This is a 2002 OTTB mare who came from a sale a couple months ago. Now she's a pet considering her next career move. She is on a weight gain and exercise program to develop muscle and has no topline. Based on these somewhat fuzzy photos I've taken so far, what do you think of her conformation (knowing she's thin and out of shape)? Sometimes she looks sickle hocked, but when she squares up she doesn't. She raced only twice and retired sound. Guess racing isn't her thing :-)
It is really hard to judge conformation from this photo, but I'll do my best. She obviously needs a lot of weight and muscle, but you already knew that. I do see the sickle hock tendency in her. Depending on how they stand you may not always see it, but I suspect that the way she prefers to stand you'll normally notice the sickle hocked stance. Her neck is set on a bit low for my tastes, better for a hunter or pleasure horse type than a dressage or eventing prospect. Her hindquarters appears pretty light, but I'm sure she'll look better muscled up. She'll probably make somebody a nice little horse even if she's not cut out for the Olympics. Good luck with her!
She doesn't have the conformation to be a show horse, she would lose out in any classes that would judge her on conformation. Horsemanship classes don't judge on conformation much. Does she like to run? Some OTT horse do good as gamers(barrel racing or gymkhana), where only athletic abilities counts. If not then see how she is with trail riding, if she enjoys it you can try her are endurance trials.
because of the angle the picture was taken at, and because of the light it's hard to give a really accurate judgment of this hose's conformation. from what i see, she seems to have kind of a short, thin neck (but that could be because she's looking back at the photographer) and a fairly upright shoulder. do you have any pictures of her from the side with her looking straight ahead? that's the only way we'll be able to get a decent look at her.
She is very gorgeous. This picture kind of makes her look high withered but I'm sure it's just because of how she is standing and the angle she is pictured at. Very beautiful! You are very lucky. Just wait until she gets her weight put on and she will be amazingly beautiful!