What a GREAT photo!! you both look relaxed, happy, and ready to take on the world!
At four, he’s not quite done growing yet, either, so I wouldn’t worry too much about the downhill build just yet. If you want to post the photo, we’ve got some good conformation people here who can give you their opinion.
I had a very downhill-built QH who did First Level just fine. He had an extremely long back, and it was difficult for him to collect well, but if ridden correctly, he was just fine in dressage.
I used to be an engineer in a former life, and analyzing the sh*t out of potential decisions is my nature. I try to think about and anticipate all the downsides in advance. Then once I make the decision and come out the other side I’m almost always pleasantly surprised at how good it all is.
Oh.My.Goodness!
I am not qualified in the slightest to critique… but my eyeballs are smiling
He’s stunning and I hope it all goes well for you!
This made me smile…thank you!
I own a grade TBxQH who is 1-2" higher at the bum than his withers (depending on how fit he is). His conformation says he’s downhill. His movement says he’s not.
Go with his movement.
I like him. And if you actually level the photo so his feet front and rear are on the same line, he’s not as downhill as the original pic makes him look.
I think he’s lovely. I’m not a conformation expert but to my eye he looks well put together and well balanced. The downhill part doesn’t look bad and since he’s young he might even out. How tall is he?
Best of luck with the PPE. He looks and sounds great!
He’s currently 16.1 and a half. Feels really tall to me! OTOH, I leased a 17.2hh ISH a few years ago…that horse was huge, and lazy. A bad combo
Thank you!! I hadn’t thought about whether he was standing level, or I was holding the phone level, or…etc. (Dummy me!)
Wowza. He is nice. Not that downhill…no. Jingles for a good PPE.
Susan
I agree - he’s just not that downhill to me. Of course, my Bodie was at least 2" shorter in the withers than the croup, so I may be a bit biased
If he rides uphill, he should have no problems. That tells me he has good balance and strength already, and natural engagement and impulsion. I think he could very well even out in another year or so.
i recently told someone in the mustang-world that my SO was interested in a fresian and she sent me a pic of a mustang that she said looked ‘just like a fresian’ and that no one seemed to be able to train him. Since it’s halloween i think i’ll share it w/y’all. His name is “Ink” and he’s from the Onaqui (UT) range. He is being offered to me to train. I’m just not sure i could look at him every day…
My goodness he is ugly isn’t he I have a feeling his face is adorable from another angle though
He moves like a Fresian (they say). He’s 11. I’m thinking about it… I would have to take a pinto gelding too. (another one who does not want to be tame)
I have a pony built like this, except add a sway back and push the hind legs out behind him, with a steeper croup and longer gaskin. He’s still great fun and a cute mover despite being an odd assembly of spare parts.
OP, I hope it works out for you, that is a lovely looking boy and he sounds like a good egg. I’ve ridden some Friesians and crosses in my time and they were all great fun.
Fingers crossed for a good outcome!
I wouldn’t over-analyze at this point. Or to re-play and critique the future long before it ever happens. Try to re-direct those thoughts into total positivity!
Also you don’t need to explain to every new instructor, clinician, BO and barn mate why you bought this horse and not something more traditionally dressage. Another thing we analytics tend to do. This is Your Horse, that’s all they need.
It’s natural to keep re-assessing a big decision. And to continue to do that after the purchase. A behavior that is studied by marketers. But it’s not that meaningful at this point, in my point of view. You already went through this and don’t have to suffer it again.
Once he’s yours, more pictures!
Wow. Words fail me on that “fresian” mustang. Thank God the horse I’m buying doesn’t look like that! – The mustang’s front half looks like it belongs to a totally different horse than his back half. Like, are you sure this isn’t a Photoshop job?? (lol)
ikr! That was my first impression too. OMG…what IS that??? I might rename him Beast if he comes to me.