critique my colt

Missin Spots · Yearling Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

FINALLY got decent pics of my colt opinions please
This is my baby he is two year old appaloosa

Inyureye · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject:

He looks like a compact, sound, little packer. I say little, but I don't know how tall he is. I'm used to looking at TBs, so his pasterns look upright and short to me, yet they seem strong and with probably just enough slope that they can absorb impact and stay sound; I suspect he might be a short, choppy ride, but I may be wrong, because he may be able to get his front end up and out of the way; and that observation may be only in comparison to a long-strided, cushiony-pasterened large horse I am used to. He has an uphill build, which I like, because it means he can get his back end underneath himself and use his back well. He seems to have a "high" set neck, and I don't know what this means, unless it means he will be up in your lap during hard work, but it also may mean he will be able, to, again, get his front end up so he can use his haunches and back well. For me, he would be a handy little jumper, possibly a good eventer, because of his ability to use his back end well and power his front end high over jumps. If you wanted a cow pony, I wonder if he would drop his head and be able to drop down on his forehand enough. I like him. He has a bit of a clunky head, but I like the rest of him enough not to mind it. Handsome guy.
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Inyureye · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 7:07 pm Post subject:

I was reminded, and rightly so, that I am not a "cow pony" person, and my comments on the above about the forehand are actually incorrect about how horses use themselves in that way, so I welcome any corrections in what I was talking about - they were my first thinks but they may not be useful or correct. I would like to hear how other folks see this youngster and his conformation. Hope I didn't make you feel bad! Don't listen to me!!
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TX-WI · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 7:57 pm Post subject:

Well, this angle of the pic still isn't all that great. But you can still tell a lot about him. Good points, he is well built and looks to be of nice size and hardiness. Hindend looks good but with a better pic, could tell more about his hindquarters. So far his hocks look nice and deep but he looks like he turns out but hard to tell if he is cowhock a bit (can't be too bad) or just turns out below the hocks. If he just splays a bit below the hocks, this gives him the advantage of balanced stops.

His front end would not give a very smooth ride for WP. His shoulder looks to be too upright. He ties in well into his chest but his neck looks to be a tad short but not overly thick/chunky. His head could be more pleasant but it could be the picture. He doesn't appear to be too thrilled.

He has the looks of a really good cow horse especially for roping and other cow work. My opinion, this colt would make a really great performance gelding.

However, remember this is just only my opinion and I am only one person.
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mcc4ever · Member Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 77 Location: Omaha, NE

I don't have much to critique about your colt, it seems to me that everyone else has done a pretty good job. I did think to throw this out there for a bit of overall education though...

In regards to the "cow" horses...possibly the worst thing that one can do is to get heavy on the forehand. A good cow horse will tuck its hind end under it and sit on its hocks. I know in pictures it looks like the front end gets low, or "down in the dirt" but this look is impossibly if a horse is heavy on the front end. Also, the nice head drop look that the cow horses get is not actually a "head drop" at all, it is the result of a neck that ties in well, and then an elevated back. When the cow horses "sit" on there hind end, they also have to elevate the back if they hope to make another turn with the cow. But this again is impossible with a heavy forehand.

Taliesin · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 10:14 am Post subject:

This is so interesting that my curiosity is really piqued -- but what happened to the picture??? I can't see the horse the posts are referring to.

Or is it just me -- ??

Inyureye · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 11:19 am Post subject:

The address she used for the picture is a blank page. Don't know why. Also, whe put her entire post in Quote brackets. But first, she is going to have to figure out what the address of her photo is, and put into the post correctly. Rolling Eyes

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TX-WI · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 1:44 pm Post subject:

Taliesin · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 4:34 pm Post subject:

Well, isn't that funny -- I see the picture now, too!

His pasterns don't look that steep to me, but some of them look longer than others -- must be the photo angle/lens distortion. (I remember one QH I rode long ago who had totally post-straight legs -- and gaits to match.) Your guy looks as if he would be pretty comfortable to ride.

I am learning so much from the comments from others, though, thanks!

Missin Spots · Yearling Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

well picture appears fine on my end possibly the server for photobucket was down thats maybe why the pic didnt show up???Other then that way of posting pic i dont know how as my daughter had to show me that she is the computer whiz
thanks for the comments...i will get a pic of him sqaured up better he was not being cooperative with that photo session
the more i look at that pic i really dont like it either hahaha but it is the best i have at this moment in time
ALSO why is it that EVERYONE is so gelding happy??I have not made any firm descions as to what i am doing at this time as he is still just a baby but IMO it is my choice what i do in the end I dont need people lecturing me on GELDING I came and asked about what people thought of his conformation not about what sex he is thanks

Taliesin · Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 5:37 pm Post subject:

Maybe I missed something, but I didn't read any earlier message as anyone pushing you to geld him -- he's only 2, so surely most people would agree there's time to decide where he's going. I hope?

Missin Spots · Yearling Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Only reason i asaid that is someone said

Taliesin · Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 2:40 pm Post subject:

Yesterday I remembered to take the camera but I forgot to take any pictures!

Missin Spots · Yearling Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Well unfortunatly the weather hasnt been cooperating here ...but i went thru all the pics i had and hopefully this one of him is a little better but again he is holding his head all stupid as he couldnt figure out what the heck i was doing to him going around in circles and flash and shuffle him around flash LOL he wasnt impressed lol but we got thru it all lol
I just started some training with him so the camara will be out lots thru the summer so you have been warned LOL i guess I should warn him to lol... more of that pesky FLASH! let alone the scary saddle bridle and eventually a rider hahaha he laughs now at the other horses wait till it happens to him HAHAHAHHAA that will be another post...