>>>> Isn't it fairly obvious? Ewe neck, Ewe neck? I'm not sure that horse has a "conformational ewe neck". A swan neck maybe, but that's different. I feel sure he has a "developed" ewe neck from moving that way...but would that be a reason not to breed to him? I don't think how a horse is muscled up is genetically transmitted. Gosh, if we didn't breed to ewe-necked Icelandic stallions who would we breed to...now that Melnir is gelded anyway. :)
>>> so much suspension that the amount of wear and tear on the joints must be horrendous, Does suspension cause wear and tear? I don't think so. A lot of Arabs have tons of natural suspension and many hold up for extremely demanding endurance careers. I think suspension can actually be a good thing...if it's natural. And, if it's not natural, it won't be transmitted to the babies anyway.... BTW, I own an Arab with TONS of very natural suspension. He's 27, was a hunter for years, showed dressage for a few years, and is sound as a dollar today. He has plenty of suspension barefoot and at leisure. He's one heck of a horse... :) >>>>no throatlatch to speak of, I don't know what you mean? I thought a THICK throatlatch is generally undesirable. What do you mean by "no throatlatch?" I can't remember ever hearing that before. >>>very long weak-looking pasterns, Yep. But I see a heck of a lot of Icelandic's whose pasterns virtually touch the ground when they tolt. Do his really look worse? And would they look so bad if his feet were trimmed to a normal length and in balance? Hard to say, but I'm still not positive any of this is conformational. It might be, but who can tell? >>>> straight shoulder And what does a straight shoulder do to a horse, in relation to how they move? What part of gait does it affect? >>> action like riding a pogo stick - >From bell boots and long feet, surely. But suspension in trot is sought after in many disciplines. It may not be your personal preference - it's certainly not mine - but is it a fault? Depends on the use of the horse. >>> should I go on? Just explain my questions above would be fine.... :) Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
