Thoughts on this yearling?

[DFCottage]

I went out to visit this yearling yesterday, and I'd love to have some input on him. He's about 15 months old, currently 14.2h, should top out around 16.2. He's mostly TB with a little clyde thrown in there for good measure

He's an absolute doll!! His lovely eyes just suck you in... when I walked into the pasture and he came right over, and let me pet him everywhere.. a great sign. He moves quite nicely. What I love (aside from what I mentioned above) is that he has a lovely shoulder, nice hip, great head, clean throat area. He definitely needs groceries, but that's easily done (crossing fingers!) Minus: while I do like his length of neck, I'm not crazy about the tie-in up top... almost ewe-ish, but I hate to call it that. I think this might be somewhat of a grocery issue. But the price is very very right, and I think down the line he'd make a very nice hunter. A note: in the first pic, he had just started to shift his weight to the left, so that front really isn't at that steep an angle.. the very next pic I took that RF was up...

Thoughts?

 

[ShrekDawg]

He's cute and what is "groceries"? he is so cute tho and I would say get him. He is so lovely and hansome and sweet and he seems to already love you and have a bond with you. So I say get him. He is so cute and so adorable!

 

[DFCottage]

Groceries=feed

He hasn't been on grain for a bit (long story) so starting him up on some good grain will help him add a bit of weight.

 

[CountryMom]

Yes he definitely needs groceries, but that is an easy fix. It is why his neck looks thin. His angles are right and for what you are looking for he is put together right. I personally would love a lower hock and a bigger butt. LOLOL

But that is from a QH person too.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Yes, I'd say a good worming & some Equine Junior and he'd be good to go. I wouldn't worry about the top of his neck too much--with weight, age & collection, he'll probably muscle up nicely. He's a little long in the pasterns but should be alright--with moderate jump work, I'd think?

 

[steve2495]

i show hunter/jumpers and for a yearling he looks great! he has good eyes too no white. he is a little skinny but easily fixed. i think he could make a great hunter, his trot looks good just in the pic

 

[ShrekDawg]

Quote:
Oh that makes sense

 

[Redyre Rotties]

I think he is a very nice youngster, and I agree with the others that some poundage will fix his neck issue, along with a bit more maturity.

Definitely love the head and expression, you are right about that beautiful soft eye.

 

[DFCottage]

Thanks! Yeah I do agree the neck issue is mostly attributed to the weight. He has a great mind for a baby (one of the first things I look for next to conformation, they've got to be able to do the job I'm hoping they'll want to do! haha) He does have a decent rump and I think with time and groceries that'll bulk up too. Would love to show him as a 2 y.o. on the line.. but we'll see! The owner said that when he's not bleached out he's a lovely dark chocolate color...

 

[Centaurheart]

I think hes tail is set a little low, but that's probably the clyde in him. I'd ask myself a couple of questions before purchasing him though.

1. What am I using him for?
2. Do I absolutely need to get him to 16.2 or am I happy with him being around 15 hh?

What your using him for is critical because seeing pictures means we can't give opinions because we can't really see his action. Does his confirmation look okay? Sure, I've seen a lot worse and a lot better. On first impressions he'd probably be a good pleasure horse - we can't give opinions on anything else unless we see his action. He is put together up front so he can move out, sure, but I'm with the poster who commented about his hind end... it looks weak weak weak.

Also size... its important. The reason I say that is that he is thin. It's critical for the TBs and Drafts or the mixes to get as much good quality food stuffed down their gullet as possible when they are actually growing which is from weaning on. You can measure out his legs, get a good guess on what he SHOULD be from them, but if his nutrition was lacking I wouldn't count on the maturation of 16.2 at all.

Truthfully, I wouldn't pay more than about $500 for a horse like this, and that is pushing it. Around here where I live you can pick up grade geldings like this for a lot less in this condition. It's obvious hes not registered, hes not flashy, and hes underweight with a potential ewe-neck. Necks on horses are incredibly important for balance and collection, especially if you want to use him as a hunter (I'm still not sure that is what you want him for!). I'm not trying to be mean about it - but thats my feedback.

EDIT: Also, at 15 months if hes gonna be 16.2 hh, he'd be already far taller than what you're stating he is. I have slow growing breeds, some of which top out at 18 hh, and even my warmbloods were large babies and tall tall tall at that age. If hes still a dinker at 15 months, he's not going to hit 16.2.