Conformation opinions please ?

Question

This is my boy Falco.
He has his faults but we'd be interested in hearing what you think of him. Not selling or anything - just want an objective view thanks.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11231383@N05/1497254114/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11231383@N05/1497258002/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11231383@N05/1497256320/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11231383@N05/1496397249/

Yes, he does stand like that which makes him look worse - he moves well and could probably go all day but not at speed ! and loves to jump !
He has shiverleg ( EPSM) so he can't turn too well at the back.
Here's one of him being ridden
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11231383@N05/1500134302/
Somehow I always miss the really good shots ! - You should see him buck !!

He's about 15

Pics taken at twilight - coat is good. He is Irish draft x thoroughbred

Answer 1

Well, before I say anything, I just want to say that I think he's absolutely adorable. I don't like chestnut horses much, but he is that type of horse that I really really really like. If he'd had a roman nose, I'd be all over him :) Just a big cluncky looking thing that screams gentle as a lamb and fun to ride all day.

That being said, his conformation, in my opinion has a few points of interest.

His head is nice, and it sits on his neck well. His neck meets his shoulders quite nicely, but his shoulders are very straight, which continues down his forelegs. They are quite straight out of the shoulder. His cannons look good - short, powerful, and strong, and his front ankles are nicely developed. His feet look terrible - sorry. While he seems to have an OK amount of heel, to me from the pictures, his angles are too low, and his feet look cracked.
His incredibly short back slumps off poorly into a very low-set and underdeveloped croup which continues down into very unmuscular hips, gaskins, and stifle area. His hind legs scream neurologic disorder. Does he have wobblers, or EPM that you are unaware of?? And again, his hind feet look rather unhealthy.

Over all, his back end doesn't match his front end, and his front-end base narrow stance along with his back end- stretched out stance screams to me that he is a horse trying hard to keep his balance. Have you ever turned him in a very very very thight circle? Get him to keep his front legs as still as he can, and only move his hind legs - but be careful doing it --- the way he looks to me, he'd probably fall over attempting this neurologic function test.

Answer 2

Looks like he'd be decent to hunt. The main things I'd say is that he has a bit of a goose rump which may look worse in the pics due to the way he's stood, a tad straight through the forearm but has a nice deep girth and looks like he has plenty of heart room. His head doesn't look too big at all in proportion to his body, it's that his neck is a bit underdeveloped and lacking muscle definition. I think if he was fitted up and got some more defined muscle and tone, he really would make quite a nice hunter type. Those big solid feet would be great for going through plow. He looks like a nice, solid type that would take care of you.

Answer 3

I think you should have stood him up straight!!!! lol!! I bet he doesn't normally stand with his back legs splayed out!

Head slightly large. Neck good length but could do with a bit more muscle in front of the wither.
Should be a straight line through the point of his hocks and back of the cannon but his are in front of this in the one picture, which is quite common in draft horses.
Hindquarters look a little weak and angular when viewed from the side but better viewed from behind. Cow hocks - or is it the way he's standing?!
Front feet do not appear to be a pair - offside one appears to turn out, but front legs are straight.
Good depth of girth and a kind eye.

Answer 4

He is a little over at the knee. I would say he is heavy on the fore hand as he shows all his strength in his front end. (weak behind)
The wide, cow hocked stance could be down to a hip problem.He shows wastage in the croup (if he were mine I would get his back checked) Looks ok under saddle but needs riding into the bit to improve his hind action ( does he track up in walk & trot?) and develop his back to support the rider.This would improve his hind quarters too. More flat work over poles (not jumps) to get him ballanced and using hind.He looks like a really nice honest chap. He's lovely.

Answer 5

The most obvious fault is his hip which is much too short and sloped. Perhaps if he was standing straight in back it may not look so severe. He also looks like his legs are too short, but again that could be because of the angle of the photo. His head is large, but that would be from the draft influence.

Answer 6

He looks like he was afraid to stand on the cobble stone???? He looks very large!! His hind end looks weak...... His hooves look like too much rain.....???? I think his hooves are fine. He looks like very sturdy!!!! But the only thing that matters is that you love him!!!!

Answer 7

you don't say how old he is ? looks like in his 20 s ? and been worked hard in younger life. least he has a loving home for the rest of his life, and to be pampered to pieces and kissed to death, ah bless

Answer 8

o.k. so his conformation is not too hot, but hey what does it matter You said yourself he is not for sale. He has a kind loving home that is whats important.

Answer 9

Well, I am not a horse person, I am a dog person...but in dogs we'd say he's wide in the rear and too short on body.

Answer 10

He does look like an old horse that is out of condition. Looks like he could do with a bit of work to harden him off a bit and his coat looks a bit dull. Having said that it isn't about what I think, to you he is probably perfect.