Please would you be kind enough to critique this for me? *Pics*

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piaffe

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I know some of the faults myself but just wanted to know what you think, conformation wise.

I ask because she is entered for a county show next month and Im now worried that she will be the weakest there.
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I entered, purely to get her out and about but after thinking about it, I think I have made a mistake and should just stick to the smaller shows.

She has been bought for dressage and was 3 in June.

You can be as honest as you like; Im a big girl.

Here are a few photos.
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Taken back in April. Her feet don't actually look like that in RL
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ETS I would just like to say that I haven't posted this for lots of "she is lovely" comments just to make me feel better!
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I am just hoping for some pointers and an insight into what the judge may see to help me decide to take her not. If that makes sense!
 
I don't think you need to worry she has pretty good confo, I'd like to see a little more length in the neck but then i'm not into dressage! She has a good shoulder, a nice strong back and good length of hip. Maybe just a little tied in below the knee. TBH Your'e not going to come last in your sportshorse class, I'll be in it with my gangly bum high yearling. I think if you go to enjoy yourself, and for the youngsters to have competition experiance who gives a fig where you come. Winning is just a bonus to a nice day out!
 
I think you should take her - I have seen far far worse in the showring this year! What classes is she entered in? The only reason I ask is that she looks from that last picture to be quite small (might just be camera angle) and in hunter classes, a lot of the 3yo are getting on for 17hh.

She isn't a bad stamp of horse, there are the odd niggly bits, but nothing that should make you feel she isn't good enough for the showring. If I had to pick them out, I would say she is a little long in the pastern, and weak in the hindleg. There is also something about her shoulder in that last pic that doesn't look quite right, but I think its actually the way she is stood slightly on an angle to the camera.
 
thanks, That was helpful.

I don't know about not coming last! Thats what we did at G and S on wed!!!!
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She was pulled in 1st. Judge was looking at her and she reared straight up; he moved PDQ.
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We came 4th out of 4!!!!
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Thanks for that. Im not sure what you mean about her shoulder, I can't see it (but then if I was any good at confo I wouldn't have posted lol). I cant find any other side of photos of her.

She is doing pot sports horse and hunter. She is approx 16.1hh
 
She looks a little flat & long across the loin / croup area. Mares often do have a bit of extra length through that area to accommodate the uterus etc.
I'd be highly surprised if she was the weakest in the class though. Her limbs look clean & well proportioned. she has a lovely head, & neck with a well defined jowel, creating a very elegant picture.
 
For 3, she looks very good i think. Im sure she will do well. I think her conformation looks good and she looks like she has nice movement (although hard to tell from a photoo) Good luck!
 
If that is a ewe neck then I'm a monkey's uncle!
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She may be lacking a little in topline, but that is surely to be expected of such a young horse - it will come in time! There is no build up of muscle whatsoever underneath her neck - she has not got that classic upside down look at all
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Thanks, I agree about her bum. I think she looks so weak behind and just falls away. Not sure if I can do much about that; maybe it will build up with work in time, I have no idea.
 
She certainly doesn't look ewe necked to me either. In the last photo she appears a tiny bit tied in below the knee, but I think thats more of an illusion created by the camera angle & maybe a slightly exagerated pesiform bone.
 
she does not have an ewe neck!! she looks nicely porportioned and well developed
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and her limbs look strong as well, which is always a good factor:D good luck in your show!

this is a ewe neck:
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She looks lovely and there is nothing wrong with her neck!

Flat bone, nice length of forearm, you can see that she's got some good quarters on her, just need building up (which of course will come with age/work) a neat head, I'd like to see a bigger eye (so the use of baby oil or dark horse makup can help to make them look larger) she's in lovely condition, I'd probably bob a few more plaits just to lengthen the neck a little (not that there is anything wrong though) and cut her tail shorter as it looks little long in the pictures and plait a little further down her dock, or pull the top of her tail. I also think brown in hand bridle (take it because she's 3 and under she has to wear an inhand?) as I think the black (if it is black, sorry if I'm wrong) distracts you slightly from her head...buts of course its all personal choice.

Basically she is gorgeous, I dont think you have anything to worry about, I'd be proud of her anyday!
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when I saw the first photo I thought that her bum looked a bit weak. If in real life its like it is in the second photo then.........take her and be proud of her.
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. Lovely looking youngster. Mairi.
 
Thanks so much for all of that.

I had forgotten about the baby oil trick *writes mental shopping list*
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I was wondering about the plaits. I thought about doing a few more for that very reason but wasn't sure if you could do that for showing? doesn't it have to be a particular number?

I'll try to remember to plait the tail longer too.

Yes, the bridle is black, not sure why I bought a black one, its what Im used to I guess but I think you may be right.
 
shes lovely, and if were me would deffo take her, shes a really nice stamp of horse, and i would be gobsmacked if she did come last (as long as she doesnt show the judge how tall she is on two legs) I can not see anything wrong with her shoulder, it looks nice, defined and sloping. Im not an expert on ewe necks but would say that it doesnt look the case with this mare!
 
<font color="blue">It looks like a possible ewe neck </font>

WTF?

Not fat enough? But then I hate, hate, hate topline through overfeeding and prefer a fit, athletic horse 100%.

My honest opinion?

Stunning!


(Send me the cheque now?)
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Well it depends on if its the same as from when you took the photos so dont go getting scissor happy!

I think just to perfect her already beautiful self, perhaps thin her tail slightly and take of a couple of inch, use a pair of clippers on the end to get that neat straight line across the bottom, do check her tail carriage, by putting either your arm under her dock to see before you cut it, again short tails look terrible also
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best just taking a little bit, then taking a photo or standing back, just that little bit can make call the difference.
 
[ QUOTE ]
She certainly doesn't look ewe necked to me either. In the last photo she appears a tiny bit tied in below the knee, but I think thats more of an illusion created by the camera angle &amp; maybe a slightly exagerated pesiform bone.

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Agree. Not ewe necked, and a lovely horse. Good luck
 
Tail - I was always taught to put arm under dock to hold it out and then cut level with hock, then it is a couple of inches lower than hock height at rest - don't know if this has changed.

Eyes - yes I would blacken them a little to make them pop out more.

Neck - not ewe, yes a little short but there is naff all you can do about that.

Condition - superb.

Plaiting, more plaits and have a play with different types to see what works best.

I really think she is a changed horse already from the one you bought - a credit to you - looking forward to seeing you in the 4yo classes next year
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Re the number of plaits, traditionally it's 7 or 9 plaits, but you could get away with 11 (they're generally not strict with the amount of plaits)
 
Thanks. Yeh I know her neck is short which is why i thought more plaits may help.

Never knew that a longer tail can make a horse look like it has a weak back end. Better sort that quick then as she does have one!!!!!
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