Newbie Question regarding ASPC

[Flyer]

Hi,

I've been into AMHR/AMHA horses for a while and have gotten into combined driving lately. I'm beginning to look for an AMHR/ASPC filly to train for combined driving/dressage. My question is--how are ASPC horses normally referred to when measureing? Are the measured to the last hair on their mane like miniatures or are the measured like the rest of the horse world--to the top of the wither? Also, can both classic and modern shetlands be registered in AMHR? What are the benifits of foundation classic horses? Which type is more likely to do well in combined driving -- I'm assuming classic. I'm aware that modern horses have hackney in their bloodlines and standard/horse sized hackney horses are pretty popular around here for driving--so maybe modern is OK as well (although I think they can be hot)? What hight range should I be considering when looking at long yearlings and two year old prospects if I need a mature hight of 39" or under? Any specific things I need to look for/consider when buying a ASPC/AMHR horse that is particular to the breed (other than the usual prepurchase exam etc)? What is the most common mistake people make when buying a ASPC/AMHR?

Sorry for all of the questions. By the way just an observation: most dual registered horses are not located on the west coast! I'll probably have to buy my prospect based on a video and vet exam. I've been saving up all of these questions for a while.

Thank you!

 

[hhpminis]

OK Lots of questions so I am going to break it down.

My question is--how are ASPC horses normally referred to when measureing?  When they are at an AMHR show they are measured like a mini at the last hair of the mane.  When they are shown as a shetland, they are measured at the wither.

Also, can both classic and modern shetlands be registered in AMHR? 

Yes as long as they are 38" or under.

What are the benifits of foundation classic horses? 

It is nice to have it on the registration for breeding and resale.  It is supposed to show that they are all shetland heritage and have no other breed in them, such as hackney.

Which type is more likely to do well in combined driving -- I'm assuming classic. 

I dont type cast.  I have seen some very laid back moderns and some very hot classics.  It is individual to each horse.  Moderns tend to have more knee action and therefore may not be as advantageous for CDE but there are always exceptions.

What hight range should I be considering when looking at long yearlings and two year old prospects if I need a mature hight of 39" or under? 

Actually they need to be 38 or under at maturity for AMHR so a yearling can be up to 36 and a 2 year old can be 37.  At three they must be 38 or less.

Any specific things I need to look for/consider when buying a ASPC/AMHR horse that is particular to the breed (other than the usual prepurchase exam etc)? 

It all boils down to a well put together horse.  If you want it for CDE, you will want one with good conformation as they have great demands put on them and need to stay sound.  If you know horses than the same applies to buying a mini or pony as buying a big horse.

What is the most common mistake people make when buying a ASPC/AMHR?

I would say the most common mistake people make is the above.  They dont look at the total horse.  With the popularity of the ASPC/AMHR horse now they look at the fact that they are shetland and that is good enough.  This is so far from the truth.  You still need to choose your priorities in what you are looking for whether that be conformation, pedigree, mental attitude, movement, beauty, color, these all need to be taken into consideration when purchasing a horse.

By the way just an observation:  most dual registered horses are not located on the west coast! 

Oh so wrong!  There are many of us out here in the west.

 

[kaykay]

i think it would be much harder to find a modern that could still fit the height requirement for a mini. And thinking about it I dont believe i have ever seen one.

Keep in mind too there are modern pleasure horses like my patches. definately too big to be amhr but shes imo a wonderful blend of a modern/classic pony. Shes registered B division because she does have hackney in her pedigree but she is not your typical modern pony so she only shows in modern pleasure

kay

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]I have seen 6 at Doc Taylors.......5 mares and a gelding. There was a gorgeous filly who as a yearling measured under 34 I measured her myself.... she will probably top out at 36. She sold for almost 6,000.00 at the sale![/SIZE]

Lyn

 

[Lewella]

Wasn't Joe Abb also AMHR registered? He was a very well known "under 43" Modern.

As for the height thing - Annette gave the heights if you are measuring as a mini. If you are measing as a Shetland you can figure an inch added on to each of those if they have a descent wither.

You are going to find when you are looking that Foundation ponies are often going to have the more rounded/sporty way of going that is needed to do really well in CDE's.

 

[keeperofthehorses]

I saw a video of a Hackney pony doing a CDE course and she did just fine, so I bet a Modern Shetland would do fine too. The Hackney perhaps used more energy (which she seemed to have), but she got it done and looked like she was having a blast doing it. I do wonder if the extreme movement of the moderns would be harder on the legs under the rigor of CDE in the long term though. I don't suppose they'd have to be shod or checked up the way they are at breed shows, which might help.

I don't think there's anything a Shetland (of any type) can't do though!

I'm curious... when a Modern Shetland/AMHR is being shown as a Mini, is it shod up like a Shetland?

 

[hhpminis]

No it is not shod. When showing them as a mini you must follow all the mini rules, including measuring at the last hair of the mane.

Lewella was right about the height by the way, the heights I gave for a yearling and 2 yr old were at the last hair of mane like minis are measured.