As far as looks go, I prefer a square shaped horse also.
As far as more intagible qualities go, a horse who really enjoys dressage is always beautiful to me. The horses who do it but don’t really love it are not beautiful to me, they never express joy and enthusiasm in their work.
My Youtube isn’t working.
the video is the third link down.
http://www.google.com/search?q=trakehner+stallion+oskar&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Trakehner Stallion Oskar.
He broke his back and has some pieced welded together. lol. regardless look at that boy move!!
And Denny’s TB. If I had a mare to breed it would be to this guy for sure.
http://www.tamarackhill.com/Stallions/reputed.htm
definition of beautiful
Check out the Anduluz and the 3 yr old saddlebred stallion on www.frenchlightdressage.com video section for beautiful alternative types.
I’ve always loved Khemosabi’s look. He’s got just the right blend of substance and refinement. I also like the look of this stud, (not great pictures, but check out his vids) by the breeder of Teddy O’Connor. Finally, my TB who recently died was my style…very refined head, very leggy but with substance. Scroll down to the headshot…they say you can’t ride the head, but a beautiful head is awfully nice in dressage, a sport very much about aesthetics.
Nick’s a cutie too… scroll down to see him in tack at Dressage at Devon 2008:
http://www.westwoodwelshponies.com/id5.html
Adorable! I am a short somewhat sqat rider and while I don’t possess the beautiful leggy look of a dressage queen, at least I know there can always be ponies like this in my riding future!
My definition of beautiful is any horse that moves in a correct and through manner who looks happy with the work.
As far as my favorite type- although I love baroque horse, I am verrrry partial to the weedy/thoroughbredy/refined horses. That and good hindquarters, I love good hindquarters:lol:
A horse with good symmetry. A strong laid back shoulder, short back, excellent hip angle. Neck should be set so that it enables the horse to lift naturally as part of their self carriage. Legs should be of good bone, joints clean and elastic, cannons short and strong… hooves large and round (so tired of seeing big horses on itty-bitty feet). Luckily, these qualities can be found among almost all breeds from 14hh Arabians, to 17hh Oldenburgs.
While having posted long ago about what I would look for in a beautiful and good dressage horse (u/l capabilities), I did so from a conformation and mental ability…that is, conformation that can stand up to the rigors and not need joint injections by the time it is 9…and has the mind that has to go with it.
Regardless of our ideal…“beauty is what beauty does”. And often beauty is in the mind of the beholder. Dressage, as we know, can be very subjective by those who judge it (ostensibly objectively) and those ride it (personally)…there is nothing as clear clear as dropping a rail, or crossing the finish line a nano-second to late, like other more cut and dried equine disciplines.
Good dressage horses come in all shapes and sizes…there is science in the selection of any horse for any given sport. Dressage requires so much more than things that simple. That’s why it’s so hard whenpurchasing one for this particular sport that is so grounded in body and mind,of both rider and horse.
My own horse meets all my “drool” criteria!
Love my stallion! Gorgeous with all the brains, willingness, and kindness to top it off…
http://image66.webshots.com/566/1/74/66/2351174660103489770VRRZfa_ph.jpg
http://image63.webshots.com/763/1/77/34/2786177340103489770Tgnlxd_fs.jpg (first show)
http://image72.webshots.com/172/2/96/61/2986296610103489770DQHFGU_fs.jpg
Substance!
I like a modern looking horse who looks refined in the head and neck but has a substantial body with very nice hindquarters and loin and good bone (light but not too light). I like leggy, but some horses I think are getting too leggy.
This mare was my all time favorite as far as type and build. She has good length of leg but is not overly leggy.
I really like this guy…oohh lala
Love the TB’s. Funny - while I am attracted to the warmbloods due to their temperment and substance, I love the TB’s for their work ethic.
My OTTB mare is forward, naturally collected and loves to work. Somewhat light in bone, at first, I wasn’t interested in her until the dealer said, “You have to see her move!” I was stunned by her athleticism, movement and natural collection - not what I would have expected from just looking at her bone and conformation. After 40 years of working with horses, this mare certainly took me by surprise.
Edgewood, your mare was my type too! She was lovely. Although not quite the quality of your mare, my (also G line) mare is a bay version of the same general type. She has the same typy head and neck, and the round body. I’d like about 2" of leg on my mare, which would put her at 16 hands.
I have to say again I am so sorry about what happened with your mare. She was obviously very very special. Do you have any video?
Rembrandt!! Not that I could actually ride him, but to me he was everything a dressage horse should be – light, expressive, elastic, powerful.
Totally breath-taking.
Thanks for the comments Perfect Pony! Ghlycerine was special and everyone who saw her commented on how special she was, including Scott Hassler who asked if Susanne could train her. Unfortunately, Susanne rode her only a few times before I lost her.
If you scroll down the main page of my website http://edgewoodmeadowfarm.com/ to the very bottom there is a memorial video to her. The footage was taken during a lesson and she is about 4 years old in it (with me her AA rider).
For dressage, our broodmare is truly my ‘dreamhorse’… Big old style mare, with a gorgeous floaty trot:
http://warmblood-color.com/Pages/Horses/Wicca/Wicca_page2.html
http://warmblood-color.com/Pages/Horses/Wicca/Wicca.html
That is my Arab gelding, Merlyn. For an Arab, his type is awesome! Unfortunatly, he definitely doesn’t have the work ethic for dressage, which is disappointing, he’s such a character.
I love seeing the differences in what people like!
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