5-Day Challenge: Day 3

Random: I don't think I said that I found one of my old riding buddies from last year--she and her horse have moved to a barn on the way over to River's!! SO excited! Haha! Besides now I have an excuse to stop there sometime and meet the folks there.. ;) I don't think I'd ever move River there--they have very little turnout and the place isn't the best kept-up outside--but never hurts to make friends. Besides, I'm never saying never! ;)

On to the challenge! I can't believe I'm actually posting every day so far!

11. Critique your horse’s conformation.

Taking confo pictures when you're alone is v.e.r.y. h.a.r.d., so here is his sale picture!

I am not all that great at conformation so feel free to chime in and say what you see!

His back is a bit long, not too bad for a Thoroughbred though. He could be more uphill, though he's not terrible; his shoulder and neck look heavier than his hind end. Hind end is a bit weak.
His shoulder is pretty good, a bit straight but not bad. As far as neck and whatnot, I am clueless on that so have nothing to say--lol!

His legs are okay, he tends to toe out all around though a good trim job usually evens him out pretty well. He paddles a bit up front and his hind legs are a bit cow-hocked, not terrible though. He's been pin-fired on both sides of both fronts, and has an old sequestrum (fully healed) on the left front. Pasterns might be a teeny bit long, but are well sloped. He has a good depth of girth and wide ribs. His feet are (FINALLY!!!) really amazing, especially for a Thoroughbred. Did I mention he was crunching over big gravel like no big deal the other day?? And his head is adorable! :)

And I want those adorable dapples back! Where'd they go?! I also want His Fatness back, though I'm sure he would say that if I'd feed him 5 lb. of food twice a day, he'd fatten up just fine...

Trail ears!!

12. Horse’s favorite riding exercise.
Trail rides! Especially when he can trot/canter. He loves loves loves it but we haven't done a whole lot
because of his feet. One of these days we'll get back with it! I'm also hoping that he'll enjoy jumping, but we'll see...

I hatez bathz...

13. Favorite spa day products.
River abhors baths and being wet in general, so I haven't given him any--a rinse down when it's hot but otherwise not much. His "spa" days are typically just a really good brushing and a massage. He does love his massages!

14. Three best things about your horse.
1. His brain! He has such a solid, thoughtful mind and has only given me one big spook so far--usually he just crouches, stops and stares, or takes a few sideways steps. When he does stop and give something the hairy eyeball, I can usually just sit there and wait till he's ready, and in a minute or two he will start taking steps towards it on his own, pausing every few steps to make sure it's not going to eat him, till he can put his nose on it. Then he's fine. I still ride super defensively whenever he sees something and tenses up, but one of these days he'll persuade me he's not a freaking-out kind of horse!

2. His "try." He tries so hard to be good, which sometimes works against us because he gets so anxious when he's not sure what to do or what's going on. But as long as I can be patient and gently direct him in whatever we're doing, he usually will "get it" and then he will do his absolute best to do it again whenever he thinks I want it!

3. His overall unflappability--I can tie him in the aisle with his dinner (always with baling twine, so if he pulls back he won't break anything) and go feed other horses, rake the aisle, take down spiderwebs, have other horses walk behind him, the cats can be rubbing around his legs and trucks driving by outside, and he won't freak or kick or bite.


15. Favorite picture of your horse.

Handsome man