[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“data-attachmentid”:10475904}[/ATTACH] 2013 16.2h gelding by HOO…conformation and video critiques please!
Bump
OK, compared to the filly? The gelding looks a little plainer, maybe a touch coarser in the head, then the filly on the ground but he is a much better mover and appears to go low and level by nature without being corrected every few steps. He has a nice, free moving trot from hip and shoulder, generally indicates athleticism. Like the Hot horses too, can do a lot with them.
JME but if they have learned to WTC, stop and steer and are fussy mouthed? They stay that way. YMMV.
This geldings first impression under saddle, IMO, is he’s going to be a show horse. He’s not fancy standing still but is a real nice mover who can pitty pat and step out a little more when asked. Might be able to do both tho he is more HUS type but bet he can do more for you.
How does his price compare? Keeping in mind he’s a year further along, he might be a better buy here for your budget.
Of course, you need to see them in person and hop on them to see if you click or at least get along or not. And vet, please PPE looking for signs of Navicular in QHs.
Trot amazing. Canter I’m not sure about. I wonder what it would look like moved up into a hand gallop. I feel like it could be improved upon but currently lacks some rhythm and strength. I’m not sure how much the rider is helping though. But it makes me wonder how the horse will do under western. But still might work.
Agree with everything @findeight said! I’m about to go check on the filly for curiosity’s sake. This guy isn’t quite as solid in the body as many of the HOO babies are, but I can appreciate that since his body isn’t super thick and stocky. His legs aren’t the neatest I’ve seen (ties in at the knee a bit, could have more bone but not bad) but I like his angles and he looks pretty solid to me. I did notice at the trot coming straight toward the camera, his front legs paddle out as they lift up. This can cause extra stress on the joints. That being said, I did have a lovely appendix mare who paddled terribly if she wasn’t lifting and engaging and moving correctly. It was hardly noticeable when she was going around as she should, but that takes a lot of forwardness, strength, and time. 
Never had any soundness issues with her.
His back is on the longer side, but a lot of the time that results in a smoother ride. His canter looks kind of awkward to me and I cannot put my finger on it, but I think lots of forward and making him stronger before slowing him down could do a world of help for him. Same with the trot. He has a lot of hock action (in a good way) and WANTS to have a ground covering stride.
Obviously not a critique of this horse specifically, but I’ve heard HOO horses are dumb in the best way LOL.
1 Like
Under tempo, on the forehand, but I agree he might move OK if allowed to go forward past that WP tranter. And does the tail extension come with the horse?
Cool trot!
a hair more forward at the center and I think he could sit and hang that front leg out there. If he is sound I would pick him over the filly! Do some Hunter Hack and HSE with him. Seems like a cool guy
I still like the mare better. Don’t get me wrong, this boy is nice but I feel like the mare rounds up and is a little prettier in both the front leg and her hock. If you try the mare, I would ask them to take off the training fork, and possibly play around with the bridle to see if she stops being fussy with her mouth. I know that my mare is better when the bit hangs lower in her mouth. Once again, can we not forget the mare is just a 2 year old!
I reeeeally want to like this gelding, but there is something that is making me go “meh”. He does paddle and his right front foot looks weird to me (maybe it’s the light and shadows?). His trot is nice and flowy, but his canter needs a little bit of work. I don’t know if it’s because he’s so long that it’s tough for him to hold himself together. I would like to see a video of him more collected to see if he drives up more in his hock. I did find another video of him, but he looks a lot better in the video you posted.
I feel that the mare has more all around potential and could probably do well in trail and HMS, whereas this guy is more geared for HUS events. I don’t think it would hurt to see this guy in person though!
I love his trot but am not a fan of his canter. He might be better if he can move out in the canter more but at his age I would expect him to be further along.
