Which horse has better conformation for halter?

[beau159]

In your opinion, which horse should I show?

It’s just a local open show (not breed specific) that offers halter classes. Now, I’m a bit biased and I think both of my current horses look great but I’m a bit torn on which one to show in the class. It would be the 3 year and older geldings halter class. And not like it’s a big deal, as it is more of a “just for fun” horse show. But of course, I want to use the better candidate!

**I’ll try to pick the best pictures I have on my computer at the moment, although I know they are not ideal for really accessing conformation.

Dexter is a 12-year-old quarter horse, about 14.2 to 14.3 hands tall. Out of my two horses, I think he is a the better candidate for a halter class (but you tell me if I am wrong and why!!). He’s a bit more compact and fairly balanced, and also does have some width to him, which I know they look for in a QH. Really his only flaw is that he has two weird bony spots on his nose.

(He’s not really downhill – just standing in a hole)

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Shotgun is a 7-year-old quarter horse, about 15.3 hands. I feel like he is a more “running type” QH look to him, rather than a halter QH look, which is why I think I would pick Dexter over him. And Shotgun has a very slight goose-rump. Or at least Dexter is more rounded than him.
[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:"http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k27/r_beau/2018%20Horse%20Pictures/IMG_5662_zpsuwkmmfgg.png)

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And the both of them side by side – would be nice if Dexter wasn’t looking at me instead. You can tell who is the more “alert” one and is always looking at me… ahem Dexter…
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[fordtraktor]

The grey. They are both cute, but the grey has a better neck/shoulder and a nice hip.

[cayuse]

I like the grey. For the same reasons as fordtraktor.

[TheBigEasy]

I like the gray better too. Nicer top line. Neck ties into the shoulder more smoothly. All around looks like a more proportionate animal.

Good luck! Halter classes are fun to see what shows up and what the judge thinks!

[Bluey]

In halter classes, generally darker horses tend to be exceptional to show good, lighter horses only have to be nice to beat better darker horses.

Not fair, I know, your grey horse may not be as good a horse otherwise, but standing there as he is in the first picture, he looks worth a second check by a judge.
The dark horse pictures are not doing him justice, his angles don’t look like he would beat the grey.

Horses are hard to catch just right for pictures to do them justice.
The judge will have the advantage to be seeing the horses in person.

[beau159]

Well I’m glad everyone likes the grey better, as I use him for showmanship anyway, and won’t have to switch horses!

@Bluey

In halter classes, generally darker horses tend to be exceptional to show good, lighter horses only have to be nice to beat better darker horses.

Interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before. But I suppose it makes sense, because you can see “details” easier on a lighter horse, than a darker one.

And I guess looking at the picture of the two of them, I feel like my eye is drawn toward the grey (versus the dark).

@Bluey

Horses are hard to catch just right for pictures to do them justice.
The judge will have the advantage to be seeing the horses in person.

Definately. A bad picture can make a halter champion look terrible!

I’m always by myself too, so it’s difficult to get them standing square for a good picture. :rolleyes: Especially when Dexter always wants to watch what I am doing…

[findeight]

The grey. No question. Awkward pictures but the grey has a better top line and neck, overall shows more quality. Doesn’t mean he’s a better horse, just more what a Halter judge will reward.

[jvanrens]

I definitely fourth or maybe sixth the grey. Much smoother, more balance look and after reading you do showmanship with this one, likely better trained to stand up square and easier to handle in the class. Who needs more stress on show day.

[cutter99]

I think the grey balances into thirds better. The dark horse looks butt high to me. The grey has a much stronger hip and hindquarters than the dark horse.

[beau159]

@jvanrens

I definitely fourth or maybe sixth the grey. Much smoother, more balance look and after reading you do showmanship with this one, likely better trained to stand up square and easier to handle in the class. Who needs more stress on show day.

Well … we’re working on it. The horse I usually do showmanship and halter with is out for the year with an injury (this is him ) so I’ve kinda thrown the grey into it. We don’t practice showmanship as much as we should, but he is doing well. He doesn’t quite yet comprehend that he is supposed to move that hind foot EVEN with the other hind foot, but he will at least more it forward and back for me, LOL.

[jvanrens]

@beau159

Well … we’re working on it. The horse I usually do showmanship and halter with is out for the year with an injury (this is him ) so I’ve kinda thrown the grey into it. We don’t practice showmanship as much as we should, but he is doing well. He doesn’t quite yet comprehend that he is supposed to move that hind foot EVEN with the other hind foot, but he will at least more it forward and back for me, LOL.

LOL! That’s half the battle. As far as practice goes, I hated it too, but any time I was doing anything on the ground I took the opportunity to work t it a little. Standing square for grooming and tacking up, walking right beside me in and out of the paddock, throw the odd pivot in and back up any old time.

Good luck!

[Palm_Beach]

The gray has better conformation. The front end of the dark horse does not match up with the back end.

[roseymare]

The Grey hands down. Better balanced, better neck and shoulder.

[beau159]

Well dang it. I can’t even tell you guys how he did! The show ended up getting postponed. A thunderstorm came through that morning and dumped a bunch of rain = standing water in the arena. They rescheduled it to this coming Sunday but I won’t be able to go because family is in town and we had plans.

Shoot!

[findeight]

That’s OK, we’ll be waiting for the update next week