Next Big Stallion? What is your opinion?

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by pgardn

Why dont we just carry out little breeding experiments, see how nice they look as two year olds, and never let them on the track. The industry could make it like a dog show. We could parade them around and wager on who the judges think look the nicest. Just make racing totally into breeding and conformation. That sounds fun.

Let em run for Christ sakes.

How they look conformation wise has a HUGE affect on how they run. I won't buy any horse that doesn't have a sloping shoulder, large nostrils and straight legs.

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

How they look conformation wise has a HUGE affect on how they run. I won't buy any horse that doesn't have a sloping shoulder, large nostrils and straight legs.

That would be because you have linked those traits to how they run?

I would be inclined to always watch a horse RUN, before purchase. But because I dont purchase, I dont have the authority to say. But come on Gator, you are taking more of a risk buying a yearling that has never taken a good run with a jock aboard, compared to a two year old showing his stuff.

But its not a risk if you are buying a horse for a dog show.

Nostrils? I would be inclined to like horses with large nostrils unless it is linked to some other trait that is a defect. Horses breath through their nostrils. I will never forget a picture I saw of Candy Ride upon beating Megs, his Nostrils were huge.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by pgardn

That would be because you have linked those traits to how they run?

I would be inclined to always watch a horse RUN, before purchase. But because I dont purchase, I dont have the authority to say. But come on Gator, you are taking more of a risk buying a yearling that has never taken a good run with a jock aboard, compared to a two year old showing his stuff.

But its not a risk if you are buying a horse for a dog show.

Nostrils? I would be inclined to like horses with large nostrils unless it is linked to some other trait that is a defect. Horses breath through their nostrils. I will never forget a picture I saw of Candy Ride upon betting Megs, his Nostrils were huge.

Yes, you obviously take a HUGE risk in buying a yearling over a two year old in training. The advantage is that (if you know what you're looking at), you can sometimes get a horse for a lot cheaper than if you bought them as two year olds. Another advantage in yearling purchases for me is that you know that since they haven't been run, you break them and train them however you like. Horses have memories similar to elephants... they remember EVERYTHING and if they are broken the wrong way or started wrong, they don't run as well in the long run. Obviously, you're correct that you can't determine the run and heart of a yearling, but technically, you can't really see that until a horse runs in a race anyway.

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Yes, you obviously take a HUGE risk in buying a yearling over a two year old in training. The advantage is that (if you know what you're looking at), you can sometimes get a horse for a lot cheaper than if you bought them as two year olds. Another advantage in yearling purchases for me is that you know that since they haven't been run, you break them and train them however you like. Horses have memories similar to elephants... they remember EVERYTHING and if they are broken the wrong way or started wrong, they don't run as well in the long run. Obviously, you're correct that you can't determine the run and heart of a yearling, but technically, you can't really see that until a horse runs in a race anyway.

So whats your fascination with nostrils? I'm serious. What do large nostrils in young animals indicate to you?

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by pgardn

So whats your fascination with nostrils? I'm serious. What do large nostrils in young animals indicate to you?

The larger the nostrils in a thoroughbred, the more air they're inhaling and the more air they are inhaling, the better their lungs can work. If they're breathing good, they're going to run faster and longer without tiring.

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

How they look conformation wise has a HUGE affect on how they run. I won't buy any horse that doesn't have a sloping shoulder, large nostrils and straight legs.

I misread your quote, I was going to say it makes no sense at all to me not to love big nostrils. Sorry. Big flaring nostrils it is.

[Scav]

the next big stallion.....ME!!!