[S.HorseWoman]

My knee-jerk was he does not look like a top-quality breeder. However, I took a closer look and took into account the fact that his current owner seems to be doing nothing with him (not even basic maintenance of his feet ) but letting him cover mares AND he is in winter fluffies. I would much prefer to see him at least trimmed, groomed, and with his feet done.

So I took a long HARD look and realized he really is not that bad looking, just in not so great condition. His head is nice, clean lines, and great expression, but not overly refined (it is refined for an Appy, but does not look too TB or Arabian, etc.). His neck has good length and looks to be set nicely; it would look MUCH better muscled I think. His shoulder looks decent, back a good length, nice depth of his girth, and his hindquarters look good. His angles are nice, his conformation looks sound, and his bone is decent. He does look a little calf-kneed, but that is probably mostly because his feet are hideous right now.

I think cleaned up, exercised and all that, he would be better than most Fewspots on the market. I have seen some that looked like mules with $1,000 fees just because they are 100% color producers. I think this guy, taking into account his show record, breeding record, pedigree, and conformation, could very well make a nice stud with a little time and effort.

[Kriss2004]

Thank you Cheeky Monkey, and S.Horse Woman. He is built heavy, more like a QH, and having his winter coat, un shot feet and he had a wet coat and he was DIRTY big time. Tonka as I call him, was basically tossed onto the back burner and the guy TB's were brought up.... he also has around 120 horses to look after. I think I am going to buy him and get him shaped up,then will post again later on him. Thank you all, its been helpful.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Cant wait to see whats underneath

[AdamW]

All I see on this board when people post stallions is "Geldling", "No cup of tea" etc. It's almost like it's popular to say "Gelding Material".

[Top Dun]

But in reality ALOT of stallions standing today ARE better off as geldings. I believe there ARE to many poor or lower quality stallions out there that should be geldings. It is "popular" to say that a stallion should be a gelding because it is also "popular" for people to keep lower quality stallions at stud because they have the Right color or the right bloodlines or just because.

Originally Posted by AdamW

All I see on this board when people post stallions is "Geldling", "No cup of tea" etc. It's almost like it's popular to say "Gelding Material".

[AdamW]

Originally Posted by Top Dun

But in reality ALOT of stallions standing today ARE better off as geldings. I believe there ARE to many poor or lower quality stallions out there that should be geldings. It is "popular" to say that a stallion should be a gelding because it is also "popular" for people to keep lower quality stallions at stud because they have the Right color or the right bloodlines or just because.

Honestly, when people post pictures of stallions they say nothing but "Not my cup of tea" and give no explaination at all! And then when someone sees that post they jump on the band wagon. It's getting ridiculous!

But, I do see where you are coming from and there a few exceptions of users.

[Super_Trooper]

Well AdamW, its their opinion, just like it's your opinion and there is nothing wrong with that. If someone asks, they get answers.

Something that is nice to one person, isnt breeding quality to the next!

[Top Dun]

Sorry, but "Not My Cup of Tea" is in reality quite an explaination. Some people just don't like a certian type or breed of horse. It really does not need further explaination. I for one am not particular to certian breds or types of horses like Drafts and warmbloods. Although I do admire the photos of certian horses I don't want to own or breed any of them. They are "not my cup of tea" so to speak. And to some posters, an appaloosa, or a QH might not be some one else's "Cup of tea". Additionally EVERYONE has their own opinions about what is Quality in a horse and what is not. A person interested in warmbloods for example may thing that an appaloosa stallions is not the right quality because it does not meet the same standards as the warmblood that that person raises. You have to take all that into consideration when people from all over the world post. Basically you have to take ALL oppinions with a grain of salt and sift out for yourself what they mean. You shouldn't take it personally as it appears that the original poster has read and evaluated all the statements from all the participants and has taken their judgements into account without being personally offended by their comments.

Originally Posted by AdamW

Honestly, when people post pictures of stallions they say nothing but "Not my cup of tea" and give no explaination at all! And then when someone sees that post they jump on the band wagon. It's getting ridiculous!

[S.HorseWoman]

Originally Posted by AdamW

Honestly, when people post pictures of stallions they say nothing but "Not my cup of tea" and give no explaination at all! And then when someone sees that post they jump on the band wagon. It's getting ridiculous!

But, I do see where you are coming from and there a few exceptions of users.

I understand exactly what you are saying, AdamW. It frustrates me as well when no real explanation or reason is given for why people just instantly decree a stallion "gelding material". I want to know WHY because that is the way I am; I want to know if you think the stallion's head is too plain or his neck is too short or his knees are bad or whatever. I just want to know more so I have a better chance of learning.

I try hard not to do that; you can look back on my past posts and see that I almost always (if not every time) give a reason as to why I judge a horse a certain way. And yes, I don't really like the "not my cup of tea" answer because basic good conformation is universal, at least to me. I don't know any breed where straight shoulders, upright pasterns, or shallow hips are a good thing.

For the stallion in question, Appaloosas are not my cup of tea. I just don't really care much for them; nothing against them, I know a lot are good horses, but the breed just really does not appeal to me in the same way others do. That was probably part of the knee-jerk reaction I mentioned above. But then I did as I said, I stopped and REALLY looked at him. And I mean looked; I spent a good 30 minutes just studying carefully and analyzing him before posting because I wanted to be fair and honest. After doing so, I found that he really has good potential as a herd sire; and I think that will show a lot more when he is cleaned up, had a hoof trim, and gotten a little muscle. I think with that small amount of work, he is going to turn into a very nice-looking stallion.

I do think part of people's quick reactions is half the time people want to see one of two types of pictures. Either the stallion majestically galloping across the picture, glowing and mane and tail flying (popular in Friesian and Arabian ads ). Or they want to see him glossed up and shiny while standing against a fake background (like many stock breeds). Now there is nothing wrong with either forms of advertising, but I think sometimes people are so used to seeing those pictures that they don't always take a close look at a stallion in a more relaxed setting (such as pictures by the owner or in the pasture, etc.). And before anyone jumps me, this is NOT directed at anyone in particular; just a general observation that I have found myself guilty of before and am working on fixing.

[Kriss2004]

Originally Posted by S.HorseWoman

For the stallion in question, Appaloosas are not my cup of tea. I just don't really care much for them; nothing against them, I know a lot are good horses, but the breed just really does not appeal to me in the same way others do. That was probably part of the knee-jerk reaction I mentioned above. But then I did as I said, I stopped and REALLY looked at him. And I mean looked; I spent a good 30 minutes just studying carefully and analyzing him before posting because I wanted to be fair and honest. After doing so, I found that he really has good potential as a herd sire; and I think that will show a lot more when he is cleaned up, had a hoof trim, and gotten a little muscle. I think with that small amount of work, he is going to turn into a very nice-looking stallion.

I do think part of people's quick reactions is half the time people want to see one of two types of pictures. Either the stallion majestically galloping across the picture, glowing and mane and tail flying (popular in Friesian and Arabian ads ). Or they want to see him glossed up and shiny while standing against a fake background (like many stock breeds).

I sure feel you hit that nail on the head. I tried to let people in the first post know he has NOT DONE ANYTHING and that he was unfit. Alot of people dont take the time to look at the horses that are not kept up so well. Anyhow, again I want to thank everyone again for your opinions.