Conformation!

[Snickers]

Hello I'm looking to buy a horse for myself, and have found one, a fairly green little chestnut youngster, that I have just absolutely clicked with! (this is going to be a long post ) Me, being me, would just go for it and buy her, but I want something I can really compete on, and so I need to be realistic.

Now, I would adore to do affiliated dressage (though who knows, I'm doing well at prelim, placed consistantly 2nd or 3rd, and am ready really to go pre novice. This is on a 13hh pony I schooled myself, who I'm far far too big for. I don't know if I have the talent to go any further, but I'm obsessive about dressage and would certainly put in the hours) and like I said, I've fallen in love with this little horse! But there are certainly some problems, I'll list them here, I'd love if you guys could tell me what you think

- The first is conformation. She has a very nice neck and topline, her back is very correct, but the legs are a bit of a problem. It's nothing awful, just some typically thoroughbred confo faults. She's a bit over at the knee, and her hocks are somewhat straight. She's also quite narrow through the chest. She's pretty much matured so I don't think anything's going to change, only muscle will develop. I'm not paying a lot for her, my budget's limited, I can't afford something perfect, but I would like to know if this would affect her soundness. We'd be doing a bit of jumping (2.6ish at the very highest! I can do 3' with the little pony, but I genuinely can't see myself competing at that height xp) I'm not really a jumper, but a lot of dressage, and things like fun rides and fast hacks, if she's sensible about it. Oh, she doesn't brush when she moves!

- Another is that she's part bred hackney (tb x connemara x hackney) and has lovely paces, but they're not especially correct (she tracks up nicely, but dishes noticeably in front, and canter is slightly poor, but I think that's just through lack of balance) Would this work against us in dressage? Oh and would the hackney blood make it difficult to work in a nice outline? She's never really been schooled so I didn't attempt it with her, but yes, I need to be cautious

She'll have a 5* vetting, but I would really love to get your opinions and advice Sorry for rambling on and on for ages! New ponies are always exciting

 

[joe_carby]

im not a msaaive dressage buff but i would say that with the faults you are mentioning you will be struggling to do a good test as you progress as you wont get the correct movement or power.

 

[ThePony]

sorry if this sounds harsh, but I think she isn't the one for you. You sound as if you really have your heart set on dressage, but I think those conf issues would affect how far you could get. There are alot of good horses about for decent £, I think you could get something more likely to help you with the dressage. It sounds like you really like her though - do you want one you really click with or one to take you up the ranks in dressage? Would you always be a little bit dissapointed that your fab horsey friend wasn't v good at dressage, or if you really click with her would that be enough?

 

[kezimac]

depends how far you want to go, the dishing wouldnt bother me if limb landed straight alot of warmbloods that compete high up dish, canter is poor poss because of age - how young is she?? may need to muscle more, mature and be able to carry herself better as she grows/matures
I think if you really like her get some video and pics and show your vet first - i did this - he didnt charge me a penny took a look at video at a horse i was looking at that was pigeon toed - he watched it move on video and advised me if was him he wouldnt buy - it was my choice then - and i didnt buy her.
Or do you have instructor who come see her or see video - i did this with a couple of horses i saw - she came with me or i emailed video for her opinion -

narrow chest wont help, over at knee not too bad, hocks- depends how bad.

think with head not heart

 

[lauraandjack]

I am going to be the devil's advocate! Sometimes horses with the most shocking conformation never seem to have problems!

I used to know a great old "heinz 57" who had just about every conformational fault going, looked like a camel and had a 4 beat canter most of the time - and he was never lame in his 33 years!

But are you sure she is the right type of horse for what you want? She certainly doesn't sound like your typical dressage type. But sometimes it can be even more satisfying to achieve something against the odds - look at Mr President!

 

[bronchobarb2]

The oddest couples can make it through although I must admit I generally agree with the others. A limited budget can also provoke rose tinted glasses. Having said that you seem to have found an appreciation for her. I would go back with an instructor or bunch of horsey friends and get honest opinions. Good luck.