[Peach]

Hi all, I would like you to critique Shadow for me. Here is some background:

I bought Shadow, an Arabian gelding, in January after he had sat out in a pasture for five years doing nothing. I've had to re-teach him everything from basic ground manners up. He's an ex-hunter jumper, but isn't quite as good at it as I hoped he'd be (probably due to his long absence from the schooling and show ring). We've been doing it alone, but I've just hired a dressage trainer to help us out. After we get some flat-work out of the way (and work on getting his head down ), we're going to continue our hunter work.

Oh, and please forgive his weight in the confo pictures- the heat has gotten to him this summer and it's been hard to keep the weight on, we have switched his feed since these pictures were taken and he's improved a lot. We are also moving him to a barn with much more grass and pasture area, which should improve him 100%. He is also lacking a lot of muscle, so any muscle-building excersizes you can suggests along with critiques would be great! We are currently doing a lot of trail riding and hill work to work on that rump. Sorry for the rant, here are the pictures now.

(Please ignor my position in most of these, I was consentrating more on my horse that I was myself)





(He has a habit of taking off too close to the jump )

[southern_horse]

i am not that good at criticing horses yet..but he looks really cute and seems to be a decent jumper to me- although he jumps those small jumps hugee!

[Peach]

Yes, it's because he takes off too close to the jumps- he has to jump bigger to clear them. I've been working with him on it though, useing poles in front of the jumps to help him with distance.

[HorseObsession]

You are 100% right about the jumps. As far as your flat goes, pick you hands up off the neck, thumbs on top. In the jumping, make shure that you dont allow your leg to slip back. The release looks good, dont grip with your knees, which isnt bad, but just barley there.

He has very nice confo. I really dont have any gripes there.

[Peach]

Ok, thanks. Oh, and can anyone make one of those photoshop pics for me? I wasn't sure where to post and ask, so I thought I'd just ask here while I had it.

[SaddleUp158]

He is adorable! You might try feeding him a senior feed since he is hard to keep weight on. We feed that to our hot horses to keep weight on and to not give them extra energy that sweet feed gives them.

[Peach]

Thanks, I've been thinking about trying it. Anyone else?

[skysthelimit]

Triple Crown Senior is an excellent choice. Good brand made with beet pulp, it's what we have our 31 y/o tb mare on and she's still kicking....kinda. I am in LOVE with his head and his neck!!!!! He is a pretty baby. His confo looks decent, and his weight doesn't really look horrible- I say he needs muscle over fat, here. He seems to be built uphill, and he doesn't look as frail or dainty as some arabs I'v eseen, which is nice. As for building that butt- I think hill work and getting him off the forehand and reaching under with his hind end should help. But I'm no expert. lol. On the flat it looks to me like your heel is a little behind you. I know you said not to critique your seat- but I can't help myself. good luck!~brit

[wrightdanes]

Gorgeous. I love this little guys conformation (he looks a little toed out in back), but honestly dont think he'll make it in the hunter classes. He has sloppy knees and takes off too close. Why the standing martingale? You need to flip his mane to the other side. His attitude is all arab. I'd buy him from you from endurance.