Folks, this is not a dressage prospect. Check that neck and shoulder, that alone should tell you that this horse isn't a prospect for much except creating more overpriced cobs. I see tons of Gypsy Vanners/Cobs/Extra Special Hairy Horses advertised as dressage prospects. The vast majority of them are not suitable for dressage, they are little hairy tractors. I have seen them move, they go like what they are with short, choppy strides, and their heads in the air. I will admit, some of them may move better, if they have good conformation with a nice shoulder, balanced neck and level or uphill build. Unfortunately, most seem to be about as downhill as anything I have ever seen. Sometimes I just want to bang my head on the wall. I bet the Gypsies are laughing all the way to the bank, these things are like rats over there, and we snap them up at outrageous prices like no tomorrow.
This has been another TTotD Random Rant, brought to you by the folks selling these horses on Dream Horse.
"they are little hairy tractors"
ReplyDeleteLOL -- that made my morning. :o)
Little hairy tractors! I LOVE it. It's a very apt description for a cobby cart horse, and that's all this fellow is. Seems very downhill even for a youngster. Of course, every horse is a 'dressage prospect'. It's just that some horses are really bad dressage prospects. If someone can't tell they've bred something with poor conformation, and can't even make a good presentation for a sale photo, then they have no clue what dressage prospect actually means.
ReplyDeleteIn the UK, the derogatory term for a crap Vanner is Pikey Pony.
It is adorable though! I would love to have one to go down the trail with, but I would never pay much money for one. It could probably manage a Training level test with lots of work.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of them of poor quaility and everyone thinks they hit a gold mine. Happens in a lot of breeds, but the fluffy hair and spots seems to attract them, like flies on sh!t.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the vanners with mustaches and beards!
ReplyDeleteI think it is funny..people in Europe think it is hilarious that Americans buy all the rejects and pay big bucks for them. Someone is laughing all the way to the bank.
ReplyDeletePlease don't use the term 'gypsy' to refer to humans...it's highly derogatory in England. (A lot of Americans don't realize this). It implies stealing, cheating...lowlife behavior. Please?
ReplyDeleteOh, and that cob is a horrible example of the type...they're supposed to have small heads and what is WITH those hindquarters?
Wonder how cute he would be with a couple more years and some grooming and a pretty black harness???
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ReplyDeleteSince you can't edit your comments, I had to delete it to fix it!
ReplyDeleteHairy little tractors... You are SO my hero.
They are about as ridiculous and useless as the fat hairy Pieces of Crap that filter thru the Rutgers University PMU baby auction... However thought that crossing BELGIANS on Quarter Horses is a complete idiot. I've had to ride a couple of thier "graduates". The only reason I rode them more than once was because I was being PAID to do it when the owner couldn't. One was a freight train, the other was a pig. PIG I tell you. Oh, and you can't blame the trainer as they were both broken by top trainers. urgh.
When I was at Dressage at Devon last year people watched the Gypsy Cobs and everyone I was with was like they're cute, but not for dressage.
ReplyDeleteExcept, Pat, that the best trail horse I have ever ridden in my entire life was a Belgian QH cross.
ReplyDeleteThat more has to do with PMU people not thinking about what they're breeding...that cross can turn out nice, but you have to use a good old fashioned QH with a big butt to balance out the front heavy tendency of the draft parent.
I'd like a sturdy 14 hand cob with a nice shoulder and rear that's an easy keeper with iron legs. Something one could hack around on the trails. This fellow may develop a better rear, but that shoulder won't change. I'd shave those feathers too, which is a sin with vanners I know - I just like cob types.
ReplyDeleteEh Hem, I'll have you know that most people I know who are interested in dressage go to MAYBE 1st level, and any horse can do that....
ReplyDeleteTalk about breed snobs guys??
O yea, and BTW I've got a Clydesdale/Saddlebred that's showing 4th, schooling Prix St George/ Intermediaire. So shove it draft snobs