Critique wanted!

[sniplover]

We just bought this sweet and loving mare, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on her. She's a 7yo TB by Bon Point - has been a pasture ornament for about a year. We are planning to take her to a WB inspection this summer(planning for GOV). I know she's not perfect, so I'd love to hear what you'd try to breed to improve on.

best standing up conf photo: http://flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2429418061/

Best Lounging photo: http://flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2430230102/

Her beautiful face: http://flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2429416263/?rotated=1&cb=1208746702699

From behind: http://flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2430227822/?rotated=1&cb=1208746675390

From in front, trying to eat camera: http://flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2429413645/?rotated=1&cb=1208746688655

Trotting: http://flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2430223152/ and http://flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2429418451/

Cantering: http://flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2430221484/

Hope that gives a solid overview. I'm biased - already in love - please be honest/harsh/pleasant/realistic!

[Lil' RoseBuds]

hello there-i like your mare, she is very pretty. i also have a TB mare that i'll be taking to a Verband inspection. i would say that your mare looks pretty built, therefore, i think you could get away with breeding to a finer boned stallion. i would breed to something that has big movement and really throws that shoulder out. she looks like she moves decent enough, just needs a little bigger movement. i am breeding to Starlight this year... he is nice. pretty mare!:cool:

[Ladybug Hill]

Very very cute mare!

[Hampton Bay]

She is cute! I like the heavier-built horses. She has quite the hind end on her.

I like her expression and the angle of her hind end. What I would look to improve on her is her balance (she is built a touch downhill, stifle higher than elbow), and her shoulder could use a bit more slope.

[Equilibrium]

I think she's gorgeous! She is built a bit downhill but that would be typical of the QH type of TB which I quite like. I think as long as you use a stallion that's uphill you would compliment her very well. She looks a sweetie!

Terri

[ThatScaryChick]

I think she is a beautiful mare!

[sniplover]

I agree with the need for a shoulder upgrade. We were thinking about Apiro for this year - he's a young stallion, but I think they would make a lovely cross for a hunter-type foal. For quick picture reference; http://www.silvercreeksporthorses.com/apirophotos.html

Keep the critique coming! I know there's lots of amazingly knowledgeable horse people here! :)

[kookicat]

Very pretty girl. :D

[sniplover]

< bump >

I'd love for someone's opionion on her hind legs. Sometimes I think I might see something, sometimes I don't (E.g. nice standing pic, I don't see it. Lounging in the field pic, I think I might...)

[foxhavenfarm]

< bump >

I'd love for someone's opionion on her hind legs. Sometimes I think I might see something, sometimes I don't (E.g. nice standing pic, I don't see it. Lounging in the field pic, I think I might...)

In the lounging pic it looks like she might be a touch sickle hocked, but definitely not in the good confo. pic.

She is REALLY nice! If you wanted an all TB baby, take a look at Artrageous on our website.

[sniplover]

That's precisely it. I didn't want to say the words to avoid prejudicing the audience's eyes..
I agree that they may be mild sickle hocks, if it is indeed present.. sometimes it's so hard to tell if you're just scruitizing so hard you're making up faults or if they're actually there!

Appreciate the thought, FHF, but we just bred her to Apiro :D Artrageous is certainly a handsome man though! Fedex didn't screw us up too badly this time, so hopefully in two weeks she'll be confirmed in foal. I'm super excited!

[Centuree]

Nice mare. I assume you are breeding for hunter then? Well looks like she's a very nice type for hunter and combined with Apiro should get a stellar baby! Personally, I see absolutely nothing wrong with her hind legs, the only thing I would suggest is find a stallion whose LS placement is a little more forward, but looks like you've already done that with Apiro!

[cheekyhorse]

OMG in that one confo shot, she looks JUST like a mare I used to have, wow!! That mare is 7/8 TB and 1/8 percheron and is now living in New York competing as a junior hunter and ami jumper. How cool, nice looking mare, hunter/event type in my opinion. I'd like to see her put with a stallion with a good front end. Uphill carriage, strong shoulder. She has a good hind end but is downhill in build, so pick a stallion to offset those traits. I love her face, she is very pretty! Good luck with her!!

Oh, sorry just saw the bred to Apiro post! Good choice for her!! Good luck!!

[sniplover]

update: We just pinched a twin a few days ago - would appreciate jingles for one healthy baby at 28 days!

[sniplover]

One baby confirmed - yay! Now I just have to wait 10 more months...