Thoughts on this yearling?

[bwebb7]

I love his flat knee and reach. I also love that his neck is growing out of his chest and NOT from between his legs.

 

[DFCottage]

Centaurheart- well considering he's already at 14.2, I'm sure he will make it past 15 hh

Height is good for me, considering I'm 5 8". I really don't think the other poster said his hind end was weak, just that they'd prefer a lower hock and bigger butt.. I'd enjoy that too, but I personally don't look at this horse and see a weak hind end (though I certainly would enjoy a lower hock!

) The first pic I'm not standing at the best angle to show off his rear, but the 3rd (aside from his tail in the way) you can see that it's a bit rounder. I think he is flashy actually.. he's quite a nice mover, and despite him not having much white I think he still could grow up to be an incredibly attractive individual. Personally, I think this horse has hunter written all over him... if I were to use him as a dressage prospect then I'd definitely be concerned about the neck. But I can spend time after starting him doing various exercises to strengthen up those muscles to get him to use them to the best of his ability, considering what he was given. And I wouldn't say that he definitely would be taller than 14.2 at 15 months if he was going to hit 16.2.. I've dealt with plenty of babies that have been barely 14h at this age and would finish out at 16.1 or 16.2 without any trouble. Every individual grows differently

But I appreciate your feedback.

And so you can see his movement, here are some short clips of him playing in the pasture:

This clip he's canter uphill, so he's a bit more animated with the front..oh.. and catch that natural flying change too!)

 

[lorieMN]

a yearling running on just grass he looks about like what I would expect him to with that breeding..he is a little thin,but then again look at the breeding and feeding..and you know what it doesnt matter what anyone else would pay for him..if you like him and are willing to pay what you can get him for then I guess he is worth it..you couldnt give me this horse..but I have no use for him,doesnt mean he isnt worth anything,he just isnt to me..if you like this type and have use for him and can get him at a price you are happy with then go get 'em..and have fun!!

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I'm a cutting/reining enthusiast (30+ years worth) and I kinda like what I see. He uses himself well. I like the scope of his stride and the way he uses his back--it doesn't wobble or roll. His stride is smooth, not choppy at all. I, too, like his kind eye. If the mind matches the eye you could do a lot with him. He LOOKS like a hunter.

IF you've got the time--and the skill!!--he looks to be worth the effort.

Good luck!

 

[Centaurheart]

Sounds like your mind is already made up.

Which is what it should be if YOUR WILLING to work with what you get and YOU think hes flashing and priced right. I was just stating what I thought since that is what you asked for - including my thoughts on his confirmation, which I still stand by after viewing the brief films.

My grandfather gave me some really good advice about horses when I was little... breed or buy exactly what you want and need. I think that stood be good in terms of chickens, purchasing from breeders who sell sexed chicks etc, and its always great advice for purchasing horses too. I've always stood by that as a third generation sporthorse breeder who's scaled way down to just pleasure horses for dressage, driving, and with a smattering of costume.

 

[patandchickens]

From the standpoint of wanting horses to stay as sound as possible for as many years of work as possible, I *like* the condition he's in, compared to an awful lot of what's been for sale in the last twenty years. (Well ok, he could probably use a couple good wormings). When you feed the bejeebers out of yearlings, especially with TB and/or draft background, you may get an extra couple inches of height but you get joint and soft tissue problems as well, like as not. Horses, especially largeish horses, are not supposed to grow explosively as babies, they are supposed to put on good structure first and *then* weight, and at a moderate pace. I truly, honestly believe that what you're looking at in that picture is not malnutrition (which does weaken a horse in the long run), it's *appropriate proper* growth, which many people are not so used to seeing in this day and age, alas.

I'm not impressed by his hind end but on a tb/clyde I would not expect it to be too limiting to his jumping ability -- he's a questionmark for the higher divisions, but frankly most horses from most bloodlines you just have to wait and see for that anyhow. It's not actually dysfunctionally built or anything.

The neck is not Warmblood-high-and-arched and never will be; no matter how you feed and exercise him, he'll look like an older-style (like pre-1980s) type hunter, but, so? Those are good horses too

The only thing I am kind of skeptical about, on him, is the length and set of pasterns. I would really like to see them a bit shorter and his feet more *under* his legs. On a grown horse I'd say that construction would augur poorly for his long-term soundness over fences; but it is less 'fixed' in young stock and honestly it has been long enough since I looked at a whole lotta TB yearlings that I don't 100% trust my judgement on it here. If you can see his sire and/or dam and their pasterns/feet are where they should be, that would be an encouraging sign.

Really, overall, the way he looks and with mostly-TB-a-little-Clyde, he should be able to go 3' no problem, beyond that who knows. A little draft blood in a mostly-TB almost always makes a very nice riding horse, IME. So if he has a good temperament as is currently sound and you can afford to store him somewhere for a couple years til he reaches useable age, then I'd say go for it.

(Although, for what you'd likely spend keeping him for a coupla years til you can do anything with him -- and with *any* draft blood in the mix, I'd be extra conservative about when to start him and how much work -- it seems to me that you could probably buy just as nice a horse of startable age and KNOW he's made it through those years safe and sound. Still, if you want a yearling, this is as good an affordable prospect as any, IMO)

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[duckboatprincess]

Well... IMO, I kinda like his backside. With work and maturity, it may get a bit bigger, but I like the "round-look" personally. His neck more than likely will fill out a bit with age. I think he looks nice. He's got a pretty face, that's for sure. Everyone thinks that conformation is everything and while it is a major thing, the mind is most important. He looks to be well socialized and willing. A major plus! I think that for the right price, he'd be well worth it. Just make sure that if you're showing him on a line at two, you take it REAL easy. I've seen too many horses with blown hocks and knees from being pushed too hard to young. Escpecially with thoroughbred and clyds in him, you have to be extra careful to preserve his legs. Take it slow. Even if you don't get to do everything you want by three or four, it will be well worth it (and cheaper) in the long run. While the other horses his age are breaking down, he'll be going strong with good legs and a good mind. I say go for it!!!

 

[halo]

Im glad I read thru this before posting. I agree with Pat; what I dont like about him is he looks very soft in the pasterns. Generally as they grow bigger and put more weight on, the issue can be a bit exaggerated. If I were looking for a race prospect, Id nix him for that, but for what you intend him for he might be alright.

He is pretty cute.

 

[CountryMom]

Quote:
I said I like the back end of a horse to be lower hocked and bigger in the butt. I didn't say weak. I am not trying to be a snip about it, but I wanted to make it clear that I am speaking this from a working cow horse background and not from a halter, English or pleasure horse background. All the power of a working cow horse is in the back end.

As far as comparing him to a Warmblood I have recently taking in for some ground work who is 5 years old, this guy is much much nicer. This youngins back end makes his look weeny! LOL And that is comparing a yearling with a full papered Warmblood who was a stallion up until he was injured.

You are looking at a yearling mind you. By the time he is three years old - or even four you are going to see an entirely different horse. This yearling has absolutely no muscle tone. From the action picture in the first post (didn't watch his video movements) I can see he is young and hasn't been worked with as he stretches out that front leg more to the side than crossing over or tracking straight. So his movement is also way unpolished.

In order to figure what you are going to get from this guy, you have to look beyond the rough exterior of lack of weight and muscle. His structure is there. As with his neck, his rump will also fill out with groceries. His hock is where it is, but not nearly as high as some I have seen. And for the pasterns, that will come with time to see if they will be sound enough or at the right angles for a sound horse. I assume he hasn't had a good trim in a while either. The main thing you need to figure out is if he is going to be easy for you to work with and enjoy as he ages and learns. Even the prettiest, most talented, and well balanced horse isn't going to mean squat if you cannot get along and train with this youngin.

 

[seymore0626]

I can't tell for sure from the first pic, but is his LF clubby? I think that he lacks balance (weaker rear than front), and is a little long in the pasterns making him look back at the knee in the first photo. IMO he is weak behind, hocks, gaskins, hip, and I didn't think he traveled all that well behind in the video clips. Again a big difference from the front. I don't like his topline that much. Also, remember that a nice, soft appearing eye can change dramatically when you start passing the feed cart on a regular basis.

I don't want to hurt your feelings, or make you defensive, but that's what I would tell a client who asked for my opinion on this colt, and while you aren't a client, you did ask for opinions!!!! Anyway, good luck with your decision!!!