Examples of TBs w/good Dressage Conformation

[sweetiebob]

Can anyone post photos of TB's with good dressage conformation. Also, why do breeders describe horses that would be "great for hunter or dressage" aren't we talking about slightly different types of conformation and the ways of going?

[mbm]

while i am not going to claim my TBs have excellent confo, i will say that 2 of them are going to be great ammie dressage horses.... both are super ridable, easy to train and both have really nice movement - one is very "up" in her movement - more like the modern WB with lots of knee action - she also has a hind end to match.... the gelding just have nice all around gaits - probably more "hunter-ish" but my trainer really likes him and he is so easy to ride ...

neither one of them look like much!

on the other hand i just got a lovely 17 h 2 yo that has wonderful confo... and she has a bow...

and all 3 came off the track so clearly the not so pretty ones are better functionally..... i would not pass up a horse based on confo unless of course there was some glaring fault.... many really nice horses dont look like much standing around :)

my point being - you never know until you start working them....

you can see pics of all 3 on my link below.

[EqTrainer]

The best place for you to go look is

www.mapleshadefarm.net (http://www.mapleshadefarm.net)

Margaret has a great eye for what horses will do best at based on conformation.

Here are a few of the TB's I have had over the years.

[dalpal]

Here's my boy....he's a 3rd level schoolmaster and has been working on fourth level movements. If only I could have afforded him in his prime. My trainer is impressed with him and he isn't a huge TB fan. This boy is an English TB.

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/grayboomerang/dals%20and%20horses/?action=view&current=Cooper907.jpg

[enjoytheride]

Personally I would pass on anything over 16.1 and anything that has bowed in the early stages of its training. I think the huge TBs can't escape racing without injury because they are still growing and gangly and the size increases the chance of injury. Also, if a horse bowed before it raced or only raced a time or two I would pass because I think that means it does not hold up to heavier work. Now, if it had been racing for a year and bowed I would feel less hesitent because it was in heavier work then I would ever put it in.

Honestly there are too many ottbs out there to accept one with a bow unless it was perfect in every other way.

[EqTrainer]

Both of the TB's I have shown pics of are over 16.2. One was 16.3, the other is 17 hands and a little change.

I find it easier to find uphill TB's with really good necks when they are bigger, not smaller. JME.

Dalpal, how big is Coopah? 16/16.1 or so?

[enjoytheride]

Well, I also have stubby legs and personally a horse over 16.2 is a pain to get on, get off, load, trail ride, etc so I'd much rather have something smaller anyway.

[dalpal]

Both of the TB's I have shown pics of are over 16.2. One was 16.3, the other is 17 hands and a little change.

I find it easier to find uphill TB's with really good necks when they are bigger, not smaller. JME.

Dalpal, how big is Coopah? 16/16.1 or so?

Awww, he's shrinking in your memory bank...:lol: He's 16.3.

[keana]

Every now and then I run into one I can afford of the track that I like I was so close to bring this one home but she got away:no:
She was at a rescuse and there becuase she was just too slow. I would of loved to of seen what she could of done in the dressage ring.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c64/redtrinitygirl/sail-on-home.jpg
SAIL ON HOME, 2004 dark brown 16 hand filly
By Helmsman out of Lucky Target
This pretty girl could go dressage or hunters with her natural over-stride and elastic gaits. She is a big mover with a friendly, quiet attitude and she is well- socialized with people and other horses. No mare issues! "Sailor" raced only twice and had no racing injuries, she was just a little to slow for her prestigious stable. Here is lots of fresh talent for the right rider!

[dalpal]

Every now and then I run into one I can afford of the track that I like I so close to bring this one home but she got away:no:
She was at a rescuse and there becuase she was just too slow. I would of loved to of seen what she could of done in the dressage ring.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c64/redtrinitygirl/sail-on-home.jpg
SAIL ON HOME, 2004 dark brown 16 hand filly
By Helmsman out of Lucky Target
This pretty girl could go dressage or hunters with her natural over-stride and elastic gaits. She is a big mover with a friendly, quiet attitude and she is well- socialized with people and other horses. No mare issues! "Sailor" raced only twice and had no racing injuries, she was just a little to slow for her prestigious stable. Here is lots of fresh talent for the right rider!

WOW....Gorgeous

[adelmo95]

This mare was still very green in the video but I feel has the potential to be a nice dressage horse with more training. Here is a link to a short video clip of her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THmXsXgU0Ps. In the clip you can see she has a LONG way to go before she would be ready for a dressage show but I feel she has the potential.

[keana]

WOW....Gorgeous

you don't see many like that just coming off the track....

[sm]

Can anyone post photos of TB's with good dressage conformation. Also, why do breeders describe horses that would be "great for hunter or dressage" aren't we talking about slightly different types of conformation and the ways of going?

Interesting you ask.

Correct Dressage Conformation can be different than WB conformation. If you don't believe me, compare Lippazanner conformation and WB conformation. And see who holds up to the upper level work better with less hock problems.

WB conformation is looking for a specific type of horse to belong to a specific registry, so they must be of one specific physical type to belong. On the other hand, TBs are not accepted to their registry based on physical type, they are a closed book breed...

What is correct conformation for a TB is to be built sound, to hold up to the rigors of being a sporthorse. Therefore, you can AND DO have TBs that can be a hunter on the "A" circuit and also participate for USDF Year End Awards. But You Honor is such a horse: he was bred to race, was a show hunter, then started dressage and in 2008 competed in USDF All Breeds First Level Open.

So --- many TBs have good dressage conformation.

[keana]

This one is cute..

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c64/redtrinitygirl/r-baggio2222.jpg
R.BAGGIO, 1998 16.2 h Black Gelding.
R. Baggio was a superstar on the racetrack, winning over $300K, but he had the good fortune to belong to owners who took great care to retire him when he still had the potential for a second career. His tremendous presence and movement, coupled with lively intelligence, make him an outstanding dressage prospect for the experienced rider. He much prefers the company of women.


I really like a LOT of the horses coming from this place if I was looking for a ottb I would look here.
http://www.tranquilityfarmtbs.org/adoptable_list.htm

[camohn]

Can anyone post photos of TB's with good dressage conformation. Also, why do breeders describe horses that would be "great for hunter or dressage" aren't we talking about slightly different types of conformation and the ways of going?

Well a dressagey one will ideally have a higher set on neck for one.......hunters go with a lower neckset. It is much easier to find a TB with a lower neckset. But really in the end it is how the horse moves...so you need a good shoulder. Most TBs will have a sweepier/lower moving stride as the point is to be smooth. But even a not uphill TB can do well in dressage if the gaits are pure and with a good stride. It's not ALL about being uphill though you sure don't want DOWNhill! The TB stallion I had did have a more hunter build......the clinicians at the clinics I took him too always had the first impression he was "a nice hunter/jumper looking TB that was there to do lower level dressage" and I always got the comment at the end how surprised they were he was such a good dressage mover...he really was a GP DRESSAGE prospect.
Confo
http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/?action=view&current=WildByDesignCroppedConfo.jpg
About 40 days under saddle
http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/?action=view&current=BoomertrotOct05.jpg
and this is his 2007 colt out of a TB/Paint cross mare so he is 3/4 TB and 1/4 APHA
http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/?action=view&current=BoomerJuniorJuly07005.jpg
This is a TB that scored well at her inspection for basic confo (though please keep in mind she is 23 years old/had a lot of foals so has really lost her topline.........) and her foal got a 7.7 at inspection last year.
http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/?action=view&current=IMG_6292.jpg
and her 2008 Waldaire filly
http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/?action=view&current=IMG_6472.jpg

[EqTrainer]

Awww, he's shrinking in your memory bank...:lol: He's 16.3.

:lol: I think I really measure everything in "too wide" or "not too wide" and somehow equate that to height... since he is the perfect width, I figured he was a little shorter!

[dalpal]

:lol: I think I really measure everything in "too wide" or "not too wide" and somehow equate that to height... since he is the perfect width, I figured he was a little shorter!

Don't forget that really, really high wither....if his wither wasn't so high, he'd probably be about 16.1.:D

[EqTrainer]

you don't see many like that just coming off the track....

Actually.. you do.. they just don't look filled out and relaxed in their body yet. That is why I said that the OP should look at Mapleshades site, because believe me - I have seen those horses before and after pics :D - most people have no idea how much "track" conformation and "after track conformation" can be different.

The mare is really cute. I'm not crazy about how straight her neck is, how the bottom of it is put on, or her hock angle. Take a look at the neck on the picture of the first horse I posted - the red horse, to see what I mean about a straight neck versus one that is naturally arched w/a really great throatlatch. Her neck goes along w/her heavier style shoulder and a less than verticle chest front. I love the top of her neck and her coupling and how short her hind cannons are. She does look like a sprinter type horse to me and they do tend to be tied in at the elbow, which she appears to be, but you'd have to get your hand in there to be sure.

Every horse has their pluses and minuses, her minuses are not ones I would easily overlook in a dressage prospect. Then again I didn't watch her video so maybe she easily overcomes them and I would say WOW! Damn that slow download...

[Foxdale Farm]

Here's a mare by my stallion, Gatsby (who is 1/2 TB). She is out of a TB mare, which technically makes her 3/4 TB, 1/4 Hanoverian. She won the 2007 Blue Heron Farm 4 year old dressage prospect championship with a score of over 75%! Her owner said she has won multiple championships at Training and First Levels.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2875554600103489770uZyvWX

www.foxdalefarm.us

[Paula]

Sorry I can't do a direct link, but if you look here http://web.sendtoprint.net/proofbook/login.asp and use the password signature then look under categories at the top and broodmare four this is a really nice example of a tb who is of the dressage type. Keep in mind she is a 19 old broodmare (Secretariat daughter). She has produced some very nice top dollar high level offspring (out of wb stallions - sold in the six figures). This is a very pretty old girl :)

[Peggy]

Cool showed thru 4th level, earned me a bronze medal, and worked thru about I-2. He was just under 16.1, uphill, and short coupled. He got the Buckpasser looks but not the accompanying disposition. He was galloped for the track but did not run--probably too slow and lazy.
Photo (http://homepage.smc.edu/kline_peggy/images/peggy_cool.gif) Pedigree (http://www.pedigreequery.com/general+putnam)

[Perfect Pony]

Well this TB was a pretty decent drssage horse, and 17.2 hands tall. Anyone have a conformation shot of him?
http://www.usdf.org/halloffame/inductees/profiles/keen.asp

[EqTrainer]

Sorry I can't do a direct link, but if you look here http://web.sendtoprint.net/proofbook/login.asp and use the password signature then look under categories at the top and broodmare four this is a really nice example of a tb who is of the dressage type. Keep in mind she is a 19 old broodmare (Secretariat daughter). She has produced some very nice top dollar high level offspring (out of wb stallions - sold in the six figures). This is a very pretty old girl :)

Wow.. she looks like she could have been the red horses dam. What a beautiful girl!

[Trevelyan96]

My 2 are entirely different in conformation, but most trainers who see Rico think he's got nice conformation for dressage, and he is a very nice mover.

Trav was farily successful as a hunter, not sure about his conformation for dressage, although the judge really liked him today, and when he was eventing he always got good dressage scores.

I'll have a nice conformation photo of him posted tomorrow, I hope!

[tarheelmd07]

My trainer is showing this young TB...primarily in eventing, but we keep saying she should do more dressage with him, since he's a lovely mover. He's off the track...and I think he's 7 this year.
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0EBK007T2S0026&po=26

[Lincoln]

If you haven't gotten stuck on this website before, you may be up late... here are a number of TB stallions who have contributed as improvement stallions to German Warmblood registries. Horse-Gate.com has a video library.
http://www.horse-gate.com/hengstvideos/index_tab_e.html

Laurie's Crusador in particular is a TB who produced a lot of dressage horses. Prince Thatch, as well. The "XX" after their name connotes thoroughbred. It's a little unfair to compare State Stud stallions in the prime of their breeding careers to the TB's you see coming off the track, obviously the conditioning is completely different, but you can get a sense of structure and movement.

[Sabovee]

I have several TB's - this one is showing 4th, schooling PSG...

Here are the closest thing I have to conformation shots....
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v78/28/82/818070045/n818070045_546048_2130.jpg
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v78/28/82/818070045/n818070045_546049_2710.jpg

And an action shot...
http://photos-d.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v274/28/82/818070045/n818070045_3739835_4988.jpg

[Eclectic Horseman]

I always liked this TB's conformation

http://www.tamarackhill.com/Stallions/reputed.htm

[rugbygirl]

He goes nicer than this, but here's how he travels on a loose rein. Great TB for Dressage.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q188/Perrys_mama/Loririding_small.jpg

[TKR]

Here's one of mine, bred for dressage and has the temperment, work ethic and conformation to go up the levels. The second one is a mare, also bred for dressage -- both by my senior stallion and o/o very good mares approved by wb registries and proven producers.
PennyG

[bigbaytb]

Here's a pic of me and my 17 hh ottb doing novice dressage at an event.

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=08JQ012Y270007&po=7
(pic 12 and 15 i think are the better ones)

You can look through some of the other pics..yes, i know my flaws, so don't need to remind me..we've been working on that this winter....

fyi, i'm a 5'10 big chicky.. .but he usually gets 7-8's on gait without me helping him much. he's very uphill.

at first look, his long back doesn't look like he could collect up. but since this picture was taken, we've been really working dressage. (more acceptance of bridle and stretching down into it) and he can get up under himself. he can do shoulder in and leg yeilds without complaining (he's a groaner when he thinks it's hard work) and started playing with half passes..all to work on flexibilily. but he really steps under himself and is now rather easy to collect at trot or canter.

(knock on wood)..his legs aren't the prettiest from his racing career (i got him when he was 5), but we've not had any problems there. only with the right hip.. his only lameness was time off from a torn muscle last year..we think he got flattened by a percheron he used to get turned out with..been pretty good since.

Anyway, my trainer, who thought he'd never really make it past 2nd level (if we tried) thinks he does have the potential for 3rd level if I ever wanted to go there.

I also get a kick that after many of my dressage tests, the judge asks what breed he is and is floored that he's an ottb. many think he's a WB.