The brutally honest confo thread!

Auslander

Auslander

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I've been reading the recent rash of confo threads, and all the very interesting comments from very experienced people. It got me all inspired to start a thread where only the brave put photos up, so that the clever folks on here can comment honestly, without fear of offending. It's such a great way for less experienced forumites to learn about how a horse should be put together.

I'm fully aware of Alf's strengths and weaknesses, and I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist if he gets savaged, so, go ahead...what's good and bad about this old man, and what do you think his job in life should be, based on his type/conformation (I know pretty much everyone knows what his actual job was, but try not to let that get in the way of looking at what's in front of you)
Happy to have weight comments too - as that's another area people often struggle to know what is ideal

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Ignore the front end doing carrot stretches - the hind legs are a bit more normal here
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Can we hold fire on posting pics for a bit, until people have looked at the ones that are already up? That way, it won't jst turn into a thread full of pictures, with very little feedback!
 
Auslander said:
That's what I'm hoping!
Come on then - you're one of the confo queens!
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Later, just off to sort the rabble out. Alice has to have her legs shaved in readiness for her appointment with one of the most respected show horse producers. I need clarification of my thoughts that she is sadly a pit pony and not the next champion lightweight cob.
 
Auslander, my first thought was he is very short coupled (which I like and find easier to ride) however can imagine difficult to fit a saddle to that will also fit the rider as very short in the back. Also quite upright in the shoulder. I can imagine him being quite choppy in his trot but also quite comfortable esp in canter, may be wrong but that's what I see at a glance :)
 
I'm more than happy to join in this one, and again not precious!

This is a horse I'm currently debating buying as a summer project with a view to sell. I'm sending in a good vet for a second opinion on limbs. The horse has more quality about him in the flesh.


This is a rising 4yo just off the boat from Ireland - purchased for eventing and currently rising 6 with a strong record, stepping up to novice/1* this year



This is from a while ago, a 5yo whose intended job was eventing. He broke down at a young

This is a very well bred for eventing horse at 20 years, who broke down as a 6yo and then was on/off until 12 when he was retired (sorry don't have a good confo shot)


I'm also failing to find a decent confo shot of my mare. She is fully graded and competed 6-7 years of BD with around 250 points. We managed coffin joints but has recently broken down on her achillies tendon whilst not in any real work and has baffled vets!


And this is her foal, bred for duel purpose event/dressage, and also looks like it might be a good downhill ski-er!
 
Farma said:
Auslander, my first thought was he is very short coupled (which I like and find easier to ride) however can imagine difficult to fit a saddle to that will also fit the rider as very short in the back. Also quite upright in the shoulder. I can imagine him being quite choppy in his trot but also quite comfortable esp in canter, may be wrong but that's what I see at a glance :)
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Well spotted - he is very short in the back, and he's a big, weight carrying sort, so saddle fit is an issue. His walk and canter are excellent, but his trot is uncomfortable - the combination of powerful back end, and up and down front end makes him feel like a pogo stick!
 
Auslander, he looks VERY like a couple of HW hunters my husband rode - before he gave up hunting. Both had come over from Ireland with no papers - but almost certainly quite a bit of Irish Draughts - as I would guess your chap has. Yes, fitting a saddle would take a bit of work. He has a fantastic back-end, hocks slightly straight - but not enough to be an issue. Do you know anything of his breeding?
 
Auslanders is short in back & neck. For me he is a little top heavy. Photo makes him look stood too far under in his hind limb (same for the chestnut next one down), although unless they are really well stood up can be tricky to tell.

Girlracer bay to type for me is long in the Pastern & cannon in front. Can't tell from photo behind. I like his neck set.
 
Girlracer, your horse while is clearly very well kept and in good nick, lacks some topline imo and muscle and my first thought when I look at him is that he is the type that is difficult to keep looking well, I can imagine if he drops weight he could look quite poor around the 1/4s. He has long pasterns, upright hocks but may just be the picture?
He is very high in the wither and short in the back, so again, specific saddle fitting needed! The heels look a little low but again may just be the picture?
I also cant help but notice the big ears and a kind eye :)
 
JanetGeorge said:
Auslander, he looks VERY like a couple of HW hunters my husband rode - before he gave up hunting. Both had come over from Ireland with no papers - but almost certainly quite a bit of Irish Draughts - as I would guess your chap has. Yes, fitting a saddle would take a bit of work. He has a fantastic back-end, hocks slightly straight - but not enough to be an issue. Do you know anything of his breeding?
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He was imported from Ireland as a 4yr old, with no recorded breeding - but is believed to be Clydesdale/TB. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some ID in there somewhere! I look at him and think show hunter, although not sure he has enough bone to be a heavyweight - the fluffy bloomers are deceiving! He's actually a dressage horse (retd) competed at Inter 1, and trained to GP. Freak of nature!

ihatework said:
Auslanders is short in back & neck. For me he is a little top heavy. Photo makes him look stood too far under in his hind limb (same for the chestnut next one down), although unless they are really well stood up can be tricky to tell.
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He is top heavy - he's got a big horse body on relatively short legs! He can stand up better, but has had major hindlimb problems, so tends to stand a bit camped under.
 
Auslander said:
.

I'm fully aware of Alf's strengths and weaknesses, and I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist if he gets savaged, so, go ahead...what's good and bad about this old man, and what do you think his job in life should be, based on his type/conformation
Happy to have weight comments too - as that's another area people often struggle to know what is ideal

17362362_10155562091130730_8111633430575021044_n.jpg

I have a major preference for short-coupled horses so really like him. Although for me he is a tad upright in the shoulder I also really like his front leg and powerful bum. I suspect he has a lot of movement at trot!
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OK, go on then, I'll give some opinion....
Aus - he's short backed and upright in the shoulder but his front leg conformation is good and his back end looks powerful and neck set is good. If I had to pick a job for him it would probably be hunting
Girl racer - long pasterns, and also not fond of the angle of them, a little herring gutted and dippy along the back, but a decent neck set. Probably most useful for jumping.
Ihatework - really like the first chestnut, lovely head and neck, good back, everything in proportion and front legs look good, but can't tell much about the back legs, probably make a good sound riding club type. First grey is good too, very much a lean eventer type and probably wouldn't have the roundness of frame and musculature to do high level dressage, but has a nice slope to the shoulder and powerful looking back end with lots of lean muscle that's easy to keep fit. Don't like the second grey, he's too long in the pastern, he is lacking in second thigh at the back for support and overall his legs just don't look like they belong to his body. Can't tell much from the other photos...

That's as far as I've got :D
 
Out of interest, and sorry to jump on your post OP, if anyone would be happy to message me I would be interested in your thoughts on my horse. Many thanks :)
 
I don't know how to do multiquotes, so will have to reply one by one.... girlracer, as someone struggling with a lanky sports horse riddled with ulcers I suspect your horse is equally as difficult to put condition on. I am also not good at taking conformation shots and wonder whether you aren't quite square on so the front end looks out of proportion with the back end - the dark colouring behind his throat is also a bit unfortunate as it makes him look a bit ewe necked. I also think he is very long in the pastern. I do like his shoulder though and his back end
 
ihatework said:
I'm more than happy to join in this one, and again not precious!

This is a horse I'm currently debating buying as a summer project with a view to sell. I'm sending in a good vet for a second opinion on limbs. The horse has more quality about him in the flesh.


This is a rising 4yo just off the boat from Ireland - purchased for eventing and currently rising 6 with a strong record, stepping up to novice/1* this year



This is from a while ago, a 5yo whose intended job was eventing. He broke down at a young

This is a very well bred for eventing horse at 20 years, who broke down as a 6yo and then was on/off until 12 when he was retired (sorry don't have a good confo shot)


I'm also failing to find a decent confo shot of my mare. She is fully graded and competed 6-7 years of BD with around 250 points. We managed coffin joints but has recently broken down on her achillies tendon whilst not in any real work and has baffled vets!


And this is her foal, bred for duel purpose event/dressage, and also looks like it might be a good downhill ski-er!
Click to expand...
I definitely don't know enough about foals to comment on how he will end up, but I have major foal envy!
 
DabDab said:
Aus - he's short backed and upright in the shoulder but his front leg conformation is good and his back end looks powerful and neck set is good. If I had to pick a job for him it would probably be hunting
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I agree - if I was asked to guess his job, I'd say hunter. Not the case though (he'd be an awful hunter!) The dear boy is very special. Despite not looking the part, he has felt the tickle of a tailcoat on many occasions!
 
I cannot see any Clyde in Alf, I can see ID x TB and I see middle weight not heavy. He is nicely put together and a type rarely seen now. His stance shows his hock stiffness but if he did stand nicely he would be a very nice type. PS Auslander, cut his flipping tail !
 
Batgirl said:
Good idea, I'm not precious either! Dressage and Hacking are our main activites :)



Fat to thin (6 months after buying)

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This chestnut gelding is very long in the back and stands over too much ground, his pasterns look long. He has lovely depth though and there is nothing there to hinder him being a very useful horse.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I cannot see any Clyde in Alf, I can see ID x TB and I see middle weight not heavy. He is nicely put together and a type rarely seen now. His stance shows his hock stiffness but if he did stand nicely he would be a very nice type. PS Auslander, cut his flipping tail !
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Ha Ha! He's on the makeover list for this week! I'm more concerned about the damn mane, which is the bane of my life!
 
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