Well knock me over with a feather. I could have sworn that the last time I paid attention there were flying changes in second level. But now I only see simple changes
Always simple (but proper simple through walk) and the (stupid) introduction of counter canter, collected gaits and some lateral work beyond leg yielding.
3rd has always had the introduction of flying changes.
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I think the photo of him in his stall makes him look awful! Long backed, small butt, nice neck, but out-of-proportion head. Bleh. The under saddle photos are better, but he’s not reaching up under his belly.
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$3k for a grade draft cross with so-so conformation, nothing to suggest good gaits, and keeps being sold at auction sounds too high.
Even with prices tumbling, a true friesian cross with 2nd level training will be 5x that number, and I’d still suspect it has an issue.
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The first thing I thought while reading that ad, is that I can’t imagine that there’s a vet anywhere who would say, “I suspect there’s a chip in that ankle. Rather than taking a quick xray to confirm, I’ll just knock him out and open him up.” 
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After so many decades in horses, I am fluent in “ad speak” and understanding the context.
The statement in the original ad “can be spooky indoors, better outdoors” in context with OP just buying him in June and “recent injury forcing sale” claim? Creates the appearance these things are related. Beware.
Something appears wonky in the right front, the “bone chip surgery as a 2 year old” story on a cheap (maybe) 10 year old auction horse with multiple past owners is…ahhh…suspect. IME, that type surgery does not create noticeable scar tissue build up even with chip removal.
Poor guy, hope he lands in a soft place but unless there is verification of alleged ( oddball) breeding, age and backstory? Just another draft cross auction veteran with too many questions.
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This was my thought as well.
Going to guess he truly is not a F/L cross.
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[quote=“mommy_peanut, post:27, topic:788650, full:true”]
I’m surprised that there isn’t a touch of Gypsy in there, just a sprinkle!
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If there is, it sure missed the feather, from either the friesien (sp) or the Gypsy. Those don’t look like clipped legs to me.
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I’m slightly suspicious of his age and wonder if he’s more in his mid to late teens. He just has that look to me. I think he has a sweet face. Hope he finds a proper home.
Are those feet typical of a Friesian? Lipizzaner’s have more “defined” feet, no?
Either way they seem trimmed a bit short to me in the under saddle pictures.
Feathers would drive me nuts, I like seeing the whole hoof and angle. It’s like human bangs, some people love ‘em, some don’t.
We had a local eventing barn sourcing a lot of Percheron crosses from a ranch up country. Lots of Perch x TB in various proportions. They came out black or grey. It was a variable phenotype, you could get everything from a heavy hunter type to a baroque horse to a draft horse. They were useful lower level horses but the ones that trended heavier did not have the carriage and forward and gait you’d want for dressage. This horse just really looks like that. I’ve also seen several Freisian x QH and other crosses, and the Friesian neck set and feathers tends to persist because the Friesian breed in general is relatively homogeneous and therefore prepotent. There is nothing Friesian here.
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I was seriously doubting it was even the same horse. I still am.
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Some cell phone cameras significantly distort width.
That said I agree the head is quite different. But they both have short hips.
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I honestly treat all ads from unknown sellers or trainers as if they are deceptive or inaccurate. I go see the horse in the flesh, ride them and then make my judgment on training level. I no longer expect any horse advertised as sound to pass a PPE. I just wait and see.
I know the horse is only 3k but I’ve also been given horses or paid a very small amount and the same horses became a total money pits. Initial purchase are is the cheapest investment.
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Agree. It looks either clubby or, if xrayed, would reveal an extreme upright angle. Of course, that’s also the fetlock that underwent the surgical hunt for the invisible bone chip. Or, to put it another way:
I know, right? 
Anyway, he’s jet black with a sweet face and a voluminous mane and tail, and it appears that he will carry a rider around on his back to some degree (but preferably outdoors not indoors), so someone will buy him. I hope he gets a good home. But I would not be rushing out to bid on him.
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4 hours to go, and he sits at $3500, so she’s covered her purchase price anyway…
ETA, made $3800, hope that the buyer got a bargain
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I will bet $1 or - shoot - $5 that the seller got hurt on him or he scared her badly. Or both. Also agree with whomever upthread said they think he’s mid to upper teens (or older). Looks that way to me too.
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Purchase price maybe, but probably spent a good chunk of change to ship him halfway across the country so likely still looking at a loss.
