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3 year old OTTB gelding

Last post 11-25-2009 4:29 PM by Cotoncandie. 10 replies.
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  • 09-20-2009 1:52 PM

    3 year old OTTB gelding

    My other critique thread is getting quite long so I decided to start posting individual threads on prospects.

    Here is a 3 year old OTTB, just over 16 hands.  He apparently raced three times and finished dead last twice, and second to last the other time.  The owners feel he just isn't racing and are looking for a good home that will take him in another direction.  

    I only have one photo (sorry, it's not a very good confirmation pic, but hopefully you guys can at least tell something from it).


  • 09-20-2009 6:18 PM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

     That's a hard photo to judge.  My first impression is that I don't like him because his front and back end look like two entirely different horses.  But I can't see his pasterns and feet, so I'm missing that information.  There is something that's bugging me through the attachment at his hip and loin, almost like his back end is sagging?  I kind of like his front end, some nice openness in his shoulder and forearm angle.



    Solaris -- 16 hh Appendix Quarter Horse = MY DREAM COME TRUE!
    Wander With Wild Things
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  • 09-20-2009 8:31 PM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

    I very much appreciate your input.  I thought there was something a bit "off" about him, myself... but couldn't even begin to pinpoint it.  Saying that the "front and back end look like two entirely different horses" is a very accurate statement, IMO.  

    It's very humbling to me to realize I have 20 years experience in horses and know practically nothing about confirmation. ;-)

    This was one of the most promising responses I got from my CL ad.  The response came from a race TB breeder and stock agent... stating that one of their clients is looking for a new home (sounds like they'll be picky about where the horse goes, which I like) for this boy due to his lack of interest in racing.  Seems like he probably was well taken care of.  He's also sired by With Approval, which is pretty cool. :-)  I may go take a look at him (and a number of other OTTB leads I have) in an upcoming weekend.  It's about a 3.5 hour drive to get to where most of them are located.

    Still... since they're going to be picky about where he goes, he isn't exactly in as bad of a position as most horses that come off the track.  
  • 09-21-2009 6:22 AM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

    Well, I'm certainly not very good at judging conformation,  but it looks to me like he might be resting/slouching/tilted on that leg, which is making him look like he's got something funky going on with his hip. I've seen that pose from my own horse.

    Will they let you take your own conformation pics when you go look at him? Do you have the capability to video him? It would be interesting to see how he moves.

  • 09-21-2009 6:39 AM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

    I think he's cute. A bit of a long back, but he is extremely muscular, which may account for some of the previous comments. You would have to get a vet exam and try him out, but if he is well mannered, healthy and sound and you love him there is nothing in that picture that should deter you. He certainly looks well cared for, which can go a loooong way.

  • 11-05-2009 7:53 PM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

    It would depend on what you want to do with him, and what his lower legs look like. I have a tb, (not off the track) who has the same topline and it is harder to work with but he can engage and do all the stuff he needs to. Some dressage training would develope his underline, but were you looking for a dressage prospect?

  • 11-16-2009 1:02 PM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

     I kind of like him...  His build is normal looking for a horse that is still in track shape.  They develop large hind quarters (the engine!) and their shoulders stay slimmer in comparison.  I like that he looks to be built a little uphill which would give him good power for jumping, etc.  he has a nicely shaped rump and his tail sets in low and round.  He has a nice expression.  If he has a good temperament I would say he would make a very nice project horse or prospect.

  • 11-16-2009 7:29 PM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

    I like him! Great shoulder and there's something about the look in his eye... quiet confidence maybe?

    When I got my OTTB, he was 7 and had been off the track for a year or so. He also looked like 2 different horses stuck together. While my Bax is very short backed he had that same long and lean look to him with no muscling to his butt and along the top line. After a few months of bitting rigs and regular work, he muscled up really well and looked totally different. I agree, if you love him and he vets clean, why not?

  • 11-20-2009 8:40 PM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

    I agree, Tonic also looked funky when I first got her off the track, plus being only three they are still in that awkward stage. I think he looks beautiful, but being a chestnut TB I'm completly biased.... now I want him!

    To each their own... but to me my horse!
  • 11-25-2009 12:42 PM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

    He looks great!  Like you said, it's not a very good conformation shot, and I can't quite see his legs, but here's what I think of him.

    He has a nice, long neck, which is good for his breed.  His shoulder slopes very nicely.  His back looks a tad weak, as there's a good sized dip directly behind his withers and it's a little long (which most Thoroughbreds have long backs) but that shouldn't be too much of a problem.  It looks like he might be cocking a hind leg.  If he isn't, he is very downhill as far as his withers to the top of his croup.  This problem might straighten itself out if he is cocking a hind leg, and if he were to "uncock" it.  His croup is nice, long, and sloping.  He looks like he has a good head, with great width between the eyes, and, although it's hard to tell from this shot, his eye looks soft.  I can't really tell from the shot, but his hind leg looks a little bit too straight.

    Overall, I'd say he looks pretty nice!

    "Make the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy" ~Clinton Anderson
  • 11-25-2009 4:29 PM In reply to

    Re: 3 year old OTTB gelding

    I'm not hating this little guy. I would've loved a full square picture, with the legs not cut off, but hey.

    I'd go take a look at him if he's not too far away, take some videos and pictures while you're there. He does look a bit awkward, but it might just be because he's young. He's definitely got some intelligence in that head. 

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