trying to learn conformation better here....thoughts?

[Toccet02]

http://www.obssales.com/augcatalog/2006/Aug220.html

This horse was described in a Thoroughbred Times article as being "flawless, the best in the sale" (I don't remember who said it, but it was a prominent player in his sale. He was the session topper.

To my learning eye, he seems to have a short neck that looks weak, and pretty long pasterns. Legs otherwise are nice and straight though, with good quarters. I'm not crazy about the shoulder area; looks too "heavy".

Any comments on my interpretation would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[LSB]

Horses very often look totally different in person than they do in their photos. I don't know if that's true in this case, but it might be.

[Toccet02]

Horses very often look totally different in person than they do in their photos. I don't know if that's true in this case, but it might be.

yes—but do you agree/disagree with any of my observations? Based on the pic, of course.
Thank you.

[henthorn]

I like his balance, his shoulder and pastern angles, his frame and relative weight. In person I would also be watching his focus, temper, nervousness, etc. A standing picture tells nothing about asymmetries in gait or spine, or angular defects of the legs. Agile horses usually can smoothly walk through any minor conformation flaws without excessive work or excessive wear and tear. And remember, this is a yearling, who has a lot of growth and development ahead of him. Smart Strike is known for putting out athletes, and is himself not very correct. Long pasterns don't bother me unless the horse is heavy, crooked, or has lax ligaments.

[Toccet02]

Thanks very much. That's very useful. I did think he looked very balanced as well.

[remie]

I was at the sale yesterday. This colt was very nice. henthorn was right on the money with this one. The colt had a very well behaved manner about him but also had that spark in the eye that I look for;)

[henthorn]

Two of my current horses had that "certain something" in their demeanor at the yearling sales that is intangible, but recognizable. They stand out from the crowd by their authoritative manner, focus, concentration. It's as if the nearby people and surroundings are inconsequential to the horse, and tolerated in the spirit of expediency.

One was Vivid Dreams, who was never able to race because of sesamoid problems, and the other was Reigning Glory, who lacked the competitive edge. But hopefully both will be good broodmares. Vivid's 3yo is my avatar--the dominatrix Dreams for Hire. And Glory's first is a grand looking seven month old named Royal Pacific.

[Ill-bred]

I got a couple up-close looks at this horse in Ocala, and I found him very well-balanced and athletic. He seemed special.

[Vindicated]

I am going to agree with the comment about the pasterns-he would have too have something really special for me too overlook them-

I love his shoulder-almost-his shoulder angle matches his pastern angle which is supposed to indicate a fluid step-but like his pastern the shoulder is almost too sloping-His neck is not pretty, but its not incorrect-it does make him seem a bit heavy up front though-

No horse is perfect-its just a sliding scale of values that make up a personal opinion of acceptable-but I would'nt buy this one

[Ill-bred]

Some interesting comments! Many of the top consignors in Florida loved this horse.

Let's put him on our watch list and see how it all turns out...

[dray33]

Pasterns look right to me, need to see him walk. If he is sloppy, that would turn me off.

[Crystal]

wasn't it a famous trainer that said they should have the looks of a lady, but the swing like a hooker????

[dray33]

I think the quote (I believe Lucas said it) was: "should have the head of a princess, the butt of a fry cook and walk like a 2 dollar hooker"...

[Crystal]

YES, Drew Thank you!! I knew someone else would know that!

[Roguelet]

the butt of a fry cook

That wouuld be square and yellow with holes, right????