How important is conformation to you?

I*HM said:
I suppose for me (and perhaps I'm wrong) but when I say high set tail, I don't mean to refer to just a high tail carriage. I perhaps have just failed to articulate that what I'm trying to get at is a high tail as a result of a flat croup. But I would have little proper knowledge of the like of the arab breeding standards and I'm purely coming from a sport horse (/sports horse type) point of view, in which case a flat croup and high tail would, to me at least, indicate weakness, lack of power in the hind quarters and pose problems for the horse to easily engage, and make full use of himself. But as ever, it's just my opinion (:
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I think people often think of the set of the tail rather than the weak, sometimes too short and flat croup it can be set on, I like to see a tail that is high but it needs to be on a well made back end. Arabs have a high set tail but they should still have a powerful hindquarter, sometimes the less quality arabs are weak in this area and the tail emphasises that weakness.
 
http://www.lanarynarabians.com/Impresario.html

High set tail, as well as high tail carriage and a flatter croup than you would see in many other breeds - but I don't think that lack of power is a problem for him. ;) Enjoy the slo-mo and very over dramatic video! :D

I know arabs divide opinion, especially the halter types such as this - you can get far less extreme types too.

I'm now starting to wonder about 'faults' in some breeds that are desirable in others. Is it really a conformation fault if it doesn't affect soundness, or is it just undesirable because it's against breed standard? Or certain conformation suits particular disciplines, Eg uphill is good for dressage and downhill is good for galloping fast, so desirable for a racehorse. Some things though are surely universal? EG back at the knee is a fault in a shetland, a TB, a welsh cob... etc... but possibly forgiven if the horse is good at it's job (again maybe not for a show horse).
 
Tats has a high set tail it's usual in his type he's an ASB .
He has more ability to sit than any other horse I have owned and is extremely powerful it does not seem to hold him back it's the bit between his ears that his issue.
 
Faracat I know what you mean! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Akhal Tekes, but I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, and some of their typical traits would be considered flaws in other breeds.
 
LOL. I've often wondered with one of mine if a brain transplant would fix all her problems!


ETA - Pigeon, I love AT's too and you are right, they are a perfect example. :)
 
Straight movement is more important to me than overall conformation - just as well as my lad is over at the knee, slightly herring gutted and his head is a bit big in my opinion. However, he moves well and that counts for a lot.

So no, I wouldn't breed from him but I might clone him for double the fun!

He has a funny habit of standing with one of his back legs twisted at nearly 90 degrees (toe in) when he's eating hay in his box so if you ever see a post from a new poster with a picture of a deformed horse and a plea for advice, you'll know I've had my first go at tempting the billy goats over the bridge ;)
 
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To an extent I'd say temperament and talent over confirmation, but yesterday I saw a horse advertised on the BSJA page of Facebook, gorgeous head , lovely jump (that you could see from pictures) but it looked like a 'cut and shut' in the untacked stood square picture, the backend didn't match the front end at all.
 
Pigeon said:
Faracat I know what you mean! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Akhal Tekes, but I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, and some of their typical traits would be considered flaws in other breeds.
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I love them too I was luckily to get to know two when I lived abroad very very special horses designed for their environment and work.
 
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