[flytobecat]

Fly, there are various reasons why horses are free.

I got this boy for free. Of course, he was just off the track so I spent $$$ getting him retrained, but other than that, he's a lovely sane, sound, calm horse.

That's what I mean. Horses that are free usually need training and time or they've got a health issue
My grey was free, but she also came with tons of bad habits, had stood for a year, and has a weird front leg. She's fine for trails & lite work, but wouldn't be good at much else.

OP-Are his issues just conformation or is there something else going on? Will you be able to use him for what you want to do?

 

[Beauandme]

You only get what you pay for. If you pay for perfection you get perfection. If you pay for free get free. But I love my free boy!! He is sweet and gentle and he is the best thing I ever had. He is happy and I am happy. Thats all that counts. We are a work in progress. I am not a beautiqueen and he is not a model perfect boy who should be on GQ. We just look good together, I think. He brings a sweetness to my heart that I havent felt in years. Thats what counts.

 

[316341]

side reins fix the ewe neck, over the knee horses are known to be good jumpers, narrow treed saddles are not hard to find, straight shoulder doesn't always mean uncomfortable OR short strided. He is nice. And free.

If he has a nice disposition i would say she should go for it.

 

[JustDressageIt]

Side reins won't fix a conformation fault. The problem isn't a narrow tree, it's finding a saddle that will allow wither clearance - which looks like it may indeed be a problem in this case.
The cheapest part of horse ownership is the purchase price; free horses cost just as much in training and vet and other costs as an expensive horse.
I would want to see his pasterns and feet as well before saying "yeah! Go for it!"
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[316341]

Fortunately its her decision not yours. And ewe neck is curable. Because its a muscle fault, build muscle on the topline and the bulging underside is no more. derp

 

[smrobs]

Pony, I suggest you watch your tone with the more experienced members here. Acting like a know-it-all child does nothing to add credence to your posts.

OP, like others have said, he doesn't have perfect conformation, but if he has a good mind, a nice temperament, is sound/healthy, and you get along with him, he might just be worth the time.

 

[GeminiJumper]

Hmm, not to keen on that back...

What are your plans for him?

 

[smrobs]

I always though ewe necks were just from excessive muscle on the bottom of the neck.

Nothing wrong with that, you just didn't know. A horse that has been worked incorrectly or allowed to 'stargaze' for much of their life can build muscles in the wrong places and give the appearance of a ewe neck. Those can be fixed, however they are not true ewe necks.

A true ewe neck has to do with where the neck ties in with the shoulders and the curvature/angle of the spinal column in the neck. Proper work and muscling can diminish the appearance of this, but it will still be there.

Here is a decent picture of what I'm talking about.

 

[DrumRunner]

Pony, like smrobs said, acting immature will get you no where. You are more than welcome to give advice and speak your beliefs but believe me, acting like that is not the way to go about making friends and becoming a respected person on the forum.

OP, I can finally see the picture now. I would be really concerned on why his feet are shown in the picture. He does have an awful ewe neck and a hunter's bump...and really there is no way to fix an ewe neck. You MIGHT can make it a little better with alot of top line exercises but there isn't much else you can do for it. Side reins will not fix his neck...MIEventer started a very good thread about building topline..IF you do decided to get him you should check it out..

http://www.horseforum.com/horse-training/how-develop-topline-88672/

 

[Alwaysbehind]

And ewe neck is curable. Because its a muscle fault, build muscle on the topline and the bulging underside is no more. derp

Um no. And no matter how many times you choose to repeat it, it will not make it so.

This horse's neck is ewed, period. It will always be a ewe neck. It can be made to look better with proper muscling but it will always be a ewe neck.

There are horses who only look like they have a ewe neck because of improper conditioning. This horse is not one of those.

OP, like others have said, he doesn't have perfect conformation, but if he has a good mind, a nice temperament, is sound/healthy, and you get along with him, he might just be worth the time.

I totally agree with this.
No reason to not look further into this horse, just keep in mind the faults and be sure to not make any decisions with out a good PPE.

 

[Wancata]

OK, so you cant cure the neck. But he's tall and lean, hes got a nice coat (it seems from the photo) and he has a kind eye. Hes a good looking color and has a presence in that photo. With some muscle and some groceries, he would make a good project horse. I think for a horse that's free, hes looks good... So long as he vets out that way. Also depends on what you'd like to train him to do. If you're thinking jumping and reselling, he may make some kid riding Novice or in the Limit very happy, for example, ya know?

 

[JustDressageIt]

Um no. And no matter how many times you choose to repeat it, it will not make it so.

This horse's neck is ewed, period. It will always be a ewe neck. It can be made to look better with proper muscling but it will always be a ewe neck.

There are horses who only look like they have a ewe neck because of improper conditioning. This horse is not one of those.




I totally agree with this.
No reason to not look further into this horse, just keep in mind the faults and be sure to not make any decisions with out a good PPE.

I can't bold the last paragraph, but that's a great note, Always. I just like to remind people that free doesn't always equal good. Please do go in cautious and fully aware of faults, and please please please get a PPE - especially focus on the leg joints. Get xrays if a vet is even a tad iffy and you still want him.

If he was an "ugly" color, would you still want to see him? I try to do that myself if a gorgeous colored horse catches my eye - that makes my mind think more objectively.
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