Anyone know of any good conformation/or running photo of Mr Prospector - good photos, etc.
How are his get not that sound or durable, as I’ve heard, though? What kind of possible issues?
Tx.
I have had several Mr Prospector young horses as hunter jumpers. Got all of them off the track. They have been lovely movers, very smart and athletic and in your pocket types. I believe there is a great confo shot of him on pedigreequery. Big nice bone and solidly built.
The conformation picture of Mr. P from when he was standing at stud can be seen here: http://www.nctfarm.com/Legends.html
Thanks Laurie.
Oh, sorry Moonriver. I’m not Mr. P. bashing - just looking for some info, to learn.
I don’t know much about him that is why I’m asking. I’m sure he has lots of great horses.
LOLing at that website. They sound like Northern Dancer being in practically everything that hits the ground’s lineage is a good thing…
I think what you have heard is he can throw less than perfect front leg conformation, depending on the lines he’s crossed with.
I have always heard his get have good dispositions, however.
Do we mean over-at-the-knee, or toe in, or toe out, or club footed, or . . .
Tx.
We have a 5yr old with a wonky ankle, he rotates out below the knee. He won around $200,000 & has a heart of gold but his confo was his demise.
If I can remember that far back, one of the criticisms of his foals was bad feet, often overlooked in favor of their speed.
Mr. Prospector died in 1999 so his youngest offspring are 11 years old. If they’re going to have soundness issues, it’s probably already happened.
If you’re thinking about buying a horse by him, why not just look at the horse itself rather than trying to guess what might be wrong based on pedigree? Ditto if you’re thinking about breeding to a son of his.
This notion–that seems to be pervasive on this BB–that where TBs are concerned, pedigree predicts everything about a particular horse (even when the ancestor under discussion might fall 2,3, or even 4 generations back) just baffles me. 
FWIW, we have mares that are related to Mr. P through Gone West, Street Cry, Seeking the Gold, Gulch, and Coronado’s Quest and every single one has different conformation good points and faults.
[QUOTE=LaurieB;5641352]
FWIW, we have mares that are related to Mr. P through Gone West, Street Cry, Seeking the Gold, Gulch, and Coronado’s Quest and every single one has different conformation good points and faults.[/QUOTE]
Ditto. There are 1000s of Mr P descendants (probably 100K plus) in the first 3 generations and they are all over the map temperament and conformation wise. I bred two half sisters using 2 different Mr P tail male stallions who couldn’t be more different in temperament, looks and frankly talent but they both have Mr P in about the same place in their pedigree. I wish they came out like in a factory.
Mr. P tended to throw a crooked leg, if I’m remembering correctly it tended to be right front. However, his son Fappiano is supposedly quite desirable to have in the pedigree of TBs used for sport horse breeding or stuff other than racing. I have an Unbridled grandson (Unbridled was sired by Fappiano) and he is one of the all-around nicest TBs I have ever met. He has the movement to be an A circuit hunter, and the personality and mind to do anything. Love, love, love him.
However, you can’t determine everything about a horse through their pedigree, it all depends on the individual horse.
Best of luck!
“If you’re thinking about buying a horse by him, why not just look at the horse itself rather than trying to guess what might be wrong based on pedigree? Ditto if you’re thinking about breeding to a son of his.”
No, not looking to buy or breed. Things aren't always what they seem. I'm just looking to learn. People have spoke of it, so I like to be informed. Quite simple.
“This notion–that seems to be pervasive on this BB–that where TBs are concerned, pedigree predicts everything about a particular horse (even when the ancestor under discussion might fall 2,3, or even 4 generations back) just baffles me.”
No, did not say such traits were a given. I'm a lover of knowledge, bloodlines, tb history, etc. To assume it must be that one is looking to buy or breed to a Mr. P. is just too simple & narrow. There are many, many reasons people seek information. I'm a researcher, student, historian type.[QUOTE=moonriverfarm;5639454]
I have had several Mr Prospector young horses as hunter jumpers. Got all of them off the track. They have been lovely movers, very smart and athletic and in your pocket types. I believe there is a great confo shot of him on pedigreequery. Big nice bone and solidly built.[/QUOTE]
Ditto this.
[QUOTE=Kwill;5640362]
I think what you have heard is he can throw less than perfect front leg conformation, depending on the lines he’s crossed with.
I have always heard his get have good dispositions, however.[/QUOTE]
Quoting myself here … on another thread concerning Silver Ghost (Mr. P), a poster reports they have difficult temperaments! I am surprised at that, since I have never heard anything but praise for SG descendants as sporthorses.
The poster also compares SG temperaments to Halo, which I have also heard can be difficult, but I guarantee that if that is said, many people will post they love their Halo-line sporthorses for their calm, willing natures.
My point is, unless we get some kind of empirical evidence, like an actual survey or study, most of the temperament opinions are conjecture. As for legs/feet the evidence seems to be more solid – but when considering an individual, you can see if a horse has conformation issues. If picking a sporthorse broodmare or stallion, then it would probably be wise to also consider the possibility of heritability of poor conformation.
It is helpful to use all the evidence, including bloodlines, when buying an OTTB or even a young TB that has not been raced to judge their suitability for a particular sport and type of rider. Obviously, an individual’s breeding will just be one factor. Sporthorse people (and race people) do seem to use some “folk wisdom” on the influence of bloodlines but for every pronouncement there seem to be many exceptions to the rule.
Before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, though, the genetic concentration and linebreeding of most modern TBs can fix some very specific temperament and physical traits into individuals. If you have 5 doses of Hail to Reason, or Bold Ruler, coming from both sides, those genetics may indeed influence part of the horse’s character and conformation.
In short, your mileage may vary, but some of the “folk wisdom” is probably valid. :winkgrin:
