Conformation of my horse (: pictures?

Question

this is my 24 year old palomino quarter horse. She got diagnosed with cushings a couple of years ago but, is doing fantastic. I know I only have one good picture but if you could tell me anything about her whats good what not what you think.

Also I know that the strap in the front of a saddle is a girth but what is the one is the back holding down the saddle called?

http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj276/jasminex33333/?action=view&current=Missy.jpg

http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj276/jasminex33333/?action=view&current=Pictures016.jpg

Answer 1

Hello,

She is a cute mare...  I think she is too old for a new career, if that is what you are asking?  Maybe is would make a good kids horse, or first time riders horse?  

The rear strap is a flank strap, and rear cinch....

Your mare is lucky to have you and take care of her.....

Answer 2

For 24 years old, she is doing fine! Some of the horses at my stable are that old, and this is great!

Ummm...

For the conformation, every horse has its goods, and its bads.

Goods:

Great Head formation, and nice ears

Nice neck! It looks good!

Legs are in good shape as well. Love the back ones.

Bads:

LONG, straight back! Not the best back.Its not unhealthy, just natural for her.

Her back quarters are flat, that goes along with the straight back, but that was the only thing I really noticed.

She is really pretty! Lookin' Good!

Answer 3

At 24 she looks every day of it.  (just as one of mine does....) And in winter coat, she has lots of hair.... and cushings only adds to that. Likely her hair coat is long is summer too.

Conformation classes are for younger animals, so this one would never do well in a conformation class.  Without seeing how she was in her youth, she is short in the croup.  I can't judge her legs... so I can't tell if she turns out or in in the front, nor if she is cow hocked or bowed in back.

What all of us forget is aging is the common bane of us all, and we all slide south as we age.   She does not come close to what is called the breed standard for a quarterhorse, so as a conformation  or breeding animals she isn't valuable.  I'm hoping you love her, take care of her, and she's your buddy.  And in the end, isn't that the only thing that  is important?

Answer 4

i dont really know what cushings is for sure,but i wanted to practice what i read/learned about yesterday, so i'm going to guess my best and see if i'm anywhere close to right... thanks for the question and pics.

pasterns are really short and at a strieghter(sp), that's the only thing i can tell about the legs for sure.

the face seems shorter... but i dont think that's a problem, but the eyes to me are really nice. the nares seems a good sizes (nose) for breathing/o2 flow. (i find it instersting horses cant breath thru their mouths, just the nares).

the shoulder looks like it has a good angle,

the croup ( i think thats the area i want to say) look short, hind quarters in general seem short, and have an angle that to me that looks good, but i'm still not sure if i'm right bout it being good or not.

high withers, in this case also leads to hollow back, also called swayback, but in this case i think it's more hollow back because the rest of the back looks flat and not very swayed so much.

if the horse is on level ground in the second pic then his withers are higher then his croup and he's up hill (i think that's the right term).

his front legs sit back alittle further and makes his chest appear to be alittle bulky, aka pigeon-breasted (i think of a deer when i see this).

i do like the neck alot, just becaue to me i think it's really good example of a neck.

those are my guesses, thanks, if you are anyone else can tell me if i'm anywhere close that'd be nice, thanks again for the pratice. again, people can thumbs down me b/c mine are just educated guesses

Answer 5

jug head, short neck, long back, mischievious eye.  Not halter material, but if you enjoy her, who cares what we think.

back strap or bucking strap prevents the cantle from flapping about

Answer 6

Not a perfect looker, but for 24 years she doing fantastic!

especially for a mare, her back is not even swayed and most mares are developing a sway-back before they hit 20!

she looks to be in good health, although she looks to have quite a narrow chest, but this may also be due to age!

but overall keep up the good work because considering the cushings and the age this mare looks half that age :D

Answer 7

she conformation seems fine. from the first picture, it looks like she spine is sticking up a bit. if that's true then she could stand to gain a little weight.

it is called a rear cinch. in western, the front one is called a cinch. girth is for english. thought i'd just let you know.