What do you think of this horse?

If you want a proper conformation analysis, then strip your boy down and get a good side shot on. However, in the real world nearly every owner has to compromise somewhere. He does look long in the back, so are a lot of mares and yes he would be a little weaker.

For me the real question is why someone felt compelled to offer critisism? and be unkind...
 
I's wait till the person who made the criticisms partner or other half made an appearance at the stables - then i'd walk up and give her a brutal confirmation criticism about him afterwards!
 
Sorry to say this but he does have a long back, long, weak neck and a head that is a tad too big for his body.

But so what? No horse is perfect, and at least he has a pretty (albeit a tad big!) head :D

Don't let what other people think about your horse get you down, he is yours and ultimately only your opinion of him matters as it's you who owns, rides and works with him :)
 
aww hes lovely! Dont listen to them, they are probs just jealous! how big is he out of interest? The only thing I would say he could probably do with a bit more muscle on his neck. then maybe his head would look a little more in proportion. but certainly a very nice horse and you should be proud to own him!
 
flump said:
They said he had an abnormally long back? And his head was to big for his body! I don't see it but wanted to see if anyone else did!
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Yes, he is long in the back, and lack of muscle does make his head look a little big.

However, he's a really nice sort - and get some condition on him and his head will look normal.

I think he's very, very handsome!
 
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Who said it then? Elle McPherson?! I doubt it! Don't let them get to you, he looks a sweet honest sort & i'm sure he does the job you ask of him just fine. If you didn't specifically ask for a critique of his conformation, pretend you didn't hear it & forgot about it.
 
He's got a lovely head/face :) He looks long in the back and his neck looks a bit weak and the saddle looks too small but that is just because you did ask for comments and I was peering at him trying to criticise. If you enjoy him then that's all that matters. :)
 
Spring Feather said:
Unless the tack and photos are really not doing the horse justice then I have to say that I can see what the person is saying as he does look like he has a very long back, straight long neck and his head (although a pretty face) does look a little large for his body. If the person said it in a nasty manner then that's not on but if they were just saying it as pointing out what they saw then where's the harm in saying what they see? As an aside, what a beautiful collected jump he has and looks like he works very nicely. I do wonder though if part of it is that breastplate you have on him, it makes him look a bit cut and shut.
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This. He does have a long back and a large head, but very few horses are perfect. My mare who is my horse of a lifetime, has a long back and short neck, but I love her all the same. You should not take comments regarding conformation as being nasty. They are purely factual. I bet their horse has some conformation faults too!
 
Yes he does appear to have a long back but then so does my mare and it doesn't detract from her abilities or her character. Have you also noticed that horses with long backs seem to be superb jumpers?
I don't think his head is too big, he just lacks muscle.
He has a lovely kind eye which is one of the first things I look for before looking at confirmation. May sound silly but I believe you can get a feel for the horse by the look in his eye. Has always worked for us.
No horse is perfect and be honest would you really want a perfect horse? You'd be too scared to do anything with it for fear of damaging it in someway :p
 
As above really,

He IS long in the back, and he has a weaker neck which makes his head look bigger....

BUT who cares?! He is what you want and love and he's perfect to you.....that what matters :D
 
micramadam said:
Yes he does appear to have a long back but then so does my mare and it doesn't detract from her abilities or her character. Have you also noticed that horses with long backs seem to be superb jumpers?
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There was an article in a well known horse magazine a few months ago where top riders were asked about aspects of conformation which they felt were advantageous for their discipline and a showjumper, might have been a whitaker, said that long-backed horses made good jumpers.
So there. (says the proud owner of a horse with a long back).
OP - your horse is lovely, btw :)
 
Thanks all :) I think i did just ignore her, as the owner of a horse who won't do this and that and does not like this and that!

I really like Hearing what others have to say about my horses good or bad but can't stand bitchy comments for no constructive reason! I might do a post later and ask people to look at all my boys and see what they think. It's intresting :)
 
flump said:
They said he had an abnormally long back? And his head was to big for his body! I don't see it but wanted to see if anyone else did!

I have a strange collection of horses and don't really care what others think but I just couldn't see what they see. If that makes sense!
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Ignore them, he is lovely, I like him!
 
flump said:
They said he had an abnormally long back? And his head was to big for his body!
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In the first picture he does appear to be long in the back and his neck appears to be weak which makes his head seem large.

However he has a beautiful face, with such a kind eye and I'm sure there are a lot of people who would be very proud to own such a handsome horse.
 
There is an old saying and I can't remember it now, something like
"To his good points be forever kind
To his bad points be forever blind"

and handsome is as handsome does :)

He is lovely, take no notice of stuff and nonsense and enjoy your horse.
 
RebelRebel said:
There is an old saying and I can't remember it now, something like
"To his good points be forever kind
To his bad points be forever blind"

and handsome is as handsome does :)

He is lovely, take no notice of stuff and nonsense and enjoy your horse.
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This he is lovely he does need a stronger top line and more muscle at the top he would look perfect then he is just long and a bit big in the head because the picture is out of balance He is a cracking horse that could be stunningly beautiful with more top on him
 
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