LOT of colts over the years. It was a special order that my former father in law had made by Hamley. My brand is carved into the back of the cantle. I know I have pics around here somewhere. I will see if I can find one.
It had oxbow stirrups on it. I liked them. Hard to lose one when one breaks in two.