How do these yearlings sound? Any input pleeeease

dressagelove

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So I have seen two yearlings that I really like. Could I maybe get some input on what people may think of how they sound? Pleeeease? I am finding this SO hard as a novice!!

First one: From Holden Fold Stud in Darwen. 1yo KWPN out of Oliver HFD (who has a Voltaire father). Dam is Ironique (whose Sire is Ulster).

Second one: From Gamblethorpe Hanoverians. A 1yo Hanoverian out of Don Crusador, and Dam is Rosanante (Sire for is Rascalino).
This second one is a lovely looking horse, but slightly finer, and I was concerned as when walking to and from the arena he held his tail to the side...not sure whether this was a habit, a one off, or something to be worried about. He didn't appear to do it when trotting and cantering around the arena however...

Any experience of either of these studs, and these stallions? Any input would be so greatly received.
 
Do you have any photos of the youngsters?
Did you see the dams, older siblings or the sires?
Did you see any conformation faults?
Did they have nice temperaments?

Just to let you know, the foal is BY the stallion and OUT of the mare (as in it comes out of her when she gives birth to it). It always makes me chuckle when people say out of X stallion. ;) :p
 
Haha, thank you, I am well aware I am not down with the lingo! Have never bought anything younger than 5, so this is all very new!

They both seemed very sweet and sane yes.

The holden fold one, I saw mum, dad and full brother, as they were bred there...

The Gamblethorpe Hanoverians were imported in, so no mum or dad or siblings to be seen.

This is a vid of the Gamblethorpe youngster,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBmoEVV56-w&feature=youtu.be
and pic, if it works: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...0380515.107904.100000636277079&type=3&theater

Don't have a pic or vid of the holden fold youngster though :(
 
Oh and the only major conformational fault I spotted was the tail held to the side, as mentioned in my OP, does that seem something to be concerned about?
 
the video was a bit jumpy on my computer but I liked the look of Debonair a lot I like the Don lines though.
 
is it my eyes or is that screen leaping about? if so why would someone advertise on a video like that lol...I didn't see anything to worry me about his tail though - dont forget bubbas have very short tails too.
 
Watching the video was quite hard work! I liked him from it though. Did you like him?

I wouldn't worry too much about the tail if the youngster only did it some of the time and actually had a full range of movement ie the tail wasn't paralysed.

One thing that I will say, is that my grey has exactly the same temperament now at four. In fact in many ways she hasn't changed from when I first met her as a weanling. So it is important that you like the youngster that you buy. If you find two with good confo, breeding etc... get the one that you click with.
 
I did like him, yes, I was just concerned about the tail thing.

There are pros and cons to both horses, but I am terrified of making the wrong decision! I would like someone more experienced to look at them, but I literally don't have anyone to take with. I fell out with my last instructor, and I stable alone :(

Its a scary decision. Could I ask if anyone has an idea what kind of money Debonair would be going for, then I might know whether I am aiming at the right offer or not?
 
I will have to go against the grain and say I didn't like him so very much. It depends what level of dressage you want him for really. To do young horse classes, upper level horse, nice RC/up to medium level. Babies do go through very akward stages but he just didn't WOW me. Cons - I wasn't so impressed with his paces. He just didn't flow, track up at trot or extend as much as I would like. He seemed pretty short striding in trot and canter and there was no video of his walk which is a very important pace. No shot of him stood up but I wonder if he has a strightish shoulder. Pros - he looks like he has a nice kind eye :) You say he is a nice horse and you like him and that is vitally important.

Maybe for the price he is being sold for he is a very good prospect. I think as always that is a determining factor as you do get what you pay for although now is a good time to get a quality horse cheaply, particularly with winter coming. For me I would not pay more than £2000 - £2500. I suspect he is on for a lot more though. There are some cracking foals about at the £5000 mark I have seen online (I will probably never afford a horse again but love horse shopping!).

Why don't you contact some of the big studs and ask for a DVD. Many produce DVD's of their youngsters for sale or have videos avaliable on their websites. Then you can make a comparison in terms of price and quality avaliable. 2 youngsters is not a lot to look at though sometimes you just fall in love with the first you see :) Good luck with your horse shopping.
 
I personally liked meeting both the Sire and Dam when I chose my grey. She was my first youngster and like you, I wanted to get it right. I really tries to assess the conformation, movement and temperament of all three. It was also obvious that my grey was very trainable and actually tried really hard to please. I would think that this would be very important in a dressage horse.

When I got my gelding, I only had the opportunity to meet his Dam. I really wish that I had met his sire too (I would still have got him) as I think that his hotness and size comes from his sire.

I would also suggest that you get a 2* Vetting.

I can't help you with prices for dressage youngstock I'm afraid.
 
I think its just tension that is causing the one in the video to take short strides. He's not showing himself off particularly well - I suspect he moves a bit differently when relaxed and not being chased up and down an indoor school. If they are asking you the price that appears on their website for him then I think he is a reasonable buy. Hollycat made a good point about the walk though - you need to see it. Its a whole lot easier if the horse has a good natural walk.
 
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