Too fine?

Well, mine is basically just a bunch of legs at the moment...

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But he's 2. He was looking a bit thicc and then by the next week I was wondering who put their Thoroughbred colt out in the field? Oh, right, that's my PRE. Who is now 15.2hh. Right. I think he's going to be more of a "sport edition" in comparison to my last one who was about 15.3 but a bit thicker than Hermosa. However, he gained a lot of substance between when I got him as a rising 5 year old and age 7 or 8. I don't think he was fully done developing until then. Granted, they won't grow "more bone" per say. Current 2 year olds siblings and parents do have quite a bit of substance though, so I expect he will fill out quite a bit too, but dad isn't too extreme.

Fortunately, you're still the right size for Hermosa, and she may prove to be incredibly hardy. They don't need to be built like a brick outhouse to be durable/hardy.
 
Bean is very similar looking. Ronaldo looks like he is going to be huge. Caso is around the same age, and his owner tells me he is about 14hh right now.

I hope she proves hardy. Don't think she will ever be a weight carrier, though, but I don't need that. I guess your average Scottish horse owner isn't used to seeing that type of horse. I get a lot of comments on her dainty little legs and feet.
 
Caol Ila said:
People at the yard comment on how fine she is. I guess no one is used to seeing that kind of horse!
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Well done for worrying about your horse! Riding horses raises big ethical questions, and we should all be worrying whether we are the right weight, have the right saddle, in the right environment/set up etc. It's the ones who DON'T worry that worry me. My horse is a similar build but different breeding and I (rightly) have similar concerns. He was fine legs and small feet with a wide, deep body above. I get similar comments. I do everything I can to keep the weight he has to carry down and also to keep a careful eye on his own weight. I also use hoof boots for turn out if the ground is very hard.
 
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You look fine to me and she will definitely fill out a bit as she is still young.

My Louis (Arab) has very fine legs but has a fairly substantial build both my Arab's do but he is finer in the leg than Arabi, alot of people comment on mine saying they look big built for Arab's there not really it's just what people get used to, so I wouldn't worry about what people say too much 🤣
 
Thanks guys.

People also comment that she is beautiful and kind. Those are nice comments.

They probably think I'm faffing about a lot, just hacking in mostly walk and not really schooling, but I am happy taking my time producing her with our long, slow miles. The culture at the barn is very traditional - bit them up and get them schooling WTC pretty quickly. I look like a weirdo, ambling around in my Western hackamore.
 
Caol Ila said:
Thanks guys.

People also comment that she is beautiful and kind. Those are nice comments.

They probably think I'm faffing about a lot, just hacking in mostly walk and not really schooling, but I am happy taking my time producing her with our long, slow miles. The culture at the barn is very traditional - bit them up and get them schooling WTC pretty quickly. I look like a weirdo, ambling around in my Western hackamore.
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Just a little note; "long, slow miles" in walk is the traditional English way, however with young horses it is IME better to teach them to lift the back and build the muscles needed to carry the rider by frequent transitions up and down through WTC, and with changes in direction and exercises like figure of 8 and serpentine in short schooling sessions. Walking, especially slow walking, doesn't lift the back and it is not something I would do a great deal of with my youngsters, relaxing and enjoyable though it is I'm sure.

Further note - Spanish horses typically have dainty feet, my last PRE chap took a 13.2 pony-size shoe (or would have, had he worn them, which he never did). They often bamboozle farriers in this part of the world, unless they have experience of them.
 
Cortez said:
Just a little note; "long, slow miles" in walk is the traditional English way, however with young horses it is IME better to teach them to lift the back and build the muscles needed to carry the rider by frequent transitions up and down through WTC, and with changes in direction and exercises like figure of 8 and serpentine in short schooling sessions. Walking, especially slow walking, doesn't lift the back and it is not something I would do a great deal of with my youngsters, relaxing and enjoyable though it is I'm sure.

Further note - Spanish horses typically have dainty feet, my last PRE chap took a 13.2 pony-size shoe (or would have, had he worn them, which he never did). They often bamboozle farriers in this part of the world, unless they have experience of them.
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Good advice and definitely not just for Spanish horses :) Developing the carrying muscles really is vital before doing lots of the carrying. :)
 
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