Is he good for anything?

[Tremor]

I'm sorry. I feel so whiny, but I clipped my yearling gelding this weekend. It was AMAZING out. Low 80's. Its gonna get cold, so we'll be blanketing him and his siblings. No worries.

Well, I knew that he wasn't the best conformed foal ever. I've known so since he was a couple weeks old. I've honestly despised the way he looks since July. I feel horrible for it, but he's just so ugly! Two of his other siblings looked GREAT and well, Pete is just ugly. I mean, he has a great personality and lovely movement, otherwise.

But, do you think at this young age that he would be able to do anything soundly as an adult? (ie. Driving)

(NOTE: I wormed him tonight because he looked wormy to me...)

I'm sorry for being so whiny. I'm just so discouraged when I shouldn't be. I would really like to have just ONE horse to 4-H/FFA. For the past two/three years I've switched horses out. Pete was my second foal I showed. The year before I showed a colt named Tremor. I don't want to keep switching foals! I would like to stick with one horse....

Thanks for putting up with me,

Julia

EDIT: You can critique the crap out of him. I am beyond caring at the moment. What you say is probably what I'm thinking at the moment.

 

[ohmt]

Hi Julia! What is his personality like? He looks like a sweetheart. I don't know about driving because I don't drive so hopefully someone will chime in on that one. I think driving is mostly about personality and what the horse is willing to do/learn though, am I right? He has nice long, straight legs which I like and a short bod. His hip is weak and I don't know how much that will change due to his conformation. Honestly, he's not THAT bad-I've seen worse. I think you should assess his personality and try some training and see how he does and go from there. There are many things you could do with him that don't require him to be perfectly conformed. Obstacle, jumping, driving, etc. Don't be discouraged-he could be your ugly duckling just waiting for you to turn him into a blue ribbon show horse. Just a bit of training needed

My dad always told me it doesn't matter how many good genes you got or how much talent you have, it's the work and drive to learn and better yourself every day that matters. I think that very much applies to horses as well.

 

[kaykay]

Every horse has a job when they are old enough. Its up to us or their owner to figure out what it is. Never discount the importantce of a loving pet as many people treasure these horses.

I agree though that if you want to show this probably isnt a great prospect. He has many conformation flaws. Some might get better as he matures and some will not.

His neck is probably going to hold him back from being a great driving prospect. He will be able to drive, but will he do it well? Hmm probably not? But again hes young.

I think I would also up his feed (slowly of course) as he looks like he may need more protein.

The thing is as you learn more and develop a better "eye for horses" you start to see the differences and I think that is where you are at.

Also babies are always a gamble. Some are more of a gamble than others. Some may have outstanding siblings but cant live up to them.

Have you thought about buying a show quality gelding? I know myself and many other farms really give out deals on show geldings so you can get a great horse to get started with for not a huge amount of money.

Just food for thought!

 

[Kawgirl]

Aww, don't be so hard on the little guy!

I think he is cute! And, he's got a lot of growing to do! Even if he doesn't turn out to be a "swan" he could still be a nice driver if he has the right attitude. But, if you're not willing to take the chance, you can always send him to live with me!

 

[ErikaS.]

Well, he's a pretty color.

As far as I know, many horses go through the "yearling uglies". I personally don't see why you couldn't drive him. My horse is over on the knees, toes out in the back, and is very "well fed". I'm ground driving him (so far). Don't despair!

 

[midnight star stables]

First off,

and a big hug!

I can understand your frustration and despair. I know you don't mean anything negative towards Pete, nor let him go unloved. Pete is most certainly "good for something", just simply not halter.

He will still be able to jump, and do showmanship and obstacle. He can be good for lots of stuff out side the ring too.

Gelding are hidden gems, and Kay is right in saying that there are many options for you if you do choose to shop around. There are some great farms near you with awesome deals on geldings!

So... Chin up! Whether with Pete or another, you will do great in 4H

 

[Minimor]

Well, I don't know if I'd really call him ugly; he's not real pretty but that doesn't make him ugly though! I can see that if you were wanting him to be a show horse he would be disappointing at the moment, but there's no reason at all that he can't be good for something. If he's got a good personality and is good moving, then there's no reason at all that he can't have potential as a driving horse.

His neck may not be set on just right to let him really set up in the bridle the way a show ring driving horse is expected to, but that doesn't mean that he can't be a great going down the road driving horse--you don't need a head set on a horse when you're just going down the road having fun--you can let him stretch out and go in a frame that is comfortable to him. There's no reason he couldn't do obstacle driving either--until you try you don't know what talent he has for that.

 

[Cavallini Farms]

He's cute, and I've been fooled before by awkward yearlings who evolve into beautiful two year olds!

 

[targetsmom]

Of course your boy is good for something - it is just up to you (maybe with help from your forum friends) to figure out what that role is! It sounds to me like you are disappointed that he didn't look better under all his winter hair, but he is still the same horse that he was before he was clipped. He is a growing boy and he may change again, but I would say it is unlikely that he would turn into a top halter horse. But no horse is perfect and very few horses of ANY size can win consistently at halter.

What I like about your boy is his nice straight legs, which should serve him well over the long term. His topline would look better if you gave him a little scratch (takes awhile to find the right spot) over the highest point on his butt so that he dropped it. Feed and training could also help his neck some. My suggestion would be to show him in showmanship and any other classes you can just to get experience. For showmanship, conformation doesn't count at all, but you must show him with pride as if telling the judge that "my horse is the best one in the class". It is a great class for gaining show ring experience! Set yourself some reasonable goals such as doing a pattern correctly and having fun.

And there are other things you can do without showing. I would love to see more people taking their minis to nursing homes or veterans hospitals and in general using them for public relations and to cheer people up. Your boy could certainly do that. We have taken ours places where we set up a portable stall and people can come over and pet them. (Our insurance covers us).

Good luck with him!

 

[champsmom]

The perfect job for Pete? Some little girls best friend!

 

[Reble]

Boys can look funny at certain stages in their life.

We bred Paso Finos, and our stallion at three had him up for sale, did not sell, kept him and he grew and grew and grew, most Paso's are small! well this guy ended up 15.3 hands and filled out nicely, and decided to geld, well a guy that seen him when he was a stallion could not believe his eyes, and was so upset he was gelded. Had he known how he would of matured would have bought him back than, just took him longer being he was still growing to turn from an ugly to a nice looking boy.

Lot of good suggestions and give him time to grow into himself.

 

[Taylor Richelle]

Don't be too hard on your boy! He's adorable! No he may not be right for halter but as everyone else said he would be perfect for performance classes and driving. Just learn off of him and then keep searching for the perfect gelding. I am also new to showing and bought a nice gelding last spring and showed twice last year and did well for my first time. Also if you decided to sell him as someone pointed out he would be a great best friend for a child. He looks very sweet

 

[Jill]

Oh, they go through stages and I would bet that EVERY breeder here has looked at some of her/his own horses and had the feelings you've just expressed.

Many horses do go through an ugly stage. That may be part of what your eyes are telling you.

Plus, there are TONS and TONS of things minis can do, and do well, even if they are not going to be your next halter champion... Even if it turns out that a mini is destined to be "just" a pet -- is there any animal you LOVE more than a pet? Not for me there's not. If I had to be a horse, I'd love to be one that was "just a pet".

Best of luck to you with your boy, and also a pat on the back for being able to take a step back and look objectively at the physical attributes of your horse. Some people never learn to do this.

 

[Sue_C.]

If it makes you feel any better, some of my very best horses were homely as heck when they were youngsters. It is not uncommon. I have had a couple that I swear I wanted to hide "out back" when anyone came to the farm...that was how "ugly" they were.

I recall reading somewhere that Buckeroo was so gangly as a yearling that he wasn't thought much of either...so there is hope. (And I have seen his weaner/yearling pics, and have to agree.)

Give him time, good feed, and lots of luvins...and he will flourish. Not every horse is a champion halter horse anyways...and to tell you the honest truth, IMO, a halter ribbon means very little compared to a performance ribbon. Lots of horses can stand still and "look good", but are all head and neck...this guy has the legs to go places.

 

[HGFarm]

I HATE the growth stage that Minis go through from about a year old to just about 2 year olds. They just dont look right no matter what you do! Long head, scrawny necks, slab sided, no butts....... they look like 10 different horses glued together sometimes.

My suggestion is to give him another year to mature and then make a decision on him- you will probably be somewhat surprized. Is he a halter champion? No, but dont judge him yet- he is just at that awful age and your other ones may not be going through it yet, or will but maybe not so bad.

Here's my theory on yearlings- lock them in the closet until they are two, then let them out and see what you have, LOL

 

[Tremor]

Thanks guys. I think I'll be more inclined to hope something good comes out of his back end (not too worried about his neck to be honest.... although I do wish he had his sire's neck and not his dam's). I wish I knew why he had a roach back.

I think I'll be showing him in showmanship. In my 4H and local Saddle Club there isn't a whole lot of events. No driving or obstacle. Just showmanship, halter, and the classes that require a rider. I have half a notion to sign up for a barrel class and just have fun and run with him in halter around the barrels!

Other than that, I still need to send in his stud report so I can register him....I keep procrastinating on it.

EDIT: He does have such a sweet personality. He isn't pushy (since his gelding at least) and he'll just walk slowly beside you. He will trot on occasion, which turns into some nice movement (too me at least).

He's such a willing boy. I hate to say it, but you can easily hurt his feelings. Love and praise is much required for him. But, he will bathe, clip, set up, lead, and trim. I would say that he can load, but he's only been in a trailer twice. I am hoping to work with him on that before too long.

 

[chandab]

Thanks guys. I think I'll be more inclined to hope something good comes out of his back end (not too worried about his neck to be honest.... although I do wish he had his sire's neck and not his dam's). I wish I knew why he had a roach back.

I think I'll be showing him in showmanship. In my 4H and local Saddle Club there isn't a whole lot of events. No driving or obstacle. Just showmanship, halter, and the classes that require a rider. I have half a notion to sign up for a barrel class and just have fun and run with him in halter around the barrels!

Other than that, I still need to send in his stud report so I can register him....I keep procrastinating on it.

I don't see a roach back; just a rather high rear end, which will probably even out with more time. Probably just a case of the yearling uglies, and you may be very surprised how he balances out with age and growth/filling out.

 

[Tremor]

I don't see a roach back; just are rather high rear end, which will probably even out with more time. Probably just a case of the yearling uglies, and you may be very surprised how he balances out with age and growth/filling out.

Maybe its not a roach back, but his back does raise up considerably in the middle and then to his hips.

Here's a picture from July (he was born April 30th...).

And then one from August.

We owned another mare who had a high butt and the exact same back issue. I added her picture too.

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

I wouldn't say he's ugly. He looks like he's going through the yearling fugly stage though. You'll be surprised as he matures.

 

[Dee]

Well story has it that when I was born my mom looked at me and said, "well that's a face only a mother can love" lol I had a cone head like none other, was pretty bruised up because I was a big baby to be delivered naturally, had wild crazy hair and was over done wrinkly!...and in the long run I think I turned out ok! Lol!

It would be awesome if you could find him a job as a therapy horse visiting hospitals and nursing home. He would also be the most perfect horse in the world for a little kids!