Advice please re youngster for dressage..

[Fairynuff]

I asked the question on the lounge a few days ago and rec'd one reply so Im trying my luck here. Im saving up to by a weanling. As I havent got lots of dosh I wont be going for famous breeding lines but something normal (if you know what I mean). What do I look for in a baby that would convince me that he would be suitable for dressage in his conformation and movement . Thanks. Mairi.

 

[Bossanova]

In youngsters I like to see a bold, inquisitve nature first and foremost.
Conformation can be hard to judge at that age but look for a generally tough structure and nice limbs

 

[_jetset_]

Agree with Boss... nice legs are something to look for, and also if you can see come of its movement (loose in a school or in the field) then I think that will give you some ideas too.

 

[Partoow]

I have got a couple of my best horses by buying young. Infact my international horse i bought at 4months.
What struck me was his attitude , sheer arrogance,then i looked at how his neck was set into the shoulder, i do not like to see a dip between the whither and the neck. It must also not be 'tied' in at the base. I want to see a good croup and the set of the tail is also important as are the limbs. I want to see the hocks under the body with good flexion in the joint especially the hocks.
If you assess the foal before weaning they tend to still look complete you also have the dam to see her and her attitude. You will also get a good idea of her strengths and weaknesses.
After weaning i think buying youngsers is really difficult. It hard to tell what you've got then until they come out of the ugly duckling phase at about 3yrs!!!
I do also take a good look at bloodlines and try and look at other stock from the same sire and maybe dams sire lines. this will give you an idea of how strongly the stallion stamps the progeny.

 

[Imonone]

Definately, agree with Partoow. You want a good hidleg and well set on neck but it is very difficult to see this in the foals, you also want a bold attitude. When turned loose you can sometimes get a flash of how they hold themselves but they are generally so unbalanced it is difficult.

We always look at the breeding of the parents, particularly the mare which is often overlooked.

In adition a foal isnt always much cheaper than a 2 year old, when you can see much more what you are going to get, maybe not in terms of looks but in terms of movement.

 

[Fairynuff]

Thankyou all for the sound advice

. I now have an idea of what to look for and cant wait to get started . Maybe I'll find another Bonfire hiding in some godforsaken backwater

. M.