What do you think of this horse?

Holly Hocks

Holly Hocks

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I bought this horse from a racing yard last April in VERY poor condition - she had lived on a fell for about 6 months over winter. This photo was taken about six weeks later. I took her to an in-hand show where she did very very well and the showing judge was extremely complimentary about her - told me what I already knew - that she needed more topline and condition, so we snapped a quick photo when we got her home, which I've just found. I know nothing about conformation - what do you see?? Thanks
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Nice head and clean looking limbs. Low set on neck (not sure how much this can be improved with conditon). Slightly upright shoulder and long pasterns). She also has muscle wastage behind the withers from a saddle that is too narrow (make sure your saddleis wide enough as I think you wll find she is wider than you may think). She is slightly goose rumped but nice hocks. So a mixed bag really. Would be interesting to see how much her top line can be improved.
 
Thanks Wagtail. She fell ill just after this was taken and has been off work until I started roadwork about 5 weeks ago - just taking it slowly. And I've had a saddle made to measure for her which saddler will come out and alter as she fills out.....
 
To be honest, although you could say the neck is ever so slightly low, there is not much wrong with her actual confo at all. Once muscled up over the top line she will be a show piece :)
 
Thank you Domino - that's basically what the judge told me. Although she has cost £9000 in vets fees (thank goodness for insurance!), she has to be the most bombproof horse I have ever ridden out, and to me that's priceless. I can work with schooling issues as long as they're good on the roads!
I'm in Cumbria too, so hopefully see you doing your PTPs at some point! Whittington Easter Saturday??
 
Maybe not sure yet, going to Corbridge next sunday though. Might see you showing her under saddle this year?? A lot of judges around here are TB people which will make your life easier!
Where is she from? Not a Solway horse from D.A?
 
No she's not a Solway - she's one of FM's from North Yorks - she was bred by his brother over in Ireland.
I don't think I'll get her showing under saddle this year I want to take things slowly with her after all the setbacks! But hopefully next year we'll be out and about. I'm going to do the veteran classes with the other one this year - another bombproof ex-racer!!
 
Come on showing peeps - I do want to do dressage with her, but I need to know is she good enough for showing in ROR classes if I can get her condition improved or will I get ripped to pieces? She actually has a very flashy daisy cutter trot - not ideal for dressage really!!
 
Holly Hocks said:
Thanks Wagtail. She fell ill just after this was taken and has been off work until I started roadwork about 5 weeks ago - just taking it slowly. And I've had a saddle made to measure for her which saddler will come out and alter as she fills out.....
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I don't think the wastage is due to your saddle but one she must have been ridden in before your bought her. Once you have her working consistently over her back with your well fitted saddle, the wastage should start to fill out. Don't worry about the daisy cutting for dressage. Should mean she can lengthen. Personally for showing I would want to see her cannons a little shorter and her shoulder more sloping, so even though I like her (I love thoroughbreds and she seems to be quite subtantial), I would not say her career would be in showing.
 
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Just to clarify, I am referring to in hand showing. There is no reason why she wouldn't do really well in riding horse classes.
 
Thanks Wagtail, I appreciate your honesty. As I say, I know nothing about conformation - I just like or don't like what I look at! I would prefer to do dressage with her rather than showing, but was just curious about what people thought. It's a long way off after all her illnesses and she is very very green, but she's a lovely horse to be around.
 
the state she's in now, lean shows the true structural confo exposed, she will be totally different covered in flesh, even the goosy rump

in you want to do dressage take the training very slowly, don't rush the paces or force on to the bit, it will come when she is ready, i have a horse with a piddly little trot a four yrs took it real slow, never pushing out of his natural trot, just kind consistant work, he now is expansive, round and his extention is so forward and huge i nearly fall off backwards sometimes! so your dream can come true, good luck with your mare
 
Thank you Tristar. I will be taking it extremely slowly with her. I don't like horses being forced into an outline and don't like gadgets, so I'm hoping to work with my instructor who trains classically, and helped me no end with my elderly gelding. She will be given as much time as she requires - I'm in no rush to go anywhere with her.
 
tristar said:
the state she's in now, lean shows the true structural confo exposed, she will be totally different covered in flesh, even the goosy rump

in you want to do dressage take the training very slowly, don't rush the paces or force on to the bit, it will come when she is ready, i have a horse with a piddly little trot a four yrs took it real slow, never pushing out of his natural trot, just kind consistant work, he now is expansive, round and his extention is so forward and huge i nearly fall off backwards sometimes! so your dream can come true, good luck with your mare
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There's hope for my latest 16.1hh TB with a pony trot then. I know it's in there somewhere....:rolleyes:
 
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