[taliacristianna]

Not sure if this should go here or the critiquing forum.

Looking at his lines and build, do you think he'd make a good sporthorse sire? He just recently started being used to breed for sporthorse prospects. None are under saddle yet. Not sure if any of his "race bred" foals are doing anything in the sporthorse world.

I'm not very familiar with TB bloodlines.

You can see his pedigree here:

http://www.medicineriverfarms.com/cory.html

He's 16.1

Also, these pics were taken early last spring when he was 24 years old. Please keep that in mind!



In one of the pics, his hind legs look quite questionable. In another, they look like they're okay. In one pic he looks over at the knee, and upright in the pasterns. In another he looks like he's probably fine at the knee, but the pasterns are cut off. Obviously these are not ideal pictures for a conformation critique, but they're all that I have. I have a friend looking to breed her TB mare, and live cover is her only option since she wants the JC papers. He's only about an hour from us so his location is perfect.

We would definitely go see him in person to be sure.

[JBandRio]

As I posted on the other board, these are really horrible pictures to properly judge him by. His feet are high heeled, leading to an upright pastern and straight shoulder. I wouldn't begin to offer a valid critique on him presented this way

[CowGirlUp1833]

Here is my thought on this: I would be hesitant to work with a breeder who doesn't even take the time to provide proper pictures of their stud. But thats just me....

[taliacristianna]

Originally Posted by CowGirlUp1833

Here is my thought on this: I would be hesitant to work with a breeder who doesn't even take the time to provide proper pictures of their stud. But thats just me....

I normally would feel the same way, but since I have a friend interested in him that wants JC papers live cover is her only option, and he is only an hour away. We will go see him before a decision is made.

My other thought is, he's 25 years old now. Who knows how much longer he will remain fertile. He only breeds a few outside mares a year. I'm sure both of these points play an important factor in whether or not his owner is going to invest in the expense of having professional photos taken.

I've heard that his bloodlines are brilliant, and many of the horses in his pedigree are known for their sporthorse progeny. I was really hoping to get more information on successful sporthorses with similar lines.

[CowGirlUp1833]

Originally Posted by taliacristianna

I normally would feel the same way, but since I have a friend interested in him that wants JC papers live cover is her only option, and he is only an hour away. We will go see him before a decision is made.

My other thought is, he's 25 years old now. Who knows how much longer he will remain fertile. His only breeds a few outside mares a year. I'm sure both of these points play an important factor in whether or not his owner is going to invest in the expense of having professional photos taken.

I've heard that his bloodlines are brilliant, and many of the horses in his pedigree are known for their sporthorse progeny. I was really hoping to get more information on successful sporthorses with similar lines.

It doesn't cost anything to have someone hold them for proper conformation shots though, that way my point

I was just looking at their site and I just didn't get a super reputable-professional feel from it, thats all.

[taliacristianna]

Originally Posted by CowGirlUp1833

It doesn't cost anything to have someone hold them for proper conformation shots though, that way my point

I was just looking at their site and I just didn't get a super reputable-professional feel from it, thats all.

True, but I've seen wamblood stallions w/$3K stud fees without proper confo shots on their web page... That normally is a huge pet peeve of mine, but I'm letting it slide this time only because I can visit him in person.

What part of the site struck you as being unprofessional? Not being snarky, just curious. Looks to me that most of their horses of riding age have or are working their way towards pretty respectable show careers.

[CowGirlUp1833]

Originally Posted by taliacristianna

What part of the site struck you as being unprofessional? Not being snarky, just curious. Looks to me that most of their horses of riding age have or are working their way towards pretty respectable show careers.

Well, first I'm picky because I'm a marketing person and do websites. LOL

2nd, I'm usually turned off by seemingly "puppy mill" type breeding operations. And, no, I didn't take the time to really dig into their site, but at first glance, that is how it came across...and we know 1st Impressions are important.

I'd much more likely want to work with a breeder who deals with one or 2 breeds as opposed to many; I always wonder how concerned with quality and furthering the breed when they have a 1/2 dozen different breeds and stallys. It seems like they just have a bunch of funky crosses and don't seem to have any specific goals to their breeding program...thats always a big turnoff to me...

But....
I agree, the fact that you can go SEE him, outweighs the fact that they don't have excellent confo shots.

[taliacristianna]

Originally Posted by CowGirlUp1833

Well, first I'm picky because I'm a marketing person and do websites. LOL

I KNEW you were going to say that! I am usually the same way when it comes to photographs... "Too much cyan. Density all wrong etc etc."

Originally Posted by CowGirlUp1833

2nd, I'm usually turned off by seemingly "puppy mill" type breeding operations. And, no, I didn't take the time to really dig into their site, but at first glance, that is how it came across...and we know 1st Impressions are important.

The only reason I did not feel that way is because of the resulting horse's successful show careers. It seems pretty evident that they are breeding for dressage and event prospects. Didn't seem like they were being bred just for the sake of being bred. Plus it seems that many of the mares that were bred are owned by people other then the stallion owner himself/herself. (Not to mention Lippizans are few and far between in this neck of the woods...)

Originally Posted by CowGirlUp1833

But.... I agree, the fact that you can go SEE him, outweighs the fact that they don't have excellent confo shots.

That will 100% be the key in the decision! Thanks for the input, I will let you know how things go if we end up making the trip. (I'll even bring my camera!) Hopefully we can get rid of the 4" of ice we've got on our roads right now...