Looking for advice on conformation.

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Amber905

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I have included three horses that I am considering on going to look at. I am trying to learn how to look at confirmation, but it takes practice. I am looking for a jumper, basic low level dressage and the occasional hack.

1st 3 pictures are of a 7 y/o jumper who has been showing 1.0m priced @ $35,000 cad
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/Am...796_7045047628861538304_n.png.html?sort=3&o=5
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/Am...816_4326741030264111104_n.png.html?sort=3&o=0
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/Am...802_6071444088354242560_n.png.html?sort=3&o=7

2nd horse, a 2007 imported Holstein showing 1.20 in jumpers. She is pretty touchy in her face it seems from video. Priced @ $25,000 obo cad
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/Am...0217_177007516507439104_n.jpg.html?sort=3&o=9
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/Am...7_4296989495451975680_n_1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/Am...217_8944790824424570880_n.jpg.html?sort=3&o=6

3rd horse, more of a younger I think he is 6. Doesn't have as much training as the other two. Priced @ $25,000
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/Am...728_4137021930978934784_n.jpg.html?sort=3&o=8
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/Am...28_4109825695549489152_n.jpg.html?sort=3&o=10

Is there anything that stands out?
 
Horse 1: Weak all over, hard to see hind end properly due to tail but he looks straight through the leg.

x8vthMV.jpg


Horse 2: Upright shoulder, short neck, long in the back. Nice legs all round.

SiM7UIH.jpg


Horse 3: Nothing jumps out but he has upright pasterns, particularly behind.

W01prjq.jpg


All of these horses are very under-muscled.
 
1 and 2 have under muscled hind ends IMO. No 2's front feet look unbalanced. No 1's fronts look long. No 3 looks best though he's short in the back and may prove difficult to fit a saddle.

All of these would benefit from a lot more hacking before going jumping or dressaging.
 
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No.1 bargepole. Candidate for SI/hind leg/back issues by the look of it. 2 has mismatched front feet which would cause vetting issues. 3 looks quite light of bone for his build. And very weak behind. I actually like 2 best apart from those hooves and the longish back but it's hard to tell on a photo.

The prices - in dollars?
 
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If you want a horse to last a life time look elsewhere. If you want a horse to compete for a few years before scraping for a newer version then still look elsewhere.
 
Even though conformation is important, and you want to rule out the biggest nasties, some things wouldn't put me off if the horse moved well and had no prior lameness.

I had one horse for ten years with the worst conformation ever, it was honestly awful, and she never took a lame step. Granted we weren't doing 1:30s, but we did everything! She's over 33 years old now and still sound and in light work!
 
I know horse prices in the usa are ridiculously high in comparison to UK/Ireland - but are those average prices for those type of horses/with that little experience etc?
 
I'd really like to thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it. My eye is not quite keen in these types of things yet. Back to the search. Looking for more of a lifetime fella who isn't going to break down :)
 
I am in Canada. Horses are either priced low or high here. Everyone who competes doesn't take the time to build them up. Compete and sell. That is the avg. Price for a horse that's had a bit of jumping experience.
 
Conformation isn't everything though. I have two eventers that are probably the wonkiest conformed things ever, I would (and have) got laughed out of a working hunter ring - but both are hardy and do their jobs for years. I'd go for heart, brains and ability to do the job I want over conformation anyday.

I have complete sympathy for any countries where horses like that cost that much money! that is insane. they would be about 2,000 euro in these parts, but different areas command different prices.
 
For the job you want it to do if I was in your boat I'd gow ith someone with a good eye and get a cheap exracer off the track and put the money into training it. What height jumping are you aiming for?
 
I already have a prospect, so I am looking for something thats been there done that. I'd like this horse to take me up to the meters at least.
 
If you have that sort of budget available would it not make sense to source a reputable agent in Europe and ship one over?
 
Honestly shocked a those prices! Though its hard to tell much off a photo, none of them look like they are in much work and are all terribly under muscled. Personally I wouldn't pay more than $2000 for any of them (actually I wouldn't even pay that for the first)
 
Of those I like no 2 the best. The prices over the water are eye watering, and I thought the uk was expensive! Bunnydog over on the competition and training Thread has a really interesting thread on her search for an established sj horse from the uk which she imported. Suspect even with all the added costs you’d get a better buy for your money if you are prepared to do it. Good luck with the search, be fab to hear how you get on!
 
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