Here we go again...for real this time...what do you think?

crazybootlady

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Well, after first deciding to look for horses, then getting home six months ago from overseas, and deciding not to get one and ride the one I have available (an EPM recoveree, whose owner and I clash over how to do things), then almost deciding to sell my horse trailer and get out completely, battling a bout of depression, blah blah blah, it's come to my attention that I can afford, and am more 'me' with a horse in my life. So with the support of the wonderful OH and my family, we are once again horse shopping. Looking for: a 2/5-3 year old that's NOT undersaddle yet (very hard to find here in the states). I've found a 3 year old grey gelding to look at this Wednesday. He's not been started yet, has only had some lunging and groundwork done. What do you lot think?

video here: (keep in mind this was six months ago, and his price is not the 10k as listed in the comments) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uFx1_l3KMU

and photo's here: (second one down "Iron Star Catcher") http://www.honeybearfarm.com/PaintHorsesForSale.htm

I don't like the look of his neck in the video, but it doesn't look quite so bad in the photo's which are more recent.
 
First, the lunge track looks very well worn, if he was on that track and caused the wear (the dark circle that forms the outline of where he has been lunging) I'd be slightly cautious, wondering how long and how hard they lunge him at this age. Some people on here don't agree with lunging at that age at all, I'm not averse to it, but I would want to know to what extent and how hard and for how long at each period they tend to lunge him.

Picture wise, left hand photo looks ok, right hand photo looks even poorer than on the lunge... They could have been taken at different times, but if they weren't I'd be very worried at the apparent difference.

Definatley vet, and double check paces, and how even he is.

He is a baby, his neck is bound to be weak at that age... I'd rather it look weak than overly muscled which would indicate too much work at too young an age in an outline.

Nice sort, not bad paces, but I'd approach with a bit of caution... To my mind a few queries I'd want answered first :)
 
Queenbee- The lunge track did look very worn, though my suspicion is that it was used for prior horses that day and possibly is a dedicated area to lunge....although you're right about lunging too young, unfortunately that happens all to much, with yearlings being shown in lungeline classes. I will be going in with several questions, although an open mind, and would NOT buy without a vets check.

Snorkey- Good broke horses that can compete at the level I'd like to get to are one, way out of my price range, and two, generally just that, 'broken'. At least with a baby I'd have some control over how far it is pushed and when, as well as not having to 'undo' someone else's mistakes.
 
Queenbee- The lunge track did look very worn, though my suspicion is that it was used for prior horses that day and possibly is a dedicated area to lunge....although you're right about lunging too young, unfortunately that happens all to much, with yearlings being shown in lungeline classes. I will be going in with several questions, although an open mind, and would NOT buy without a vets check.

Snorkey- Good broke horses that can compete at the level I'd like to get to are one, way out of my price range, and two, generally just that, 'broken'. At least with a baby I'd have some control over how far it is pushed and when, as well as not having to 'undo' someone else's mistakes.


Yes, clb... I think that is probably the case too, but always good to check... As long as the questions you have are addressed to your satisfaction and the vetting goes well... I think a lovely looking horse. In all honesty, I would be very shocked if those two photos were taken at the same time, as the difference is very dramatic. If in reality, the horse is that weak on one side and not on the other, then I would walk but I doubt it is as I suspect this would have shown up on the lunging video :)

Actually saying that have just had another look at the photos... The background foliage looks exactly the same in both photos so I would be careful... The horse looks much weaker and under muscled on the right hand picture, this would make me pretty cautious...
 
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Yes, clb... I think that is probably the case too, but always good to check... As long as the questions you have are addressed to your satisfaction and the vetting goes well... I think a lovely looking horse. In all honesty, I would be very shocked if those two photos were taken at the same time, as the difference is very dramatic. If in reality, the horse is that weak on one side and not on the other, then I would walk but I doubt it is as I suspect this would have shown up on the lunging video :)

Actually saying that have just had another look at the photos... The background foliage looks exactly the same in both photos so I would be careful... The horse looks much weaker and under muscled on the right hand picture, this would make me pretty cautious...


Thanks for keeping me honest, I hadn't noticed, or had chosen not to notice the dramatic difference from left to right, I have made note of that and will definitely be aware of that when viewing.
 
I'm not an expert on conformation and I don't know whether it's because he has high withers or a weak neck but his neck doesn't look set on right to me, especially in the video and the right hand side picture.
 
what do you want to do with a horse long term?

i agree his neck looks weak but i think his hind end does too, i do lunge youngsters but agree be cautious as it may have been over done. does he have a chain across his nose when lunging? that may indicate thats what they do with every horse they lunge but it may also mean he just bu**ers of in a straight line.

for something whos full brother is 15hh he is all legs and not a lot of body
 
what do you want to do with a horse long term?

i agree his neck looks weak but i think his hind end does too, i do lunge youngsters but agree be cautious as it may have been over done. does he have a chain across his nose when lunging? that may indicate thats what they do with every horse they lunge but it may also mean he just bu**ers of in a straight line.

for something whos full brother is 15hh he is all legs and not a lot of body

I'm looking for something to show flat classes and over fences eventually. Possibly to play around with basic dressage shows and maybe an event or two, nothing insanely huge.

I think his full brother is a 15X World Champion, not not 15hh. EDIT: I can't find any info on his brother's actual height, so he every well could be only 15 hands.
 
I like him. He has a lot of growing to do. If he was mine, I wouldn't consider even lightly backing him this year, he needs time. I think that he will be super when he's older.
 
I like the sound of the two year old filly down the page

Good job they arent in the UK or we would all be round there lol

OP - I hope he is everything you want him to be :)
 
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