Opinions on 2 Mares

[morgieporgie]

I need an honest opinion on two mares. I've posted previously when I was looking at two other mares. The last one I was looking at I was all set to buy, but then the owner changed the price and... it fell through. I was given one of the mares below shortly after that

Comments

[lurath]

Honestly, neither is what I would call breeding quality.
#1 has a long back and also appears to be more straight behind.
#2 has a good humerus for jumping and speed, but does appear to be back at the knee. which is VERY bad for jumping. For a 2 year old she is extremely butt-high, but one can hope that will change.
Both have poor necks and are wasp-waisted. Neither of them have good feet, though just from the pictures #2 appears better.
Honestly? Go for whichever has the better brain for jumping, and keep after either to prevent lameness because either one has points that will likely cause them issues in the future. I'd get #2 just going of the pictures, but I would not use her for jumping.

Feel free to check out eq_conformation for more info yourself - if you know what you are looking for doing a critique on the ACTUAL horse is always better! Or PM me if you want super-detailed critique (as seen in that community).

[greyskyridge]

I agree that neither appears to be breeding quality.

As for between the two, which would make the better sport horse?
I would go for #1.

[lurath]

Ehhh, do I HAVE to choose? :P I'd say if #2 is truly back at the knee (wanting to inspect the real horse here) then #1 is less likely to break down. I like that #2 has a better back though...

[morgieporgie]

I HATE #1's back. Maybe it'll look better with more muscling in her hind end, but I just hate it. I never noticed that #2 is back at the knee. She is extremely butt high, last time she was sticked (a few months ago) she was 16 at her withers and 16.1 at her butt. But then she grew into her butt... and now it's surpassed her again. I know it's hard to do a critique of a filly that just turned 2, especially when she's still growing! I wish I had a head on shot of her last year and one of her now. She's grown into herself a lot.

The reason I wanted this critique (which has been very helpful!) was because where I'm coming from is based solely on behavior. *sigh* I really do need to post the WHOLE story. But this has really been food for thought! Thanks!

[lurath]

#2 does not appear extremely back at the knee but it is one of those faults that will do her no good at all for any kind of serious jumping. She does have better conformation overall though - it all depends on what EXACTLY you are going to do. If you are looking for an eventer, though, even for lower levels, you can probably find a MUCH better looking horse (for cheap or free!) if you look around. For instance, I was just offered a sound and competitive WB mare who loves to jump. She was being sold for $25k a year and a half ago, and now the owner is basically letting her go for free to a good home.

[morgieporgie]

Exactly? Well, I love trails, and I love going cross country. However, due to some previous falls, I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to jumping. That's why I said training level, though anything over 2'6" would probably make me have an anxiety attack. So exactly? I'm looking for something level headed and quiet-ish, that could do dressage and trails, and pop over the occasional fallen log without an issue.

I would love to build my confidence up over jumps again, but I'm thinking I'll take some lessons again (you're never too experienced for lessons!). Buuuut... that brings me to my other dilemma. I was in a car accident in September and I still have a broken ankle that WILL NOT HEAL. So I can't ride until I am fully recovered. Mare #1 needs work EVERY DAY. She is not level headed, but I have a HUGE soft spot for her. Mare #2 can be thrown out for another year and have only ground work until she's started, which is what I would do. She wouldn't be jumping for at least 3 more years (I start them sloooooow). So. That's a

[thepartyline]

I REALLY do not like #1's hind end at all for some reason. Or maybe it's a combo of the long back and funky hind end that throw me all off-kilter. But I don't like it!

then again, I don't like mare #2's front end.

HMM.

OP, personally I'd pass on both of these. I'm sure there are mares more suited to your desires.

[significance_0]

I agree with you. Neither are all that special or spectacular looking. I think both of them are put together funny.

[morgieporgie]

I agree 100% on #1's hind end. And her back. I honestly hadn't noticed #2's front, but now I do. I feel like she's hard to get a good perspective of though (at least, for me), because she's growing still.

I would pass... except I own #1. Like I told lurath, I won't be breeding for a long while, and I'd really like to get a WB mare on a broodmare lease when that time comes. As for riding... personality wise #2 fits my bill better, which is why I wanted a confo critique of both (and now have to think about it). Thanks!

[morgieporgie]

Holy wow... that comm is awesome! How did I not know it existed?! I'm going to try to get some better pictures today, because conveniently both mares are at my barn. I probably will be PMing you though! I do actually own #1, and though there is a good possibility she is going to be rehomed, I'd love a detailed critique of her confo (though maybe when she's cleaner, eh?).
Oh, and breeding is a LONG way off for me. I wanted to keep my options open, but ideally I'd get a warmblood mare on a broodmare lease at that time.

[lurath]

I don't advertise much :P Maybe I should more since I would LOVE to have other people (besides me!) post.

[morgieporgie]

I'll give it a shot! Probably not until I come back from the barn tonight, but that's definitely something I would be into. I'll post, but I don't know if I can go as in depth as you do!