How important are looks to you when buying a horse?

Oh - I thought he looked REALLY ugly when he was younger (although cobs nearly always do as they take so long to grow into their heads!)

He was the sort you would have bought and hidden in a field for 2 years before you could let anyone see him.
 
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He was the sort you would have bought and hidden in a field for 2 years before you could let anyone see him.

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Oh man!! I'm pleased to read I am not alone in having that "hidden away" field at the back of my farm. None of my new, pathetic-looking horses are shown to visitors here.
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When I first looked at Corroy I thought how common she looked
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big ears and quite chunky I thought
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But I had a beautiful TB before her, but sadly she was a tad crazy, but perfect conformation. Unfortunately this is the best pic I have of her to hand

Corroy

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Josie

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Not important to me really, but then I do not think I have ever called a horse ugly- all are beautiful to me.

I confess I am a sucker for a sad face/story though. My OH often has to drag me away from the sorry looking ponies at the auction.

Actually make that all of the horses (hence why I've not been for months).
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I see so many people with stunning horses that cant ride one side of them!
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That would be me
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...the Share Mare is quite gorgeous, but I feel like i am learning to ride all over again on her. I need to get a good picture of her.
 
When I bought my mare I was under the impression she was a coloured by the way the ad was written an was surprised to see a cremello standing there when we got to her. As soon as I sat on her I knew she was the one I wanted. She hadn't been groomed in months, shabby mane to her shoulders and no muscle. She is now cleaned up, bulked up and looks amazing!! Wouldn't swap her for the world (although a horse that travels well (read my post) and catches well would help!!! lol).
 
I bought this lad who was in a real state but I could see he was a nice lad. He's now owned by another forum member so I hope she doesn't mind me posting pics!

Before:
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After:
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He was the sort you would have bought and hidden in a field for 2 years before you could let anyone see him.

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh man!! I'm pleased to read I am not alone in having that "hidden away" field at the back of my farm. None of my new, pathetic-looking horses are shown to visitors here.
crazy.gif


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All the baby cobs spend their early years being hidden in the field next to the M4. This is for two reasons. Firstly because they are generally not that attractive, and secondly, it is harder for my sisters OH to tell who they are if they are a fair distance away. At one point she had 3 almost identical dark brown/black cobs and 3 light bay ones and he was told there were only two cobs in total - one black and one bay ....
 
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I see so many people with stunning horses that cant ride one side of them!
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That would be me
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...the Share Mare is quite gorgeous, but I feel like i am learning to ride all over again on her. I need to get a good picture of her.

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dont put youself down! come and ride mine, if OH can do anything with them, and he cant even hold his bloody reins properly, then there is no way anyone cannot ride them!
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Why you should have a good looking horse:
1) They are easier to sell - even if you are putting them through the sales because they have tried to kill you.
2) They costs the same as an ugly one
3) If it is totally useless at least you can show it
4) Good conformation is called it for a reason
5) Even if it has done the worst dressage test in history at least the judge will say you have a nice horse.
6) Good looking horses get better dressage marks.
 
I don't think looks are that important i've had stunning and cutely ugly horses and found them all endearing!! however I have to say well done to you lot - some of the changes in the before and after pics are amazing!!
 
I think it's fair to say that I don't buy horses on their looks but I enjoy my horses and feel safe and happy with them. I bought for suitability to my riding level above all else. No point having a stunner that you daren't ride.
 
People seem to have differing definitions of "looks" on this thread...

I don't think condition is the same thing, and I wouldn't let lack of condition put me off a horse.

However I would not buy anything that wasn't attractive in the sense of conformation and it's face. I wouldn't buy an ugly horse - sorry, call me shallow, but I wouldn't. That's not to say I don't value what it's like to ride, and I don't buy a horse BECAUSE of what it looks like - but I wouldn't buy one that wasn't pleasing on the eye.
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I wouldn't buy a horse BECAUSE it's stunning, but I don't think I'd buy one that I thought was ugly.

My first horse, Willow, I personally don't think is a stunner, I think she's beautiful when she's got her summer coat and she holds her head in a certain way, but unfortunatly the rest of the time she bears a rather strong resemblence to a llama!
As a llama
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Looking (my opinion) beautiful
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But when I bought Lacey..As soon as I laid eyes on her I knew she'd come home not because of her looks but we just clicked straight away. I still have to say, to this day I do believe she is one of the most gorgeous horses I've ever seen.(with movement, presence, temperment, talent and naughtiness to boot!)
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(and may I add, she's actually a bay ROAN, not just a bay, and roans are my fav
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Agree just because they are in poor condition does not mean they are ugly. You can still tell if it has good conformation. Ugly is ugly.
 
Haven't read all the posts; But TBH I like a horse with very good to excellent conformation. It would be important to me as I like to show. I also have a preference (rightly or wrongly) for a smart horse.
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