Thoughts on this horse

milesjess

milesjess

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What are your thoughts on this horse please? Conformation?

She's a 6 year old, Warmblood mare, 16.2hh, has a foal. She does have a capped hock on her back, left leg.

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The second photo of her does seem to be give her rather strange conformation but I'm not sure how much of that is her and how much is the angle of the photo. Do you have any of her standing square, preferrably on a concrete surface?
 
Very pretty face!

Her shoulder looks rather upright (could just be the angle of the pics) so I'd be interested to see how she moves. Upright shoulders can produce rather stilted, uncomfortable paces. She also seems to lack muscle on her topline and quarters - if this is because she has had a foal and been out of work then I wouldn't be worried, if she is in work I'd be a bit concerned that she has been worked incorrectly.

I'm also not sure about her hind limb conformation, though again I can't really see from these pictures. Stand her on a level surface and look at her from behind - does she look wide behind?

I am trying to pick out things to comment on, but really so much depends on temperament, movement, what you want to do with her etc.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'll try to upload a photo later.

I intend to school generally, local shows, possibly hacking...

What do you think of her generally and condition wise considering she has a foal?
 
milesjess said:
Thanks for the replies. I'll try to upload a photo later.

I intend to school generally, local shows, possibly hacking...

What do you think of her generally and condition wise considering she has a foal?
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How old is the foal exactly?, from the photos she typically looks like a mare that has had a foal but depending on when she foaled, her condition will obviously atler in time, as she won't be looking her best when she's had a foal on her for some time and depending on the grazing and what she's been fed, you'd be better off looking at some photos before she was put in foal to see exactly how she's built etc.
 
Sorry for the delay in replying.

Her foal is 5 months now I think. Just added a few more pics, unfortunately I don't really have any of her on pavement only in the field. Hopefully these are a bit better.

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Condition wise she looks fine considering her foal is 5 months. I wouldn't worry there.

Obviously once she's back in work her whole shape, topline and neck would change.

Can clearly see the capped hock in one of the pics - a capped hock could be something or nothing. If you are looking to buy her, I would ask as much as possibly about the history of the capped hock - when/how did it happen, what treatment was given, has it caused any unsoundnes etc. etc. and it would also be worth getting the vet's opinion on that too.

Confirmation wise, still hard to tell without a straight, level, side on photo - but she's possibly a little upright in the shoulder. Shouldn't be a major issue though if as you say all you want to do is schooling, local shows and hacking.

You say she's a warmblood, but her face looks as is she could have a little Arab blood in her somewhere.
 
If you are thinking of buying her I would try and find out why she was put in foal - just in case it was due to some injury or unsoundness which will flare up again once back in regular work.
 
She looks a nice enough type for what you intend to do with her although the capped hock will mark you down badly in showing classes.
Please remember that she will need some 'me' time once she has been weaned to enable her to dry off naturally and get back into condition without doing any work at all. Then she will need to be brought back into work very slowly as her muscles have been so under used lately; you are talking of about four months before she will be fit to do anything strenuous IME. It might sound a long time but she'll need every minute of it if you want a sound horse for years to come.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Really good advice, highlighted points I didn't notice and regarding care for her after weaning. I did notice in one of the pics that she had a Arab type face but didn't think too much of it... Will check her documents etc to make sure.

What should I expect once she's been weaned? Is she likely to be temperamental?

Cheers :)
 
Maesfen said:
She looks a nice enough type for what you intend to do with her although the capped hock will mark you down badly in showing classes.
Please remember that she will need some 'me' time once she has been weaned to enable her to dry off naturally and get back into condition without doing any work at all. Then she will need to be brought back into work very slowly as her muscles have been so under used lately; you are talking of about four months before she will be fit to do anything strenuous IME. It might sound a long time but she'll need every minute of it if you want a sound horse for years to come.
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Spot on advice, thank you for that!
 
No worries, just very glad you understand the importance of taking her slowly.
As to temperament changes after weaning well some mares do, some mares don't. I think it's very important that they have company while they're drying off and being allowed to chill out again after weaning before they start work as it's a stressful time for them however it is done. After all, they've had their foal there with them 24/7 since it was born, it's bound to be a big change to their routine to be without it so the least we can do is make it as comfortable as we can for them.
 
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