[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;8925070]
I also agree that they appear more high-set or vertical in the neck as babies then they probably end up. Watch the under side of the neck once they are weanlings too to determine the topline–if that makes sense. If they are going to tie-in lower and have a lower neck set, the underside will tie in lower towards the chest on the foals. The topline is also harder to see because they don’t really have a wither yet at that age (at least the ones that will develop a sharp wither) and that will influence how the topline/neck set looks too. [/QUOTE]
I think that’s right about predicting the form-- and also function-- of the neck. Even when I’m looking at thin or undermuscled horses who are 3+ years, I look at two features in the neck: 1) How low the neck ties into the chest; and 2) whether or not there’s a dip ahead of the withers.
The former is, I think, an indication of just how vertical that horse’s neck can get and, in turn, how much easier it might be for him to rock back on his hind end during collection.
The “dip ahead of the withers” thing indicates a natural weakness in that part of the body. You can fill it in with correct riding, to be sure. But I smart old horselady told me in highschool of her own schoolmaster OTTB: “Watch that muscle ahead of the withers that you wish were there. It will take a long time to build and will be the first bit of muscling you lose when the horse is given time off or is ridden badly.” I have watched horses like this since and confirmed what she told me.
