Lauren Nethery’s OTTB Advice: Conformation Clinic

1. Seacliff – Driving Affair, by Winrightt

1. Current Status: Unknown

Top Five Most Notable Characteristics:

• Slightly back at the knee (about 190 degrees) which is indicative of a lot of ‘toe flip’ (heads up DQ’s!) but should be considered in relation to long term soft tissue soundness.
• SHORT pasterns with fantastic angles (45 degrees from heel, give or take).  When you are analyzing pastern length and angle, remember this picture.
• Cannon bones of equal length vs long bones
• Slightly closed hip angle (60 degrees or so) and a straighter-than-ideal but lovely size shoulder that matches her fantastic length of back.  This mare’s shoulder and hip might be notable con’s for another horse but with her back length and the way in which her shoulder and hip tie into that lovely back, she will be a fantastic prospect for any discipline.
• Pleasingly angular hind limb conformation that will likely lead to the ability to really ‘load’ her hind end well and spring off the ground both on the flat and over fence.

This mature horse offers several examples of conformation traits to seek out and is undoubtedly a very athletic mare with a very fancy way of going.  I wish her neck were set a good bit higher into her shoulder and this minor fault probably makes it more difficult to really keep her poll at the highest point when she is in a frame on the bit.  Thankfully, her lovely uphill build probably makes up for this.  Her slightly closed hip angle will enable her to really step under well but may make her prone to rails behind as it will slightly limit her ability to stretch rearward (over oxers, for example).  If you want to win the dressage, look for a horse just like this with a neck that is set slightly higher and we will all be chasing you after the sandbox phase is over.

1. Doin’ My Best

1. 2007 Gelding (Picture taken as a 6 y/o)

1. Werblin – What a Sweep, by End Sweep

1. Current Status: Off the track in February 2013

Top Five Most Notable Characteristics:

• KIND eye!  This horse’s expression just draws me in.  His nostrils and mouth are very proportionate to the rest of his head and his ears indicate a quiet attention that is very desirable, especially as an amateur mount.
• THIS is the kind of forward shoulder I look for.  Envision this horse bringing his knees up over a fence and just horse far UP that a shoulder like this will allow.  He better be careful or he’ll clobber his schnoz with those things.
• A bit back at the knee, to more or less the same degree as the mare above.  While this is NOT a dealbreaker for me and will certainly couple with this horse’s shoulder to really make him faaaancy on the flat, I am a little more concerned about this conformation trait with this specific horse because his pasterns are just a little bit longer than the mares and soft tissue soundness is definitely something to consider here if pointed at the very upper levels.
• Slightly OPEN hip, in contrast to the slightly closed hip of the mare above.  This will likely lend to this horse being quite scopey but having a little bit more trouble really stepping beneath himself.
• Every once in a while, I’m suckered in by markings.  Look at that blaze! Don’t forget that pretty sells.

This horse is an interesting combination of several very appealing traits.  However, when evaluating horses, especially in pictures, I use my thumb to cover up first the front end and then the hind end and then sort of reevaluate the pictures as a whole and this horse is a good example of when this technique can reveal some interesting observations.  When looking solely at the front end, you are compelled to start filling out your first horse trial entry and begin to wonder if a trip to Kentucky in April is in the stars.  When looking solely at the hind end, you can almost envision an inquisitive little baby TB face attached to it with all the want in the world that just needs some long and low hacks and lots of hill work.  Looking at them together, the hind end is just a little smaller and underdeveloped as compared to the front end.  FEAR NOT, though.  This will come.  This horse is a fantastic example of what may be available at just-off-the-track rehoming organizations vs what is available through CANTER or through trainers at the track.  I bet this guy does big things!

1. Mocha Michael
   

1. 2004 Gelding (Pictures above taken as late 3 y/o)
   

1. Mocha Express – Forest Prospector, by Green Forest
   

1. Photo Credit: Jade Anderson
   

1. Current Status: Successful One-Star Competitor

Top Five Most Notable Characteristics:

• Wide set, slightly angled eyes that suggest sensibility and intelligence and are matched by proportionate, attentive ears.
• Well-muscled, high-set neck that ties into the shoulder fairly well (higher than the first mare but could still be just a smidge higher if pointing to an UL dressage career)
• Significantly shorter cannon bones vs long bones which will foster long term soundness, a more expressive way of going, and a more powerful, quicker spring from the ground and snap over fences.
• Lovely symmetrical hip angle of approximately 75 degrees which should offer just the right balance of ability to engage and scope.
• Deep barrel with expansive heart girth, which is indicative of cardiovascular capacity

This horse presents a really pleasing picture over all, especially for a late 3 year old with a lot of growing and maturing to do.  All of the structural bare bones are there for the makings of an UL competitor.  This horse’s back is just a bit longer and his shoulder is just a bit straighter than ideal but neither should limit his abilities in any discipline.  Keep this horse in mind when you are looking at young horses with a lot of growing left to do and don’t judge a book by its cover upon first glance.