Tried to get some good pics of Digger a couple days ago.  Let me know what you guys think, as I'm horribly biased!!  Let me know what you think of the pictures too, like if you think I need better ones or if they are good, whatever.  Thanks!  http://forum.equisearch.com/photos/focuscalmpatience/images/354255/original.aspx

He's very nicely balanced over all...nice!!!  The only I see is he has a bit of a thick throat latch and a tad straight behind.   

 He's a good looking guy! I don't feel confident enough to say anything specific about his conformation but I do like what I see.

 

If you ever want to kick Digger out of your barn you can always send him to me

Thanks guys!  He's a really wonderful horse.  I want to get him up to a few pre novice events this fall.  He's got the best attitude of any horse I have ever encountered, he just loves to work, he gives 110% to everything we do.  

i like the dark splash on his flank.  he's very nice looking. 

He's quite the handsome fellow! I'm no confo expert, but I think he looks solid and balanced.

Looking at both pictures - he looks better under saddle than in-hand - I'm not sure what you want to do with him but he has a very kind eye and a fair length of rein, he is thick through the gullett which adds a touch of coarseness to him - he looks loose in the coupling at the loins and in the in-hand picture actully looks slightly roached in the back - his shoulder also looks a lot straighter, he is very long hip to hock - under saddle his shoulder doesnt look that bad but he is weak behind and needs plenty of work to build that end up. 

overall he looks a nice kind pony that you could take anywhere and he would'nt stress out.

Thanks! Yeah I don't know why but he looks like a different horse in each picture.  I know we need to do a LOT to strengthen his rear end, we are definitely working on it!  I feel like he could use a little more weight on him, he was sooooo thin when I first got him, he looked terrible. I'll try and find a "before" picture to show you guys.

This photo was actually after I had been trying to put weight on him for about 6 months and started working him consistently

FCP, I have put quite a bit of good solid weight on Salem in two months with Triple Crown Senior and alfalfa pellets (plus all of the hay he will eat!). I think Digger is looking really good and handsome, but if you think he needs some weight you might want to try something like that.

I think you have done really well to get him looking the way he does - now you just need to finnish him off tone wise - building up and maintaining the top line and rear end is never ending - what do you plan on doing with him?

Ideally I would like to event him for 5 or so years and then retire to just dressage when he turns 20.  I want to get solid Novice eventing, and my dressage goal is 2nd level.  Unfortunately, I may have to sell him, I have him advertised a couple places but I really just don't know if I could do it, I love him so much and he is such a good boy, I really don't know that I would ever find another horse I bond with as well...  It baffles me how long it is taking to get him muscled up!  I see pictures of other people working their horses on here (*cough* Solo *cough*) and wonder if Digger will EVER get that fit!

Its simple to get them fit and muscled up it just takes committment - committment to work them, feed them and compete - fitness comes quickly with all those added together - I have found this year that I havenet been able to give my comp horse the time he needs so we dont compete - even though he is stabled and fed twice a day his fitness has dropped off and his topline is not as strong as I would like - I have just started some consistent work with him again and the second half of the year we will finnish with some comps - it all takes time and committment

I get him worked 4x a week.  Sometimes 5, sometimes 3, but generally 4.  I am upping the amount of time and difficulty of activities.  We are starting to work on a 1st level frame.  I had never advanced past training level before, so I had him all nice and soft and low and moving out, but now I am beginning to bring him up and get him really moving off of his haunches.  Its so funny, for years my trainer has been yelling at me to get the horse more "together" and "compact" and I was always like, "how the heck do I do that?!" I started riding with a teenager who is moving her mare up to 2nd level and she was just like, "yeah, that looks good, now sit up a little straighter, shorten yourreins, lift your hands a little, give him a little leg, there you go!" And it clicked. ; )