2B. I rest my case. Sure this mare is capable of doing her job, but it's not as easy for her as it is for the stallion (something
her expression tells you!). She lacks the drive and reach of that horse (look at the distance between her off hind legs compared to his). That's because her back is longer and her hocks are farther out behind her. Good riding and training can help her, but she's just not as balanced--and athletic--as Horse #1.
Horse #3
3A. Now compare this mare to Horse #1. What a difference! She looks like three different horses stuck together. While I like her kind, soft eye, her neck ties low into her chest and has no definition. The fact that it's heavy on the underside means she's going to be naturally high-headed.
To me, a high neck equals a low back, which makes collection (and balance and athleticism) hard for a horse. That kind of neck tie-in also blocks shoulder reach; her straight, short shoulder won't help it, either.
She has a l-o-n-g back, and a hip that lacks the length she'll need for power. And look at her hocks; they're lagging out behind her hind end. I know from experience that a good brain, a great heart and trainability can help some horses with less than ideal builds overcome their deficiencies and be standout performers. But you can see that this mare is going to have a harder time doing anything athletic than the other two horses here. She's just not built for it.
3B. This is a lack of balance in action. I'm helping this mare every way I can, and she's trying for me, but you can tell it's not easy. She and Horse #1 are in the exact same phase of their lope strides. But her long back and drag-y hocks make it impossible for her to round her back and compress her body like a coiled spring, as the young stallion has. Look at the distance between her off legs compared to his! His right front leg has so much reach it's still suspended, while hers is already slapping
the ground.
Look, too, at how soft his expression and my contact are. He doesn't need to lean on the bit to balance, because his conformation makes balance natural to him. She, however, is leaning on the bit in an attempt to hold herself up. If I were to let go, she'd tumble onto her over-weighted front end.
Everything is a struggle for her. And when it's like that, even the bestminded horse can become resentful over time. Soundness, too, can suffer. That's why, when shopping for an athlete, stack the odds in your favor. Buy balance!
Bob Avila's contributions to the Quarter Horse industry were recognized in 1996, when he was named the AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year. In June 2006, Bob took both All-Around Stock Horse Champion and reserve champion honors at the Magnificent 7 competition at the Western States Horse Expo, which features seven of the world's most skilled horsemen. His Avila Training Stables, Inc., is located in Temecula, Calif. He is a member of Team Horse & Rider.
This article originally appeared in the May 2007 issue of Horse & Rider magazine.
