Friday, March 1, 2013

Critique this horse

I am still alive and well. The North Dakota winters haven't killed me yet, infact this winter wasn't even that bad! I was trapped at home for two days last week because my driveway drifted in. But temperature wise it really hasn't been that cold there has only been a handful of days that the windchill dipped down into the -50's.
Anyways on to more important things. I have been horse shopping via the internet. Which makes me thankful for living in an age where we can shop for horses 24 hours a day and bascially anywhere we go thanks to smartphones! Horse shopping, even 20 years ago would have involved calling people and driving out to see a horse! Inconvient for a girl like me who hates talking on the phone!
So I have emailed a place that rehomes retired racehorses. (Weird, me looking at retired racehorses right? But once you have had one they get into your blood!) This is the horse I have emailed about. I am asking you kind readers for help with this one.  Everyone seems to see all types of things that I tend to miss and for this I am thankful.

 
He was retired sound from the track in 2004. He went home with his jockey and was restarted as a hunter/jumper and has given plenty of lessons doing that. But they think he would be happiest and soundist if he had a job doing trail riding or lower level dressage or just being a pleasure horse. I asked about doing intro and training level dressage and they said he would do just fine, but he's just never been very competive at higher levels. They say that he would require chiropractic adjustments for his back and I am waiting to hear back more on that. She also said that he does occasionally spook, but loud noises don't bother him because he lived for 6 years behind a horse and hunt club and they were shooting all the time. I am also waiting to hear back about what kind of spook he has. Piney's spook involved letting out a big sigh, I don't think all horses handle scary things like he did. I am also waiting to find out why he has been there for a year...that might have some warning signs.
 
 
And now for some videos.
 

So please pick him apart and let me know what you are thinking...

10 comments:

  1. I like his front end a lot better than his hind end. The shoulder is good. His hindquarters are undermuscled and his stifles and hocks are very straight - I'd call him post legged behind. When he's moving at the walk and trot, he doesn't track up well - in fact in the still photo in the post you'll see that his hind legs aren't even reaching where the front feet were. Basically, he's on the forehand and trailing his hind end, and the lack of muscling in his hind end is consistent with that. Some of this may be correctable - he's being ridden way too much with the hand in the videos which would encourage this kind of travel. His neck is long and upside down, but many ex-racehorses show this sort of neck muscling and the way he's being ridden will not improve this - he's letting go in his neck only at the 2nd vertebra and not at all lower down. His canter is better than the trot. If you vet him, I'd check his back, particularly the sacral area, carefully - it's a very long back and he doesn't seem to be letting go in the back when moving. Hocks may be an issue too. With his conformation, he may not be very athletic, but it all depends on what you're looking for - he does look sweet and willing.

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    1. Thanks for the input! This is why I appreciate people's knowlege!

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  2. His giant head and neck look like they don't belong with the rest of his sorry looking body. Have you seen pictures of him without tack? I'd almost wonder if he was a bit sway backed. I do like his canter, but as an overall picture he just looks...unpleasant--like he's not enjoying his job.

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    1. Want to come to western North Dakota with me in a few weeks to pick out my new horse? I'm scared of what I might bring home...

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    2. Bring a trailer, we can get a head start on our business...

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  3. Definitely post-legged. I'm not sure I'd take a chance on what is otherwise a sort of pieced together, older gelding. He holds his tail a bit weird and does not track up... One of the videographers even mentions this. I think he'd rather be turned out and retire.

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  4. He also rides like he's been either ridden by someone with rough hands or lunged/ridden in draw reins.

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  5. I second (or third) that he is put together funkily! Is that a word?! haha

    He doesn't look like he is happy or comfortable working form the video- imho.

    I'd vet anything you seriously like - if you can :)

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    1. He does look a little miserable. I think it also might be because he didn't have any let down time after he retired.

      The cool thing with going out to get a TB from the place I got Piney is that there is a vet on site so I can get a check done, AND the horses have all had at least a year to relax after they retire.

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