Conformation Crit please...

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Deefa

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My YO is selling her HW coloured cob and i wondered what everyone thought of his conformation?

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He's very loaded in the shoulder and thick at the base of the neck.
I dont like the way his back dips just behind the wither and it's hard to tell if he is croup high or not, he looks to be.
He looks to be back at the knee and a little long in the hind cannons.

Probably a nice allround sort but not show quality
 
He looks a bit short backed, but thats quite common for his type, I do really like him though.
He is overweight which is making it harder to say, as that could make him look heavier set then he actually is and should be
 
As i said on your thread in PG, i think he looks a nice alrounder. What i didn't say was that he is so obese it is hard to tell what he looks like under all the flab. I think he would sell better if he went on a strict diet etc for a few weeks.
 
He looks just fine for his type. Good conformation I would say. one
has to remember the type of horse you are giving a confo critic for. Its no good comparing the conformation of a race horse with a heavy cob, or even a Dressage horse. remember its horses for courses heavy cobs were bred for pulling a cart or hard farm work, not Dressage or eventing FFS !!!
 
Storminateacup said:
He looks just fine for his type. Good conformation I would say. one
has to remember the type of horse you are giving a confo critic for. Its no good comparing the conformation of a race horse with a heavy cob, or even a Dressage horse. remember its horses for courses heavy cobs were bred for pulling a cart or hard farm work, not Dressage or eventing FFS !!!
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TBH I do not see anyone or think any one would compare him to a race horse.
I am looking at him as a lovely heavy built cob, who are built like this, he is still overweight and it is altering the way his conformation is coming across in the photo, he will always be heavy built but does not to go on a diet. No need for the ffs I feel...
 
Moggyinmanolos said:
TBH I do not see anyone or think any one would compare him to a race horse.
I am looking at him as a lovely heavy built cob, who are built like this, he is still overweight and it is altering the way his conformation is coming across in the photo, he will always be heavy built but does not to go on a diet. No need for the ffs I feel...
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No .. but some people constantly compare everything to the conformation of a fairly standard hunter type in a veterinary manual! Cobs generally have lower withers than croup, for being a good puller of carts, plus straight hocks are very strong, likewise and better for the job . Being slightly back at the knee, also projects the weight forward, ie suitable for pulling heavy weights again.
I just get sick of the usual boring criticisms contantly leveled at the cob conformation, by the apparently clueless.
I have my opinion which I am as much entitled to it as anyone else on this forum, FFS!!
 
Storminateacup said:
No .. but some people constantly compare everything to the conformation of a fairly standard hunter type in a veterinary manual! Cobs generally have lower withers than croup, for being a good puller of carts, plus straight hocks are very strong, likewise and better for the job . Being slightly back at the knee, also projects the weight forward, ie suitable for pulling heavy weights again.
I just get sick of the usual boring criticisms contantly leveled at the cob conformation, by the apparently clueless.
I have my opinion which I am as much entitled to it as anyone else on this forum, FFS!!
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Yes, you are entitled.
I am a heavy cob owner and lover and I do not see this constant comparison you mention to something standard at all, maybe I have missed the posts, I only see weight arguments break out. I think everyone said he is nice for his type, I really love this cob here, and apologies to OP for this but I will not have this matter confused. I love cobs and their conformation, myself along with the others said he needs to lose a bit of weight!

The question was asked by the OP, so I tried to find something to critique on, he is shorter backed like my cob is, its the way she is made, I would still buy him, it was in her title, she wanted a critique. You are entitled to your opinion and you can go on all you like and swear all you like if you really feel it necessary!
Anyway, I am done with this petty argument, cobs/traditionals are my favourite breeds and I love their heavy build! But I do not like to have a fat horse whatever breed of conformation, too many risks I am afraid.
 
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Storminateacup said:
I just get sick of the usual boring criticisms contantly leveled at the cob conformation, by the apparently clueless.
I have my opinion which I am as much entitled to it as anyone else on this forum, FFS!!
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Woah, what's with the aggression.... :confused: I can't see where anyone has said anything remotely offensive :confused:
 
I'm a cob owner, a heavy cob at that, and I think this horse is unfortunately very overweight too, which is not helping his looks or his health. But this horse doesn't belong to the OP so there isn't going to be much she can do about it! A slimmed down horse would look much better as he would not look so solid through the neck in particular, nor so short in the back without the droopy belly accentuating it, nor so weak in the hindquarters which he probably isn't, its an optical illusion created by the heavy front end and middle sections.

For what its worth, a neck as solid and cresty looking as this horse's is an indication that he is very likely to get laminitis. If I was the owner I would be dieting this horse as much as possible without risking causing other problems by starving him and getting him on a fitness programme starting with walking out very purposefully to start to shift the flab. This will benefit the horse's health and also increase his value as he will look better, seeing as OP says he is for sale.
 
He's a very likeable sort but I do think he is heavy-topped and doesn't have enough bone for his build. That might be because he is overweight though!
 
As a heavy cobby person I would query if this crest is due to having been cut late? He is a bit flabby (cant comment too much as I know how hard it is and currently have a getting thinner flabby cob). I am only saying this as his bone doesnt seem to match his shoulder. He is a nice short coupled cob though. Personally I think his head is a bit large for a proprer gypsy cob, but thats me being picky.
 
I think for what he is he is great. I would clip him right out, everything off, and hog him. He would look well smart then. However, I just love have heavy/ hairy Xs and then transforming them. Its what I do.
 
Thanks everyone. He is overwieght as he has been off work but is now on a diet and is being ridden regularly by me and me freind so hoping the wieght will come off.
He is a lovely boy but not a novice ride as is forward going (and has one cracking jump on him!)
 
Best of luck with the diet for him!

I don't mean to nag but please don't tie direct to the plank, use some bailing/sissal twine.
 
Somethingorother - I think that is a bit harsh! "so obese / all that flab". I'd say he is carrying a bit much but obese, not for his type. Yes he'd could quite probably look better with some of that weight off, but I think he's a nice little chap, true to his type.
 
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