[Kayla coady]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping I will get some advise and information from creating this post, all comments are welcome. We are looking at a young horse to buy he is a three rising four year old gelding, Irish sport horse x halflinger unrecorded breeding currently stands apparently 15,1 we are hoping to go see him next Wednesday. He is just broken and hasn’t done much work for building muscle yet ... here he is

I’m sorry if the picture shows up small,
This is him, so any flaws and goods in the conformation that you may see I’d appreciate if you could point them out and explain if you can why it’s good or bad, I do have somewhat an idea of conformation and I realise he is 3 and has some growing possibly yet and filling out, I’m not to sure about conformation in the hocks and stifle but anything you can see point it out and it will be much appreciated thanks everyone !

 

[tinyliny]

He's lovely!!! just lovey. I rode an Irish sport horse (Irish Draught x Trakener) for several years. Best horse I ever rode! so sweet, so sensitive, so much 'try' in him, and an engine that was lovely to ride. This horse looks a lot like Z. He has the same high neck, large/heavy head, good feet etc. The only flaws I can see are that his back legs are a bit overly straight and his croup is a bit short and upright. But honestly, he is well balanced with a good shoulder for jumping. I would take him in a heartbeat!

I'll see if I can find a photo of the ISH that I rode some years back . . .

 

[QtrBel]

Overly straight through the leg with a steep croup. Otherwise looks pretty stout with good bone and nice feet.

 

[Kayla coady]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping I will get some advise and information from creating this post, all comments are welcome. We are looking at a young horse to buy he is a three rising four year old gelding, Irish sport horse x halflinger unrecorded breeding currently stands apparently 15,1 we are hoping to go see him next Wednesday. He is just broken and hasn’t done much work for building muscle yet ... here he is
View attachment 1131931
I’m sorry if the picture shows up small,
This is him, so any flaws and goods in the conformation that you may see I’d appreciate if you could point them out and explain if you can why it’s good or bad, I do have somewhat an idea of conformation and I realise he is 3 and has some growing possibly yet and filling out, I’m not to sure about conformation in the hocks and stifle but anything you can see point it out and it will be much appreciated thanks everyone !

He's lovely!!! just lovey. I rode an Irish sport horse (Irish Draught x Trakener) for several years. Best horse I ever rode! so sweet, so sensitive, so much 'try' in him, and an engine that was lovely to ride. This horse looks a lot like Z. He has the same high neck, large/heavy head, good feet etc. The only flaws I can see are that his back legs are a bit overly straight and his croup is a bit short and upright. But honestly, he is well balanced with a good shoulder for jumping. I would take him in a heartbeat!

I'll see if I can find a photo of the ISH that I rode some years back . . . View attachment 1131940 View attachment 1131941

Lovely horse, I thought his backend or croup is very upright but I believe when he frowns up some more remembering he is only three that will soften out, as for straightness in the back legs I haven’t much a clue, so wondering what that could effect how does that effect joints and movement does it put strain or and allow for bad movement thanks for your input so far, anything else that you can see good or bad, I want it all laid out on paper before we see him, we have some movement videos and has a nice step...

 

[Kayla coady]

Overly straight through the leg with a steep croup. Otherwise looks pretty stout with good bone and nice feet.

Thank you for input , again as the lady before I’m not very experienced with conformation other than I can recognise he from my understanding does have good bone with a nice Pastern length and slope, could you further explain the overly straightness where you spot that and what it could effect in the future and as he is now, and sane for the steep croup, can that be changed as he fills out and builds muscle, thank you!

 

[Kayla coady]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping I will get some advise and information from creating this post, all comments are welcome. We are looking at a young horse to buy he is a three rising four year old gelding, Irish sport horse x halflinger unrecorded breeding currently stands apparently 15,1 we are hoping to go see him next Wednesday. He is just broken and hasn’t done much work for building muscle yet ... here he is
View attachment 1131931
I’m sorry if the picture shows up small,
This is him, so any flaws and goods in the conformation that you may see I’d appreciate if you could point them out and explain if you can why it’s good or bad, I do have somewhat an idea of conformation and I realise he is 3 and has some growing possibly yet and filling out, I’m not to sure about conformation in the hocks and stifle but anything you can see point it out and it will be much appreciated thanks everyone !

Here is another photo for reference I feel like his neck looks not proportionate to his body in this although looks perfect in the other picture, as for straightness in the hind I see it and I’m wondering if it would actually cause problems??

 

[QtrBel]

His neck looks short and at this point overly thin for his frame but that can change as he fills out. It'll still be short.

Having overly straight rear legs can cause excessive concussion and bruising to the feet. They also cannot absorb energy through their leg and have trouble pushing off.

 

[horselovinguy]

He has a light/weak hind end with the SI joint, pelvic girdle placed so far back.
That "bump" is where spine and hips join = motor.
When so far back, yes, steep croup, less motor, less hind-end getting under himself.
No, in my opinion he will not outgrow that deficit and will forever be at a disadvantage in scope doing many activities and yes, his straighter hind legs seen in the last picture of his left hind is accurate of his normal stance.
You as a rider will take a pounding on your body as he will on his too.

He is posed and not square on 4 in that picture...
He's cute, but has some weaknesses in his build as others have mentioned.
3 years old, he is what you see for the most part...only going to chunk up with maturity but bone frame and stance is what it is going to be.
🐴.... jmo...

 

[Kayla coady]

He has a light/weak hind end with the SI joint, pelvic girdle placed so far back.
That "bump" is where spine and hips join = motor.
When so far back, yes, steep croup, less motor, less hind-end getting under himself.
No, in my opinion he will not outgrow that deficit and will forever be at a disadvantage in scope doing many activities and yes, his straighter hind legs seen in the last picture of his left hind is accurate of his normal stance.
You as a rider will take a pounding on your body as he will on his too.

View attachment 1131953
He is posed and not square on 4 in that picture...
He's cute, but has some weaknesses in his build as others have mentioned.
3 years old, he is what you see for the most part...only going to chunk up with maturity but bone frame and stance is what it is going to be.
🐴.... jmo...

Yes he is a beautiful horse, he does look weak in this photo, which it why I asked about conformation viewing this horse, I want him to be an allrounder as such if he could jump up to a 1 metre course and do generally a low level nice dressage test he is perfect regardless but if this will definitely cause lameness problems or just a more uncomfortable ride, lameness will have to be put into the conclusion ....

 

[Kayla coady]

His neck looks short and at this point overly thin for his frame but that can change as he fills out. It'll still be short.

Having overly straight rear legs can cause excessive concussion and bruising to the feet. They also cannot absorb energy through their leg and have trouble pushing off.

Doesn’t sound good 😬 is he bad very overly straight, as said in my other reply I want him as an allrounder to jump a 1 metre course and do a nice low level dressage test would he be able, if it is less lameness and more just a slight uncomfortable ride I would be happier

 

[Kayla coady]

Doesn’t sound good 😬 is he bad very overly straight, as said in my other reply I want him as an allrounder to jump a 1 metre course and do a nice low level dressage test would he be able, if it is less lameness and more just a slight uncomfortable ride I would be happier

a screenshot from video of him moving at point of most extent... I have a few videos pictures which all tell me different I think having a look in person will be beneficial, anything to look for regardless of conformation and for conformation also?

 

[horselovinguy]

I see extension, now you need to see collection and how he moves doing that if you want a all-around type horse.
I look at his head carriage in the picture provided and don't know if that meets your needs or not...
As a horse with a under-powered hind-end, on tough courses he may have difficulty if you truly tax his ability.
The hind-end scares me honestly in elevating the risk of catastrophic breakdown of tendons from the push you need to do your activities.
The neck bothers me too when you refer to doing 1 meter jumping with him... its so important the body is balanced for the bascule you need in the air to clear cleanly jumps of that size, especially as the horse tires. With such a high tie-in it limits what he is going to be able to do...short thick necks limit agility...you need agility to jump those heights. He is going to be heavy on his forehand nearly constantly.. Add the weak hind-end...
A PPE with a lameness vet specialist is where I would go if you go see and really like in person, then shake out all the dust and fine-tooth comb look for those deficits and failings. You need a vet who can predict growth outcome with where in their development the animal now is.

I'm sorry, the more I look at him and go back and read what you want him for... go look, but stop looking at his color and look at him...
You don't ride pretty, you ride functional. He's front end heavy and hind-end weak is not a good combination.
I think I would pass or your goals may need change done as not sure this guy can physically do what you desire...he may have heart and try, but if he not have the body to allow it...you're stuck. I also can see him breaking down, being lame from strains and ruptures in time with demands on him made.
He is a pretty color, but you have to view the animal, not the pretty color he is...and he is not built well. Truth.
sorry.
🐴...

 

[Acadianartist]

Not super-knowledgeable about conformation so I wanted to wait and see what others had to say. Now that you've clarified your goals - 1 meter and dressage work - I would say this horse is not a good choice. I don't think those are realistic goals for him. The first thing I noticed was his very straight back legs too. The angle of his croup isn't good. He will struggle to jump any height, and will struggle with collection (needed for dressage).

He's very cute, and would make a lovely backyard pony, maybe a happy hacker, but for jumping a meter and doing dressage? Not likely.

 

[Kayla coady]

I see extension, now you need to see collection and how he moves doing that if you want a all-around type horse.
I look at his head carriage in the picture provided and don't know if that meets your needs or not...
As a horse with a under-powered hind-end, on tough courses he may have difficulty if you truly tax his ability.
The hind-end scares me honestly in elevating the risk of catastrophic breakdown of tendons from the push you need to do your activities.
The neck bothers me too when you refer to doing 1 meter jumping with him... its so important the body is balanced for the bascule you need in the air to clear cleanly jumps of that size, especially as the horse tires. With such a high tie-in it limits what he is going to be able to do...short thick necks limit agility...you need agility to jump those heights. He is going to be heavy on his forehand nearly constantly.. Add the weak hind-end...
A PPE with a lameness vet specialist is where I would go if you go see and really like in person, then shake out all the dust and fine-tooth comb look for those deficits and failings. You need a vet who can predict growth outcome with where in their development the animal now is.

I'm sorry, the more I look at him and go back and read what you want him for... go look, but stop looking at his color and look at him...
You don't ride pretty, you ride functional. He's front end heavy and hind-end weak is not a good combination.
I think I would pass or your goals may need change done as not sure this guy can physically do what you desire...he may have heart and try, but if he not have the body to allow it...you're stuck. I also can see him breaking down, being lame from strains and ruptures in time with demands on him made.
He is a pretty color, but you have to view the animal, not the pretty color he is...and he is not built well. Truth.
sorry.
🐴...

It would be interesting to see him loose jumping to see what power he does get behind over jumps, I think with the conformation photos he is inconsistent in that second one but the first one shows a good neck, and some videos I have show a good neck the idea of little power for the horse isn’t great but I am still willing to view him and see what he can do and if he isn’t suited perfectly to me then I can produce him to sell him on, I understand what you are saying about him being pretty nice colour pretty face, but all the same we have to look at his usefulness I think if he has a quiet personality and a motivation to work he could make the perfect t first horse or low level allrounder type...

 

[Acadianartist]

It would be interesting to see him loose jumping to see what power he does get behind over jumps, I think with the conformation photos he is inconsistent in that second one but the first one shows a good neck, and some videos I have show a good neck the idea of little power for the horse isn’t great but I am still willing to view him and see what he can do and if he isn’t suited perfectly to me then I can produce him to sell him on, I understand what you are saying about him being pretty nice colour pretty face, but all the same we have to look at his usefulness I think if he has a quiet personality and a motivation to work he could make the perfect t first horse or low level allrounder type...

Yes, for a backyard pony maybe doing low jumps, he might be great. But regardless of neck, he doesn't have the back end for high jumping in my humble opinion. Or good collection. My daughter rode a couple of horses built like this for other people, and they always seemed uncomfortable when she tried to get them to collect. To the point where they would buck. The angle of the pelvis is just not suitable for that purpose. However, if he is well-priced and has a good, quiet mind, he might be a good horse to finish and sell on.

 

[horselovinguy]

I found you this article..........
An easy read and all the things I and others have concern for...well, they are all mentioned not favorably.

Evaluating Horse Conformation

When examining horses for conformation, either when considering a purchase or competing in horse judging contests, it is important to break things down into key principles to avoid becoming overwhelmed when putting the overall picture together. There are five main criteria to evaluate when...

extension.uga.edu

Purchasing to flip, to put time and training on sounds wonderful, then to move him on for profit...
Just remember that as you saw faults, problems and challenges so will others.
He may not be as easy to sell as you might think...
With the right goals in his future he will do well.
But no, sorry the jumping ability and dressage his body is just not complimentary to doing well for any length of time without soundness issues front or hind making a ugly appearance.
🐴....

 

[Kayla coady]

I found you this article..........
An easy read and all the things I and others have concern for...well, they are all mentioned not favorably.

Evaluating Horse Conformation

When examining horses for conformation, either when considering a purchase or competing in horse judging contests, it is important to break things down into key principles to avoid becoming overwhelmed when putting the overall picture together. There are five main criteria to evaluate when...

extension.uga.edu

Purchasing to flip, to put time and training on sounds wonderful, then to move him on for profit...
Just remember that as you saw faults, problems and challenges so will others.
He may not be as easy to sell as you might think...
With the right goals in his future he will do well.
But no, sorry the jumping ability and dressage his body is just not complimentary to doing well for any length of time without soundness issues front or hind making a ugly appearance.
🐴....

Wondering given he is three, when he is 5 the muscle he will grow and general filling out will make him better , I understand he will always lack power due to being overly straight, but through the topline, croup area, neck, shoulder he will grow muscle and become stronger it should help the conformation faults and with the right rest time and looking after he shouldn’t go lame often at all? Also parts of his bone structure is still to mature if I am right

I don’t know if that means it will change or just get stronger? But something to look into. I really like the look of this horse as many would it’s a shame he lacks in the back area which is why I’m really looking for answers to what his limit would be and examples of horses like this and how they are working in the equestrian world ... I want to be able to jump every few weeks at 90-1m I want to be able to do novice hunter trials at 80-90 and I want a horse that can go on the bit with a floaty trot with some collection also but not fei level just a small bit of play if you get me ...

 

[Kayla coady]

comparison this is my other pony 22 years of age picture taken right now, he is definitely inward here or too straight in the back I have had him two years and he has gone lame once from spooking and trotting too fast and far down the road and he was lame on the front for two weeks. He has done novice hunter trials with me and capable of doing 90 course but I have kept to80 and has won a league jumping 80 he is trained in for dressage but he is a comfy ride and has the potential to do dressage but being his age I don’t think he needs to start really, he also competed in the dublin horse show for 90cm working hunter and has done successful in hand showing .... he is as you can see for filled out and curvy with a big neck but the other being three I expect with more filling out and muscle building work he will look close enough to the same

 

[horselovinguy]

I think your questions really need to be put to a vet with the animal in front of them.
Fat, skinny, muscled or not the bone structure is what it is and the muscles, tendons and ligaments are going to be aided or hurt by the bones structure underneath...the frame.
If you build a home on a lopsided foundation it can only withstand so much before failure starts,...same as our horses.
You've alluded to having some breakdown issues occurring with your aging horse...and can see similarities in build I'm sure that may be contributing factors.

I also don't know what are the breed specifics for the cross this horse is.
But a horse is a horse and my comment was for "a horse" and would be said for any animal no matter its breed or bloodline.

One other observation I had and forgot to mention is the horses right hind... that hoof and angle not match the other rear nor the fronts...and there is usually a pairing. I hesitate to say club because it is a hind and honestly I've not ever seen a club behind, don't know if that is such a thing.
If, if I saw that on a front hoof I would call him club-footed...and that too for me, no -go as clubs can be limiting in the pounding it takes and a closer proximity of the hoof interior bones and how they can rub to each other with straightness and narrow commonly seen in my experiences mainly with OTTB..

He is to cute to not go see.
But you need to see with color-blind eyes so you see the horse, not his shiny golden coat.
Let the vet help to guide you cause they are far more trained in things present and what the potential it tells of to come.
For a quick flip....not sure the $ return will be as much as you hope for and as said before, if you see where he lacks so will others and that hurts you on sale price and ease of making a sale.
🐴...

 

[Kayla coady]

I think your questions really need to be put to a vet with the animal in front of them.
Fat, skinny, muscled or not the bone structure is what it is and the muscles, tendons and ligaments are going to be aided or hurt by the bones structure underneath...the frame.
If you build a home on a lopsided foundation it can only withstand so much before failure starts,...same as our horses.
You've alluded to having some breakdown issues occurring with your aging horse...and can see similarities in build I'm sure that may be contributing factors.

I also don't know what are the breed specifics for the cross this horse is.
But a horse is a horse and my comment was for "a horse" and would be said for any animal no matter its breed or bloodline.

One other observation I had and forgot to mention is the horses right hind... that hoof and angle not match the other rear nor the fronts...and there is usually a pairing. I hesitate to say club because it is a hind and honestly I've not ever seen a club behind, don't know if that is such a thing.
If, if I saw that on a front hoof I would call him club-footed...and that too for me, no -go as clubs can be limiting in the pounding it takes and a closer proximity of the hoof interior bones and how they can rub to each other with straightness and narrow commonly seen in my experiences mainly with OTTB..

He is to cute to not go see.
But you need to see with color-blind eyes so you see the horse, not his shiny golden coat.
Let the vet help to guide you cause they are far more trained in things present and what the potential it tells of to come.
For a quick flip....not sure the $ return will be as much as you hope for and as said before, if you see where he lacks so will others and that hurts you on sale price and ease of making a sale.
🐴...

Understandable, disappointing but I can see the sense I have asked them for another conformation photo fully square straight from the side so we can see the hind..