Second Chance Horse Rescue Discussion Boards

robbin'charisma · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 156 Location: Western Australia

Well, I'm a beginner (very) with conformation. But I was wondering what everyone thinks of my lil ones conformation?
Here's Fanta, Mini pony. 2 years old in 2 weeks! (not sure if conformation can change with young growing ponies?
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The photo's aren't the best Confused

Kimaley · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 423 Location: Roleystone

Aww too cute!

The first thing I notice is his neck ties in very low to his chest. He also looks downhill but being a 2yo is probably going through a growth spurt, they usually go bum high so wouldn't be too worried about that Smile

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robbin'charisma · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 156 Location: Western Australia

Will lunging him in side reins help his neck?
I lunge him every day (I don't push him because he is young) Or is it something that is here to stay-so to speak Laughing

ozbatt · Second Chance Mod Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 713

If he was mine, I wouldn't be using side reins on him at all. The low set at the base of his neck is the way he's made.

robbin'charisma · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 156 Location: Western Australia

Ok, no side reins for him Very Happy

SecondChance · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:05 pm Post subject:

If it were me I wouldn't lunge him every day, perhaps once a fortnight. He's very very young and still growing. Lunging is very hard work for a horse or pony and at this age you don't want them working hard.

Conformationally he looks calf-kneed and also appears to have sickle hocks. These won't change with age/growth but you wouldn't want to breed from him as he would pass them on.

Calf knees in a big horse would be a major issue as the knees wouldn't cope with hard work, he'd be predisposed to lameness with them. In a little one it isn't as much of a problem (just a little unsightly) as they wouldn't be working that hard.
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Sugar's Mum · Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 82 Location: Busselton

agree about the calf knees adn sickle hocks. I would be interested to see if a good hoof trim would make a difference. I know that i can change the way my girls feet place if I change the way I trim them.

Muso · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 630

Love the name, lol!

To me he looks base narrow in front & back. With work, it can place extra pressure on the lower limb joints, and I *think* it predisposes them to paddle? Someone correct me if I have that wrong Smile

I really like his length of rein, and I agree that his down hill look is in leiu of further development.
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robbin'charisma · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 156 Location: Western Australia

SecondChance --

I find if I don't lunge him regularly he misbehaves when I handle him. Can I steal some of your knowledge into what you would do to keep him thinking without lunging him?
Even being unsightly it is still a fault, so no breeding for him. There are way, way to many mini's shetlands out there with faults that are reproducing.

Muso--

Thankyou, his breeder named him and it suited him too much to change.
I might google abit about the paddle, sounds scarey.
Does length of rein mean long neck? As I said I am very new to conformation Laughing

SecondChance · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject:

Instead of lunging teach him obstacle course stuff. Over tarps, around cones, in and out of bending poles and over poles on the ground. Teach him to move his quarters over either way, his forehand over either way. Teach him to back up and to come to you. Teach him to come to you in a large space (start off using a long lunge rein until he comes to you as soon as you do the cue) and take him for lots of walks out and about to let him get used to lots of different things.

And then once you have all these things down pat, do them at trot on occasion! Then do them at liberty! There are LOADS of games you can do with him. Teach him to pick something up off the ground and teach him to play football. As long as you keep him thinking you'll be right.

As he gets older you can teach him to longrein and then you can do dressage-in-hand... not much use for it in Aus as its not a competitive sport here but its something that will keep his little mind busy.
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robbin'charisma · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 156 Location: Western Australia

Sounds easy enough. I have been 'bomb proofing' him (so to speak) so he gets lots of hands on attention (which I think is very important for a young horse)....So instead of physical exercise, do more mental exercise?

SecondChance · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:47 am Post subject:

Yep pretty much Smile

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robbin'charisma · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 156 Location: Western Australia

I think we could manage that, Very Happy