Mugs Fesses Up and Why Shouldn’t This Horse Be A Stud?
Aug 22 2011
Good Morning.
I guess it’s time to cough up the hair ball and tell a little more about who I am. I write a little blog called Mugwump Chronicles.It is a mixture of horse training tips, stories about horses I’ve ridden and trained and thoughts on horses and the people who ride them.
I began my blog as a writing exercise about four years ago while I was still a reined cow horse trainer for a small QH ranch in Colorado. I also needed to exorcise a few demons, and venting on an anonymous blog seemed a good idea.The blog grew and changed faster than I ever thought possible, as did, and I’ve maintained Mugwump Chronicles through my decision to retire from the horse biz and on to my new job as a writer for a small newspaper in Fountain CO.
Cathy and I got to know each other through blogging. We shared a mutual concern for the welfare of horses and thought each other was pretty darn funny.
I’ve learned a lot from Cathy and I like to think she learned some from me.
If you want to get to know me better then check me out at www.mugwumpchronicles.blogspot.com. I’m all there.
Suggestions for a new identifying moniker are not only welcome, but hoped for.
Now on to the fun.
Many of you have suggested I bring up the conformation critiques again. I am not a conformation expert by any stretch, but I know what I like and I’ve been taught what to look for in a horse in my world.
I’m working on a rotation idea for the blog, we’ll see how it pans out and I’m hoping to get some good input on how it’s working from you folks.
I thought we could put a twist on the conformation critiques.
We’ll start with this weeks pick apart session…all ads are reprinted with the spelling they came with.
Why Shouldn’t this Horse Be A Stud?
Craigslist
$600
3 yr old stud for sale. Started on
ground training, ready to train your way. Email or call xxx-xxx-xxxx
My first rule of thumb on a stud prospect: If I find it on Craigslist HE’S NOT A STUD PROSPECT!
My second rule: If he only costs $600 HE’S NOT A STUD PROSPECT!
If I want to sell a horse I will clean him up and not take a photo of him in a manure loaded pen. I personally wouldn’t want the world to know I never clean my pens.
There is no mention of registration, which tells me he is grade. So why is he being sold as a stud? I can hear it now.
“Say Earl,what are we gonna do with that wild little booger in the back pen?”
“Why I don’t know Wylene, I’ve never been able to catch him. I guess we’d better sell him.”
“He sure is strong. Remember when he kicked you? You musta flown 20 feet.”
“Hoowee! That’s for sure. Well, he’s real pretty, everybody wants a blue roan these days, we might as well put him on Craigslist.”
“I can’t say he’s broke, has he ever had a halter on him?”
“I through one at him when he kicked me.”
“Hmmmm..OK, (typing into computer) “ready to train your way.”
As far as looks and conformation, I don’t mind this little guy. I actually like the fact he is just started on his groundwork as a 3-year-old, I like his bone and basic build.
He’s coarse though, and I don’t like his upright shoulder or the set of his hocks. The way his front foot is swinging in tells me he might be paddle footed.
Even if he was papered and gelded I would pass this one by as an investment, it’s too hard to sell a green 4-year-old and I don’t like him enough to put more than a few months time on him.
Craigslist
Hi we have a 2yr old grulla appy colt for sale.
He is a smaller size and will mature around 14.3hh, 15hh. He leads, ties, loads but has not had much work. He has a nice hip on him and is an easy keeper. He maintains his feet very well and has not had a trim or anything yet but will need one soon. He will be a good prospect and a nice horse once hes finished training and all. He stands around 14hh (guess) right now. He is a flashy little horse. Has the pretty grulla look but if you look close he has little white spots on him from the appy. We have too many horses right now and he needs to go. Have no place for a stud at the moment. Out of a grulla stallion and an appy mare. The mare was a nice riding horse that had a temperment of being a kids horse even though she was abused in her past. We do not own the parents but our friend had the mare for awhile before they sold her. Asking $350 OR BEST OFFER!!!! Thanks xxx-xxx-xxxx
Yay. This colt has grulla color AND spots.The mare was bred because she’s nice? What behaviors are they hiding behind the “abused in the past” excuse?
At least this colt is halter broke, leads and ties, but I consider a horse allowing me to handle his feet a priority before he goes up for sale.
Maybe nobody had his feet done because his mother was abused?
Conformation wise, I see cow hocks, a small undeveloped hip, and a big head.
I like his shoulder and neck but would still take a pass on this one.
Craigslist
Seven year old stud – $500
Seven year old stud broke to ride jental started on barells and have tracked stears good horse well manerd. Call (xxx) xxx-xxxx or (xxx)xxx-xxx or txet this number
AAAAAAHHHHHH! My eyes! My eyes!
The neck, the shoulder, the hip! The worst is the two clubbed back feet.I may sneak onto this place in the middle of the night with my knife and whisky bottle to have a one horse gelding party, but only to stop this mess from ever being bred. There is nothing about this horse I find redeemable.
Craigslist
Really nice chocolate palomino stud colt.
Dam (AQHA# 4288527) is an own daughter of SLAM DUN IT (out of HOLLYWOOD DUN IT) and BB ALEYDA (daughter of DOX WARBLER)
Sire (AQHA# 4630927) is out of world champion and money earning producing dam and sire. (MEGA BUCKS GOLD and ANDY GOLDEN GIRL)
This colt should make a real nice prospect for reining, roping or all around great colt.
Foaled on April 23, 2011
You still have time to pick out his registration name.
Buy the colt for $850 or you can buy him and his dam for $3000 as a pair.
Dam is a red dun and has had some professional reining training in the past but has been used as a broodmare for the last 3 years.
I am willing to take payments on him until weaning time.
for more info you can call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
I would buy this colt. I like everything about him, his breeding, his looks and I love the price. For me this is proof we don’t need to breed, especially to the above studs. Why roll the dice and put up with the expense and risk of breeding your mare when you can pick up a colt like this one for $850? He would make a fantastic GELDING.
And my favorite ad of the day, even though there was no photo posted is this one.
Craigslist
Needing horse boarding for calm stud, willing to trade for breedings.
I am needing horse boarding for my thoroughbred stud. he is calm mannered and beautiful. Id rather pay right around 150, nothing over 200. If i supply hay i wont pay over 80 for board. I am looking for either a small pasture or a big run he can have to himself. I dont want to box him up in a stall.
If u have an open pasture or run please let me know
Wouldn’t you like to see this one?
127 comments to “Mugs Fesses Up and Why Shouldn’t This Horse Be A Stud?”
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Now it all makes sense! I’ve been lurking on your other blog for quite some time. Very cool to see you taking over here. That seven year old stud made my head twist around a bit. What a fugly bugger!
OK… don’t kill me, but on the $500 7 year old stud I liked his short back and sloped shoulder. The legs are awful, but I thought he was better looking than a few others up there… IMO
Life’s A Beach
http://36andsingle.blogspot.com/
His back isn’t long, but the loin attachment is still weak. And that shoulder… while I admit it’s not the most upright one I’ve ever seen, it’s still far from ideal. Which wouldn’t be such a big deal if he wasn’t so incredibly short through the humerus (elbow to point of shoulder). Not a pretty or comfortable combination!
http://snarkyrider.wordpress.com
Ah!! Didn’t know I should look for that humerous length. Learn something new every day
As for the loin, I have a couple of fugly arabs so I’m used to the crappy loin LOL
I was going to say I wouldn’t buy any horse without seeing them move, until I saw the palomino colt. I would buy him (and geld him) based on that picture, his breeding and the price. I would buy his mother too for the same reasons, and the additional reason that they’re owned by asshats who try to sell them on Craigslist. They obviously have better breeding than their owners.
That being said, for what I want now in a horse, I might not mind colts one and two if they were gelded. I don’t ride ‘em young or too hard. I don’t care too much about their looks as long as they can carry me a few miles on nicely groomed trails. I would lean toward colt one because I suspect he would stay sound longer than colt two, but either one of them might clean up and muscle up into a nice looking gelding who can manage light trail riding.
I don’t know what to say about colt 3. I feel sorry for him, but I’m glad he rides jental. That’s a requirement for us old grannies. I don’t think he has clubbed hind feet (is that even possible?) I think he’s standing weird. I also can’t comment on the TB stud, again, it sounds like he has better breeding than his owners.
It’s hard to NOT be snarky about some of these ads isn’t it Mugly (Fugwumps, Fugnoir?) I think this would be a great weekly feature, providing you could find enough ads. Ya think?
I was thinking it might work. I think it would be time to get out the margaritas and a pinata if I COULDN’T find any photos.
Yeah, love your blog…missed seeing more posts. It will be nice to see your posts here…and please don’t forget about the cowhorse insights!!!
an’t help it, it’s about the only insight I’ve got!
I like the pali colt too.
Someone on the Chronicles blog already said this, but I really like the name Mugly! lol!!
PS.. Will Cathy ever pop back in on this blog?
I don’t know….I hope so.
I am officially popping back in.
I will tranq the 7 year old for you so that you can geld it. WHAT THE HELL, are they BLIND? I agree, I can’t seem to find one single thing that is ok about that horse. It is a collection of flaws, none of them minor. The only thing worse than that horse is their spelling in the ad.
YAY – She’s alliiiiiiiivvvvvve! BYMV, glad to “see” ya.
Guess you just couldn’t resist a comment on that poor misbegotten creature. He really is “special,” alright, and I have a feeling he’s not all that “jental,” either. I think the Appy and the Pally are not lost causes, though.
Mugly, Mugly, I vote for MUGLY!
I guarantee you can find enough ads with photos…If you run out of Craigslist fun, come on over to Tennessee and visit http://www.golsn.com. There’s enough fun stuff to make your eyes bleed.
(Oh, and when we sell horses, I DO post them on CL and LSN — as well as breed sites, our own website, and ‘better’ classified sites — for the simple fact that there are folks out there like me who visit CL every day for sheer entertainment and might just buy a horse in the process!!)
Yeah I didn’t think it could get much worse than craigslist until my ex-boss introduced me to LSN. It’s like craigs list’s hillbilly cousin
I agree that there’s no harm in posting a sale listing through them though. I also check CL and LSN every day, partly for a good laugh and partly to see if I can’t snag up a young horse with some potential for a good price. Actually quite a few of the listing do pop up on several of the better respected classified venues as well.
(On a side note I LOVE that palomino colt! There’s actually a surprising number of nice looking weanling and yearling colts to pop up on craigs list recently)
I actually think everyone should advertise on CL. It’s free, and most people don’t know how to write an ad, or what to put in one. Throw something up on CL, and 1000 snarky people will be SURE you know what you missed out on. When you have your ad perfected (and inquiries coming in) then you know what people are looking for in a description. Also, I’ve found that the “best” pictures in my opinion are not the ones that draw attention from buyers. While I want to see a good conformation shot as well as a personality shot, buyers like the wind in the mane type of pictures. The more people who look at your horse, the better chance you have of finding the RIGHT home for it.
That doesn’t mean you should price the horse for CL, or use it as your only source of sales, but it’s a useful tool for those who don’t sell horses all the time. Plus, you don’t HAVE to sell your horse to the whack jobs that contact you, and good ones come from the strangest places. Granted, I don’t sell a lot of stallions, and would be embarrassed to ever show a horse in a picture like these! Why is it so hard to clean the horse up, and stand it up, or get it moving? Grazing pictures just don’t scream “make me yours”.
Good to see you here Mugs (I do like “Mugly”–short, obvious, and clearly identifies).
I’m delighted to see some conformation discussion again. I can easily see stuff like cowhocks and “two front legs out of one hole” but I admit that shoulder/hip angles mystify me. Steep shoulder = choppy ride, but how steep is too steep? You can see that I need help, and I hope discussions here will help !
I have a problem even *seeing* the shoulder. I can see it, but if the horse is well muscled, I get confused. I can easily find the point by their chest, but where on the withers does the shoulder actually connect? I get that it’s supposed to be a 45 degree angle, but how do you measure or really KNOW? It would be awesome if we could get a lineup of 10 or so photos of the same breed and have someone knowledgeable put little red dots at the end points of the shoulder (or a red line or something) so I could see. I think if I saw enough examples in a row, I would get it.
What I don’t get at all is tail set. Does it actually make a difference, or is it just for looks?
I know I say this on a daily basis, but…. sigh. I would l like to have the little palomino colt. $850? For REAL? You can kennel train a horse, right? My cocker spaniel’s getting pretty reliable in the house, so I can use the kennel to house the colt at night and take him for looooong walks in the morning and evening to tire him out so he sleeps well. I promise to love him, and hug him, and hold him, and brush him….
Sigh. Being horseless is getting to me.
That colt in the first photo does NOT look three years old to me. I’ve seen yearlings that looked bigger.
PS: Mugly. Perfect. Great suggestion, RedColt.
I agree, most everything else I can see pretty clearly except the shoulder. I can usually tell if its generally good or bad, but beyond that I really have no idea. Maybe I am missing something obvious.
Mugly, welcome to Fugly! How nice to have a profile in place. I’m a rookie reiner and am super excited about your perspective and background behind the new Fugly blog. I’ve enjoyed your last few posts they’ve seemed more genuine since the first post. I think you were trying to see how many of us you could fool with that one. I don’t know much about Reined cow horse versus reining horses. Not too many cows past NYC. It’s also nice to see the discussions are as lively as ever. You don’t seem to have lost any of your audience, in fact I’m sure it will grow with your fresh enthusiasm for the task. Best wishes hope it is an enjoyable ride for you.
I always evaluate conformation with a specific discipline in mind. Coming from a dressage/ hunter/ jumper background I do tend to prefer a sloped shoulder over the upright, but the key in all critique is balance.
Colt #1, while not my cup of tea, seems to be fairly balanced between his neck/body/hind end and have reasonably equivalent angles in his shoulder/hip/pasterns. My biggest concern is his age and development level- he looks like he needs at least another 12 months + to grow into himself, and widen through the chest and barrel- and at 3 that just might not happen at all. Although his eye looks soft and he has a nice shape to his head, he’s unrefined through the throatlatch and his head and neck appear to be equal in size. Seems to be in good weight and clean. Actually looks very ponyish to me. Def. geld!
Colt #2 I am not a fan of. That long back/weak loin combo with a very upright shoulder and pastern angle says choppy choppy ride to me. Short thick neck, weak hind end, coarse head. The fact that he’s 2 means he may just be in a uneven growth state, but again, Geld him now!
Colt #3. His head is bigger than his neck, and he has some big ol’ ears on his head that give him a mulish look. I actually like his shoulder and barrel, but again he has a weakly tied in loin- actually looks goose rumped to me. As a 7 year old, his level of muscling and stance indicate that he’s heavy on the front end, strung out behind, and likely heavy in the bridle/hand relying on a rider to balance him, if he rides at all. He’s in good weight and shiny, but he looks cobbled from a few different types of horses which means inconsistency in what he throws, never a desirable stud characteristic.
Colt #4 has a lot good going for him, and while he isn’t a stud prospect either, he looks like he’ll make a useful horse.
Long strong cannon bones and big solid hind end suggest he’ll be a nice size with good substance, while his head looks reasonably refined. Short neck tied in low to his body is not uncommon in QH breeders looking for a downhill outline, but it’s not my preference at all. He’s cute, his angles match up, and while he is weak in the forearm/gaskins, with time to grow up he’ll likely be a lovely gelding.
Yes, I was always taught to make sure the shoulder & pastern angles matched up…. if they were both too upright, you were in for a bumpy ride, and if too low, then you don’t have much athletic potential.
Um….Wow. I glanced over the pictures and wondered about #3, he isn’t stellar but most yearlings are a tad fugly looking, I thought he might mature into a short necked and weak quartered individual but nevertheless good enough for trails and fun as a gelding. Then I realised – not a yearling. 7 years old. Should be pretty much in his adult frame now. Oh dear. Poor thing. Please geld.
Also, can someone please tell me what the hell a “chocolate palamino” is? Never heard that one before…
Life’s A Beach
http://36andsingle.blogspot.com/
A palomino who turns a chocolate brown as he ages, but keeps the white mane and tail….
Yes, and often they have those cute dapples. ADORABLE color on a good pony.
Genetically it’s a chestnut horse + 1 copy of the cream dilution gene plus possibly the Liver/agouti/sooty gene causing the shade to darken.
ee + Cccr (+ ??)
Chocolate palominos can darken as they age or be born that shade. Because the mechanism that produces the lovely dark shade isn’t completely understood, breeding for the shade is still an inexact science. All the above assumes that there’s no chance of the silver (Z) gene being involved which can produce similar coloration.
Old silver screen cowboy, Rex Allen, had a “chocolate palomino named KoKo.
http://tinyurl.com/3rwdqxo
He was the consummate chocolate palomino…. dark chocolate
LOL, we purchased a colt/gelded now who was supposed to turn into a chocolate palamino as well. Looked identically to the #4, same stockings and brownish behind. He is pale yellow now, not even a golden palamino. There is no sign of the chocolate. If the sooty gene is not there you won’t get anything but what you see on the front end, color wise.
Please, please, please let’s get a Mugly gelding bus together. I will bring Tequila and my friend the vet. She’s a small animal vet, but I bet I could kidnap her and get her to do some gelding for us with just a few margaritas. We could call it the Mug the Fug bus.
oh ma gawd, mug the fug bus, that is genius. also my thoughts went mugs, mugly, muggles…and then I thought I should stop rereading the 7th harry potter book for the 6th time.
Only if Cathy comes too.
Comes? Heck, I’ll bring the margaritas!
As soon as someone refers to their stallion as a “stud”, they have pretty much lost me.
That first colt, if his neck were longer, might be worth $600 as a gelding. He looks solid and stout, though there’s something going on with his front leg. Hard to tell from the photo…..
The grulla looks like 2 different horses pasted together. That is a WEAK-ass horse! I mean that literally.
What “hip” are they talking about? I don’t like the overly meaty neck, though maybe he’s just young. I have a hard time evaluating horses that aren’t fully grown.
The poor 7 yr old. What a mess…. butt high, clubfooted, straight-shouldered… He looks like some weird Standardbred-morgan cross from before WWI. if I were giving Oral Reasons in a 4H judging competition, I’d be required to say ONE nice thing about him, even if he were dead last. I’d say, “he is a handsome color with a kind eye.” That about covers it.
The pali colt is cute. He needs to develop, though. I’m not so sure I’m a big fan of the way his head & neck come together, or the very low tailset (very AQHA, I know, so not a real problem), and there seems to be a crooked thing happening with his right fore. Again, hard to tell from the picture. For the money, though, I think he’d be a good risk for training & resale. He’s super flashy – if he’s at all a decent mover, he’d make some little girl VERY happy in a few years – he has a “sweet” look to him. Hard to describe, but you know what I mean.
Agree… ‘Mugly’ is a perfect identifier for our new author.
Welcome! It will be great to once again have this blog updated on a frequent schedule. I’ve enjoyed Fugs and her comments for quite some time now and plan on staying with FHOTD in the future.
Your background is from the discipline that most interests this reader… I like the sound of YOUR pedigree. LOL
Will have to visit the ‘mugwump’ blog and read a little more about you….
I’m not so sure that 7 year old dark bay stud has clubbed feet behind. I think he’s standing parked out like that to prop his heels up on the rim of the round pen he appears to be tied in. I see that resting stance frequently in horses that have known hock problems. Either way, he doesn’t need to be breeding, that’s for sure!!
Hi Mugs!
Good to see you pick up the Fugly baton.
My vote for handle is also Mugly. It just flows together too well, with that little echo.
I’m a whiskey fan myself. *cheers!*
Wow-I couldn’t me happier to see you here Mugs. I had wrote this blog off as useless drivel, til someone said you was writing the posts. It’s very nice to see a lack of the foul and hate-filled language that fugly used to use. I have never seen any reason for that kind of attitude. Hopefully the commenters on here pick up on your more light-hearted snarkiness and leave off with the venemous and hate filled comments that had become the norm.
I agree with your assessments of the featured horses. Although I had to look a the picture of the first horse a couple of times. He looks like a long weanling, not a 3y/o. Color aside, he is very common. Nothing horrible…Nothing great. Probably make a decent gelding.
The palomino colt is the kind a person should be happy to raise. Bloodlines, color, chrome and he is nicely put together. At that price though, the breeder sure isn’t making any money on him.
I will say one thing though, people have a tendency to judge youngsters too harshly. They are ever-changing until they mature and so much depends on how they are taken care of as they grow up. It helps to start with the right genetics of course, but that doesn’t mean that a pretty foal will grow up to be as pretty a horse as you might have hoped for. And I have personally raised some atrociously ugly, spare-parts looking, foals that grew up to be stunningly beautiful and conformationally correct adult horses.
The other thing people need to remember is that while they are complaining that breeders need to be breeding only for the ‘Ferrari’s’ of the horse world, there aren’t that many people that can ride or handle those ‘Ferrari’s’. The Ford and Chevy types are much more suited to the vast majority of horse owners these days.
Most of us don’t need the Ferarri but most of us don’t want a gremlin or a le car either!
“I will say one thing though, people have a tendency to judge youngsters too harshly. They are ever-changing until they mature and so much depends on how they are taken care of as they grow up. It helps to start with the right genetics of course, but that doesn’t mean that a pretty foal will grow up to be as pretty a horse as you might have hoped for. And I have personally raised some atrociously ugly, spare-parts looking, foals that grew up to be stunningly beautiful and conformationally correct adult horses.
The other thing people need to remember is that while they are complaining that breeders need to be breeding only for the ‘Ferrari’s’ of the horse world, there aren’t that many people that can ride or handle those ‘Ferrari’s’. The Ford and Chevy types are much more suited to the vast majority of horse owners these days. ”
I have to agree with you on this, sadly, there are a lot of nice, useable youngsters out there that never reach their potential because people don’t put the time into them. Usually, that’s all it takes is the time to check them daily, don’t let small wounds and problems become big ones, and take the time to train them when they’re mature enough.
It doesn’t take much more to raise a really nice colt, than it does to raise a sad, neglected one. I think a lot of Fugly horses are created because people are trying to breed Ferrari’s using Chevy and Ford stock. I’d much rather have a sound, good minded Chevy or Ford.
You sure found some winners there!
First critter: is he supposed to be a blue roan? He looks dark bay. Would not buy a three year old who looks like a weanling. Hard to tell anything specific about his conformation in that pose, but he really does look just like a long weanling, which makes me think he’s spent the last three years trying to eat what’s in that pen.
Grulla appy colt: well, he’s a pretty color. He’s two, and he might turn out nicer than he looks at the moment, particularly that terrible hip. I’m pretty sure the cow hocks are an illusion caused by the way he’s standing, and almost all 2 year olds have big heads. If he’s only 14hh at 2, I wouldn’t bet on him getting much bigger though. It’s bizarre that they specifically point out his hip as a good feature. Yeah, if I were really short, I’d pay $350 for him, geld him, put some miles on him next year, he’s never going to be a show horse but might turn out a nice little critter or at any rate not a bad one. But then I have a soft spot for appies.
7 year old stud: Whoooeee, you found a fugly! Lookit that butt!
The pally colt: well, I confess stock breeds are not my thing. They all look sort of bloated to me. But he appears to have all the bits in the places stock people like them, and it’s a nice price. Color doesn’t hurt, either. This could be a really pretty horse for the right person. Also, he has nice pasterns, which is a rarity.
YIKES!!! Craigslist is the LAST place I would look for a quality horse, although there probably are a few that find their way there. I don’t think a person can comment fairly on a horse that’s not set up properly, although the last “stud” was kinda…and he definitely needs to find a knife-happy owner. The little palomino might not look great when “stood up” but he had a cute photo, and enough information to make a person WANT to go see him. In person, he’s probably nice as can be.
As for the thorobred stud owner…**headdesk**…fer shur!!!
I figured out #4, the TB stud, these people own some butt ugly draft mares and they are gonna breed sport horses. But they have to get a few foals on the ground first and sell them to those rich dressage people so they can afford a barn, and land and food.
As fior your own screen name here…I like “Fugnoir”
Colt #1 – not too bad, but not too good either. Seems fairly well balanced if a bit on the stocky side. Kudos to the owners for trying to put some training on him. Do him a favor and geld him. With his very ordinary looks and no papers, he’ll find more people willing to take him on that way.
Colt #2 – pretty color, but the front and back ends don’t match… I also don’t like the look of his hind legs. He’s not likely to make even a mediocre stud. Again, do him a favor and geld him… he MIGHT find a home.
Colt #3 – unremarkable on all points. He’s a horse-shaped horse, but I can’t say much more about him. I don’t see anything about him that I would call “good.” Geld him and let him pack some kid around.
Colt #4 – I’d call this one a case of so far so good. I’d like to see him when he’s a bit older. However, if sire and dam are still among the living, I’d be more likely to geld him and let him become a performing advertisement for their foals.
LOVE conformation discussions. How can you think you will ever run out of photos—you can bet we’ll be sending them in!!!
I like the name MugsFugs.
I do not have the ‘eye’ or knowledge (or terminology!) to pick out a colt. When looking at a horse I can’t say why I like one over another except to say an over all balance to the body…..like all the parts fit seemlessly together.
I think I need to learn the language of confirmation…..maybe a post?
Give me a good kind, intelligent eye over a slight ‘imbalance’ of body any day. But since I don’t know much, I could be wrong.
Make it three clubed feet on the seven year old…but my eyes are old. I do like his face though. I would trade a lawn mower for him. I could use a babysitter type.
Hi Mugwump. I knew it was you. I’d love to hear an unbiased, learned opinion of this. As an old horseman, I do wonder how on earth this is something you western folks are into. I couldn’t figure out for the longest time, why english and western peeps don’t agree on much. I think this is probably why. Please? Explain? Thanks.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkzCVbZFKgo"
We “western folks” are into big skies, beautiful mountains, dry air and being part of the fittest population in the country. Those people are ignorant, cruel fools, endangering the horses and themselves. I heard one of those boys was a cousin visiting from Sussex. I can’t tell you which one because I didn’t finish watching the video. It made me sick. Maybe you could explain the rest to me.
In case anyone didn’t notice, that is a backyard arena and an all Native American crowd. The dialect is a dead give-away. Wild Horse Races are also common at a lot of the amateur and some professional rodeos. Most of the horses used are young-2-3 y/o rodeo stock protégés. There never is any intention of turning them into saddle horses. They either make bucking stock or they are shipped. However, I’m guessing the young horses used in this specific video will go on to be reservation ponies, broke to ride and end up packing multiple kids around at any given time. Ya ever want a rank horse broke, pay some Indian kids to do it. They can turn anything into a saddle horse. They won’t know anything and will probably come back thin, but they will be rideable.
As to the Why?
The popularity of Wild Horse Races has waxed and waned over the decades, but never seems to completely die out. In actuality it is a realistic version of how horses were started in the old days. Back when ranches didn’t handle their stock until they were almost mature and able to handle a full day’s work. The herd was brought in, the horses that needed broke, were roped, mugged, saddled and riders popped on and rode them til they stopped bucking. This was done every day until the horses were decent enough to head out across the prairie.
As a Sport (although that definition is definitely up for debate), Halters are used rather than the horses being roped and choked down, the muggers are not allowed to bite ears anymore and all the rider has to do is get the horse to run or buck as the case may be around a specific marker. The team then has to remove saddle and halter and carry it back to the chutes.
I just don’t see how a reasonable person could judge the entire Western-riding culture based on one event YouCanImagine? Obviously you are confusing one event with an entire culture. Trying to paint everyone who rides in a western saddle as crude and lacking in horsemanship is like saying every English rider can ride like Klimke or Morris. Which is utterly laughable. Or are you purposely ignoring the fact that the english world used to and I’m sure still has people who employ poling as a training tactic and you all do have Anky, among others. Perhaps you didn’t realize that the western version of the tiedown is actually a derivative of the standing martingale or that the english world gave us westerners the running martingale and the draw reins, as well as the brutal thin, twisted wire snaffle. Ignorance and lack of horsemanship abounds in both disciplines YouCanImagine. Careful with that brushstroke.
*golf clap*
Thanks for the info… I figured it was something like that…
Yahoos and testosterone junkies are universal. Heck there are probably redneck aliens in distant galaxies….
Also thank you for demystifying the “Native American Experience” a little. I know a couple of folks (now grownup professionals) who spent parts of their youth on the rez, and it’s hilarious to see their “patient neutral polite face” when someone comes up to them and says “MY great great great great grandmother was an Indian princess!”
Made me sick too. The sound of the horse going through the fence, well I had to pause the video a minute before finishing it.
The problem is that often these are people who present themselves as representing the Western lifestyle and defend their behavior as a “Western Tradition.” I’m from the South and sometimes I encounter Northerners who have seen extremist racists who claim to be the epitome of what “Southern” means. The remedy is the same – stand up and shout, that’s not what we’re about! We hate those people as much as you do!
Holy shit. That is not something that ‘western folks’ are ‘into’, that is a massive case of testosterone poisoning coupled with a helping of stupidity and a heaping dose of cruelty.
I couldn’t help noticing that they’re “racing” very small (and presumably young) horses, they’re able to physically restrain them. I’d like to see them try it with the mustangs that are half draft. Nope, not man enough for that, apparently.
Amen to that, you beat me to it. I’d like to see them try that bullshit with a man-sized horse.
I actually found a video of that. I’m not posting a link here, just so no-one clicks on it without realizing what they’re getting into. It’s NOT pretty. It includes a horse going up and over inside the start pen (it does get back up), a human getting trampled, and one horse on the ground not moving at the end. If you couldn’t finish the first video linked in this comment thread, don’t watch this one. If you really want to see it, go to Youtube and search for “Wild Horse Race Warm Springs Root Feast”. Turns out full-sized horses really can kick your ass if you try stupid shit with them. But they’re more likely to kill themselves.
I’m off to watch Stacey Westfall in an attempt to get those images out of my head.
Almost every rodeo I have ever been to other than college rodeo has featured the wild horse race. Personally I find it barbaric. They certainly aren’t bronc stock, and they are either reservation ponies or horses on the way to the kill pen. This is not at all representative of most western folk, most are kind to their horses and find this just as abhorrent as “english” people.
I am a dressage rider, but have been around rodeo for many years, I won’t even go now. People say rodeo is cruel but far worse is how calf ropers practice and what they practice on.
Ayup, that’s what us western folk are all about. just showin’ ‘em who’s boss and gittin’ er rode.
What I don’t understand abouy you english folk is, why y’all are into sticking yer crops up your asses?
“Mug the Fug bus” is brilliant! Good thing I wasn’t having a drink when I read that, it would have been everywhere!
I think the palomino colt has potential – so much so that I’d like to know — what Craigslist area is he located in?
719-683-9521…Denver or Colorado Springs CO
honestly, the 7yr old colt has a look on his eyes that say “please take me home, hug me, geld me, and let me be a nice quiet hobby horse”…
I really appreciate the chance to educate my “eye” on these conformationally challenged horses. I also like the idea of a MTF Bus, just think of all the drama that could be prevented with several of these Buses rolling around the country. I think I just figured out what I am going to do if I ever win the MegaMillions Jackpot.
As for how good horses end up on Craig’s List I think some horses just have the bad luck of being owned by ignorant and/or inexperienced people who think CL is a good place to market their horse. I just witnessed such a fiasco. Horse crazy kid who thinks they know more then they really do comes into a bit of money buys a nice older, well behaved stallion from what appeared to be a reputable farm, has dreams of breeding Sport Ponies, after a few months the reality is that even older well behaved stallions aren’t welcome at all facilities and board adds up fast, OWB Stallion ends up on Craigslist. The begining of that slippery slope for too many good horses, passed from one owner to the next, until they are too aged or broken to be of interest to anyone but the Kill Buyer.
Who knows maybe the unfortunate colts that were highlighted here today will turn out to be Diamonds in the Rough and find Forever Homes that will leave them well cared for and happy as a horse can be. With a lot of luck the Palomino colt and his Dam will end up with a family who knows how to care for them so they can live up to their full potential. With even more luck the Older, Well Mannered Stallion will find a place that values his years of training and pedigree giving him a Forever Home that allows him to live out the Golden Years of his life in a Horse Heaven on Earth.
As you can see winning the Lottery is not the only thing I dream about.
Mugs! I’m so pleased that you’re writing the blog now, I love Mugwump Chronicles. Thought I recognized the writing style but couldn’t be sure. Can’t wait to read more of your commonsense snark, I actually prefer your writing style to Cathy’s. Less swearing. Mugwump has been my comfort blog for ages even if I don’t tend to comment
No comment….(thanks).
I’m kinda liking Fugly Mugs. But it seems like Mugly is getting the nod. I’m thrilled we have a somewhat familiar name/face taking over the blog!
I have a soft spot for palos- so yeah I’d go for the last guy hands down. The 7 yr old looks like a mini to me if you’re just looking at the body.
Meant to comment on the WP stuff- most of those horse don’t wring their tails, as opposed to dressage. They probably would more if they could- but tail blocking kind of makes that difficult.
There’s a difference between an upset horse “wringing” or “switching” its tail, and a horse who’s using its tail as a balancing extension of its body (like a cat or dog), or a horse who just likes to wave his tail around ( google Nautical sometime: “The Horse with the Flying Tail.”) I think people are starting to lose the ability to differentiate, and think that ALL tail movement signifies disobedience, pain or annoyance. Not true.
Absolutely! A horse can’t do tempi or extreme collection without moving the tail. If you watch a good horse do tempi of less than three strides, you’ll see a distinct ‘swing’ to the tail as the horse shifts his balance from side to side…it’s quite different from lashing or wringing and is both for balance and an unavoidable result of the swinging of the hips. You’ll see quite a bit of tail movement in pirouettes and extreme collection too… And I’m betting, although I know less about the discipline, you’ll see a heck a lot of tail action in a cutting or roping class. You’re right, though, some people are losing the ability to differentiate between a horse *using* its tail (they have them for a reason, after all) and a horse that’s expressing distaste at its rider.
Linguistically speaking, sometimes I think there’s a mighty fine line between horses and houses advertised for sale. Ever noticed that? There should be a phrase book available for the translation of terminology when attempting to purchase either one. In housing, the word quaint usually means a claustrophobic cracker box, secluded means the house is in eastern Siberia somewhere with no access to anything, and lots of privacy means you could keel over dead and nobody would find the body for at least a month.
In horsing, lots of get up and go usually means he’ll shoot out from under you at any given moment, prospect means we haven’t done piddly squat with him yet, and any stud over the age of 3 usually means somebody didn’t want to cough up the clams to get him gelded.
P.S. I’m very glad you opted to pick up the reins here, and I like Mugly for a handle too (you know, like “Mugly’s Fugly Hotd” – it just flows *laugh* ;o)
Interesting — conformation preferences will definitely be discipline specific. Do you think there will be a possibility of other eyes weighing in on future columns, would be great to read what folks from different backgrounds see.
I’m an eventer (LOL, obviously) and find the neck and shoulder on the grulla colt quite simply heinous — I would never purchase a horse with those attributes as lifting the front end for dressage and jumping and finding a long sweeping trot would be akin to banging one’s head against the wall. Similarly, out of all colts, I like the 7 year old’s neck and shoulder best and if he wasn’t standing so goofy, he wouldn’t be a bad looking (gelding) at all.
We’re definitely going to have to have an event specific conformation set-up going here, I couldn’t get anything done with the 7-year-old except WTC – SELL!
I’m going to have to have differnt eyes, I’m comfortable with stock horse breeds and Fugly’s, we’ll get it sorted out and have some good conformation posta about different breeds soon. I guess we’ll look into different types within the breeds, I’ll need help there even in the QH.
Even when you technically KNOW that certain attributes are valuable for certain events (that you aren’t into), I think it is true that what you ARE into colors your judgment to some point.
For example, with me, I HATE LONG BACKS because my discipline is polo and long-backed horses play like shit and are a lot of work to keep tuned up so that they can even play in a mediocre way. They are just not built for the job. So I see a long back and immediately go YUCK whereas I see something like a high set neck or shark fin withers and that doesn’t bother me so much (whereas I am sure, if you are a WP person, your visceral reaction to that is also YUCK).
Good to see you here. I agree with your point. I cannot stand long backs, straight shoulders, or low- set necks. That is because for every Arabian discipline those are deal-breakers. Also, I will not buy a horse with a broken pastern/ hoof angle. That is just asking for Navicular problems.
Someone on here was telling me I was an idiot because I said I could predict Navicular from conformation and how they trotted. Sorry but I absolutely can and you know what I am talking about. I need to get pics/trot video of a horse I take care of right now as she is the poster child for DESTINED-FOR-NAVICULAR.
I can say with 100% certainty that a horse with long toe, low heel on the foot and a normal to upright pastern will have Navicular issues. That conformation puts so much strain on all of the supporting structures around the Navicular bone. I cannot say that there will be changes to the bone itself, but the suspensory of the Navicluar, the Navicular bursa, and the DDFT will have issues.
That is so true. I have seen a good farrier fix horses that were purportedly navicular by simply bringing the foot back into line. NO ONE can predict a horse is guaranteed to get navicular by looking at their conformation and watching them trot BEFORE they are actually showing signs of being lame. And you cannot determine if it is actually navicular syndrome unless you have x-rays or radiographs done. I have been around far too many horses that people said would never stay sound and they did and then watched horses that weren’t likely candidates for navicular being to show signs of front-end lameness. Nine times out of ten it is due to extremely poor farrier work. Either forcing the foot to stay small and stand in an upright position, like what we see on so many halter horses OR like Arabtrainer noted, long toes and contracted, underslung heels. Bring the angles back into line, let the foot spread out and it’s amazing how quickly most horses will become sound and stay that way. People really need to stop blaming conformation alone for what man messes up with his deluded manipulations.
Generally I don’t like asking for help, especially on the net, however I’m in need of transportation for one horse. My sister recently broke it off with her boyfriend after some threats to his and her safety were made by him, and she’s moving out of state. Everything is set except for the move of her horse; he’s got a nice barn she’s taking him to, but no way to get him there.
She’s currently staying at a friend’s place but has limited internet (i.e. only at work and we all know you shouldn’t be looking around for horse transport while one company time) and she’s worried about anything happening to him while she’s staying elsewhere since her ex is similar to many of the jerks described previously on this blog – not someone you should date or leave with your animals.
I’m posting here just to be nice and try and help her out, I don’t know all the logistics she has planned as far as when, but the trip would be from around the Linden area of Michigan to near Franksville, Wisconsin (near Racine). Her email address is Dnmartin2010 (at) gmail (dot) com and she’d love any help she can get finding someone to help her out – not looking for a hand out, just trying to find a trailer!
There’s a company http://www.zeiglerlivestocktransport.com that posts on the MN TCCT list about cross country transport.
She could call a few national transporters and see if they have loads going that way. I can personally recommend Nobody’s Business Farm (National, high end horses mostly, driven by horsemen, fleet of well-maintained vehicles, etc), and have heard good things about Brookledge.
It’s totally making my day watching people back-peddle.
“I HATE YOU, NEW FUGLY! I HATE YOU! YOU ARE THE HAIRBALL THAT CLOGS MY DRAINS! YOU ARE THE AUDITOR THAT WANTS TO LOOK AT MY BOOKS (<—lines plagiarized from Darkwing Duck episodes)! YOU ARE…. Oh, wait. You’re Mugwumps? Oh, hiiiii! I’m your biggest fan! I love you so much! Great job on the new blog!”
Were there people hating on her like that lol? Mugwup has been writing on the Internet and lurking on Fugly too long to expect a sunshine-and-butterflies welcome
. Though the proportion of commentors that have been reading this blog for years while apparently hating how Fugly ran it is bringing out my popcorn GIFs.
I like Mugwup. It’s a good handle. Though I’ll probably be calling her Mugs all the time XD.
LSHIP (laughed so hard I peed)
Triple Dog Dare!!!
There are reasons that I do not look at my local Craigs List. It is just too sad to do so. Except for the weanling, none of those horses are likely to end up in a good life.
You picked some alright. Just what the some are, I haven’t the words.
Good post.
I’ll reread the confo critiques when I next have time, but I wanted to say I’m glad you introduced yourself! I think a lot of people were iffed that you were “trying” to be Fugly with no introduction- just a voice that was a little “off” from Cathy. Now that we know who you are and it’s established that you’re a different person (because hey, it’s the internet and we get fooled!) I really enjoyed this post, and I enjoy your voice and style. Looking forward to more!
http://sunshineacresranch.com
There are a WHOLE herd of should be geldings here. Make sure to check out “Zip” the palomino that she claims is “homozygos” to throw color. When asked about this, she seems oblivious to the fact that only cremellos and perlinos are homozygous for cream. Wow, they are all done nothing produced nothing fugly horses. Just mind blowing in this day and age that in this market people do this. There is also a stallion with a 2 or 3 year old child on him TIED to a fence. Wow.
They also “minister” through colt breaking.Mission Statement:
Romance Roundpen Ministries works to show:
Natural man in un-broke colts;
Carnal man in rebellious horses;
Spiritual man in submitted, respectful, trained horses
comparing this with God’s work in us while working with colts and/or horses in the round pen.
Is this one that was featured here or a link was posted to a youtube video a little while ago? Where they “broke” colts in 20 minutes (?) while praying?
What I love best about the “breaking” analogy is that horses can get along just fine without being broke… pasture puff horses may even be happier than highly-trained show horses and the training darned tootin doesn’t benefit the horse any. Are they trying to say that people would be happier without God? Somehow I don’t think that’s the message!
Oh dear sweet lord and baby jeebers, please don’t let this horse kick the everlovin’ snot out o’ me, even though I deserve it. (Sorry, I know someone who ‘ministers’ through horses, too….except their God is a hateful, vengeful god and the sign at the end of their driveway reads “Ministy” instead of “Ministry”…………………….)
Maybe you are being too tough on them. It might be that they realize how miserably they are doing, and that what they really forgot to add was a hyphon: Mini-sty
A smaller version of a great big pig sty.
I will NEVER understand that whole Cowboy-Jesus thing. It’s kind of like Bikers for Christ, I guess.
I swear at least 48% of “Christians” do it for the T-shirts and meeting datable people at church.
Oh, dear, oh, dear. Go to the “Events” page of Sunshine Acres and check out how little children are perched on the horses. Now, I have to say I’m not a horse person — I follow the Fugly blog because I’m interested in animal welfare. But the pictures of the kids amazed me, especially the one of the baby in a baby carrier on the mom’s back while she was on the horse… That really made my draw drop. Comments, actual horse people? Am I right that this is CRAZY?
Hello all,
I just happened across this blog. So, it is my first posting (That’s a given). I was trying to find out who was putting ads for our ranch on Craigslist; other then mine. I’m glad I found this site though, very funny and useful information. I have to admit I do list ads for our ranch on Craigslist with links to our website. It has been very good free advertising. Of course it is not our only means of advertising. Well to get down to it half way up these comments some how our ranch was brought up with the link to our website. Funny because all the other photos and ads have the information of the owner marked out. Ours on the other hand is putting down our entire operation which is not very cool. I don’t know who you are Newcanyhorses or how you no of our ranch, but obviously you don’t know us to well. Maybe you were one of those dumb people that come out thinking they were going to buy a pure breed, kid proof horse for two hundred dollars. Who knows? For the other people who jumped on the band wagon maybe you should know some stuff about the person you are talking bad about before you say anything. So here is the link to my mom’s testimonial to better acquaint you. Even if you are not the church type it is still worth reading. http://sunshineacresranch.com/aboutsandy.html
Yes that is my daughter with my mom on the horses. Yes she has been riding by her self since she was three just like me. Only this time it was on purpose. My mom figured she better help her on one with saddle, bridle, and one she knows that can be trusted. Rather then looking over one day, and finding her on the back of a two year old with only a halter and lead out in the field with the rest of the horses; Like she did with me when I was three. She will be turning six this December and knock on wood no accidents yet. When you live and work with horses though you know it is only a matter of time. It is a price we all have to pay for the joy of a horse’s company. Now I have to admit I never was one for showing or conformation that was my mom’s thing. I know in my eyes we have some of the best looking horses I have ever seen. That could be like a parents love; they all think their baby is the cutest in the world when some really look like little aliens. Sure we have a lot that need a lot of attention. My mom does the best she can taking care of 80 horses, 70 sheep, 70 goats, 220 acres, a five year old, and a teen age foreign exchange student all by her self. Just last week she managed to take a church youth group of around twenty kids ages 8 and up out on a three hour trail ride again by herself with out any accidents. Not a whole lot of people or places can pull that off. I know like it has been said by many people in the comments everyone has different key things that they look at on a horse it all depends on what you plan to use them for. Now yall are all probably wondering this. I said that was my daughter, I do the ads on craigslist, and well Im on here defending my mom. So, why do I say she has to do everything by her self? Because, I have been in the military for the last ten years; I am a single father that unfortunately got deployed two years ago. Now I only get to come home twice a year if Im lucky. Right now it has almost been six months. So, when I do get my leave. Which most people think is vacation time. It is my time to work with the horses (I don’t like saying breaking them if anything Im fixing them) also fixing fences, barns, equipment and everything else that has to do with farm life. Ok well I think that is enough of one novel for tonight. So, good night all and happy blogging.
Now you all know. I was super happy that my buyer went along with my recommendation because while I know that Mugs and I do not agree on everything, we are totally in agreement about horse care, the horse coming first, the horse being slotted into the correct discipline for the HORSE (not the owner), and that people need to stop breeding what doesn’t sell and can’t find a home. Past that, I think the variety is just what the blog needs – a breath of fresh (hot) air and opinion that I am sure will create plenty to talk about!
FYI, I think the best thing Mugs has written to date was her blog about the concept of release and why you don’t ride a horse in twelve classes at his first show just because he’s being so good. If you have not yet read that, you should. Everyone who rides a horse should read it.
I knew that was you, thanks for coming back to check on things. You made a good choice.
Hi Cathy!
Egads… I am never turning down a road again where it says “tent sale”. Instead of a tent sale there were 3 very sad looking “free” horses. I’m taking home the gelding (even though I totally don’t need another horse AT ALL) but I’m hoping to find some homes for 2 very nice looking 5 or 6 year old arab mares. (pics on my blog at: http://36andsingle.blogspot.com/) They are unbroke, unregistered (of course) and basically a clean slate. Any takers here in Oregon? Bend area to be specific…
By the way, why would anyone cross a National Show Horse (which is an Arab/Saddlebred cross I believe) with a Thoroughbred? Sheesh, people… there’s already enough crap out there. Good thing I loved his face.
DUDE. NSH + TB?????? Dude.
You are a saint.
Shockingly enough, I think he’ll look pretty decent once I put some weight on him. And so far, he’s been a pleasure to deal with. He walked right onto the trailer even though before last night he had never seen one before… Of course, for grain he probably would have followed me into the depths of hell. Poor thing…
“Shockingly enough, I think he’ll look pretty decent once I put some weight on him.”
So do I. He does look very sweet, and I hope he stays that way once he’s fat and sassy. I don’t know if you got him thinking that you could feed him and find him a better home, but he looks like the kind that could make you fall in love so hard, you’d never consider letting him go. He could also be a very good mover, I’d like to see it. I hope for your sake that he is, and that he stays sound for you.
Congratulations and best luck to you both! He looks like a good old guy, how are you planning to use him?
Well, I’m not sure how he’ll get used just yet… although as I was watching the horses run around the pasture last night his big, floaty trot definitely got my attention. Flash (my endurance horse) and he were side by side and as I watched Flash’s back bounce around (very upright shoulder) and Goodwin’s back remain level I must admit I started wondering if he’ll like to go long distances
Either way, I think he’s going to be a keeper. His personality alone makes me just love him. Only 2 days at my property and he already comes up to the fence for a snuggle and some love. Considering he’s never really been handled, I’m kinda digging that…
Keep an eye on my blog. I’ll be talking about how he’s doing over there. I’m hoping in a month I can show you a somewhat fatter equine…
Life’s A Beach
http://36andsingle.blogspot.com/
he is a looker…with some muscle and fat on him he will look stunning no matter what you use him for…not gonna lie…i’m a little jealous…though i am in no position to take in a horse (damned being a student living far away from any boarding facilities and living on peanuts and canned beans) i would love to stumble across a freebie like him…*goes back to oggle some more* (of course i have a soft spot for the red ones…so that might be part of it ^_~)
That’s so funny
I have a National Show Horse (you are correct, it’s Arab/Saddlebred, but the proportions of each in the mix can vary a lot in the breed, so the horses can all look pretty different), and I once had a top level dressage trainer compliment her and call her a TB (She looks nothing like a TB, btw, though we get morgan guesed a lot). So maybe there is something you and I don’t see, but that screams “add random TB to me” in NSH. That or backyard breeding at it’s finest 
Congrats on your new fellow. I may be very biased, but I think anything with NSH in it is going to turn out great.
I’ve seen NSH’s with BREATHTAKING movement: extension AND elevation. I think certain of them would make fantastic dressage horses.
And then, I’ve seen NSH’s with long, homely heads & necks, and suffering from general weediness.
Just like any other horse… you should study your proposed match, then breed the best to the best, then cross your fingers.
In the past, I worked two QH-Saddlebred crosses that somehow wound up in polo. Goofiest looking, goofiest moving critters EVER. That is the #1 cross that just makes me go WTF? I mean, the two breeds have nothing in common with each other in terms of ideal conformation or the disciplines they excel at. I just don’t get it.
Actually, the palomino colt is downhill, and I don’t care if he is in a growth spurt, I’m pretty stubborn about that particular trait. Call me when he’s level or uphill, and we’ll talk. My personal pet peeve on quarter horses is the sheer number of them who are allowed to breed even when they are downhill. To me, that’s almost the single BIGGEST fault a horse can have, because it causes so many other issues that the horse must try to compensate for. I’m aware that babies go butt high first, but I’m tired of seeing that used as an excuse. Far too many horses are ‘growing’ for years, it seems, and yet always in a downhill phase.
I did see someone compliment his long cannon bones, which confused me. I was always raised to believe that short cannons are what is desirable. Has that changed?
OK, I chalked up his high butt to being a baby, but yeah, it is so sad that people are breeding for downhillness. There’s a difference between “bulldog” build – a well-balanced, compact horse with a big powerful back end – and a downhill horse.
Yeah, as far as I know, short cannons are the universal ideal regardless of breed or discipline.
It may be that this colt will be downhill, but I’ve seen them seesaw back and forth as they grow and end up level in the end. I like his short back, shoulder and hip a lot and for the price I”d take a chance on the cannon and potential downhill build, IF I were buying to train and sell. If I wanted to keep him as my *forever and ever* horse I’d be more picky and would want to see if the mare or stallion were downhill.
This is totally not on subject, but I saw the new Conan movie this weekend. While I really enjoyed looking at Jason Momoa and I love a good Sword and Sorcery, (and the original Conan books,) I was dismayed at the apparent abuse of the horses! I know movie horses can be trained to ‘fall’, but at least one horse seemed to be the victim of a trip line. The movie was filmed in Bolivia so I know they don’t have to adhere to American standards, but I am disappointed that the American writers and producers, knowing that animal actor welfare is closely monitored in the US chose to disregard what looks like basic animal care and concern in favor of the budget. Does any one know any facts? Was the horse action clever CGI, (I kinda doubt it,) or were those horses being tripped and pulled over?
I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the horse action in “Cowboys and Aliens,” either, since you mention it. That WAS made in the US, but I’m darned if I know how they did it without busting up some equines pretty good. Especially in the epic battle scene, where horses and riders were going down like ninepins….
I wanted to stay and look in the credits for the standard boilerplate about the animal action being monitored by the ASPCA but Hubby and son were anxious to depart, so I’m just hoping it was there and it was all “movie magic.”
The horse falls in Lord of the Rings were all CG (computer graphics), including the entire battle scene with the giant elephants. CG of humans still isn’t always convincing, but they’re pretty darn good at horses, especially when it’s a brief shot at a distance that’s confused by other action. The animators often watch footage of real horses to help get the movements right – it’s possible that the apparent wire trip in Conan was the result of an animator watching an old movie that used one and copying all the movements without realizing what he was looking at. Unless we start hearing rumors otherwise, I wouldn’t worry about animal cruelty on the set too much. The ‘no animals were harmed’ information’s got to be available online somewhere, though.
OT… does anyone remember the name of the video of the drill team that removes their saddles while cantering and then jumps holding the saddles over their heads???
I KNOW I’ve seen that, and although my memory could be fuzzy, I believe it was some exhibition by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Welcome new Fugly. I am enjoying seeing the blog get back to what it started out to be — a critique, often light-hearted and funny, about F-ugly horses and why they should not be bred, and stupid training practices. Cathy is a brilliant writer, but in the last year or so the blog had become almost 100% about rescue. That’s an important topic too (and closely linked with fugly horse breeding) but not what I came to the blog to read.
Also thanks for lightening up the language to a tone I can share with my children. And thanks for not posting the names/links of the people you are out-ing. I know from my own work with animals that many, if not most, people who make mistakes are not doing it deliberately; they are simply ignorant. And many truly do love their butt-ugly, ill-trained mounts (and the helmet-less children they plop on the saddles). Polite, patient education will go much farther to change the welfare of all involved, than will name-calling and foul language.
Heck I dont think any of them are stallion worthy. I dont think a damned one of them should be left of thier “jewels” though the last specimen would definatly have to prove its worth reletively early to make me want to consider for Breeding prospect. Just because it looks half way decent and has a pedigree doesnt mean its worth a pair of balls. But I would give him time to mature a little bit more and see what his good points are and possible prospect before getting out the scapel.
I’m glad that the writer that has taken over is worth reading! Thought I recognized the writing style, but I wasn’t sure if it was just Fugs going back to how things were in the beginning, until you confirmed it was a new writer. I love your other blog and lurk often. I’ve officially returned as a regular reader of FHOTD.
I have an idea on a way to set up a conformation clinic…. what is the best way to get it to you?
CL “stud prospect”
Cuz he’s bloo??
Grulla Appy colt
Cuz he is Krazy Kolored and has 2 white hind sox!
7 yr odl sdut hoss
Wall he is jental n tied up reel short
an I like de fact he is a tracker, and he stears!
Chocolate Paly stud colt
Oooohhh more white sox, and he can have the name Dun it and
Hollywood in his name…
Plus he is blonde and fer 850, I can’s breed him to my fugly grade
mare and make all me mone bak…
(not really but sounded funny)
TB stud
Please me to either kill my stud, or charge you stud fee’s because I can’t keep him in his pasture/run, and I don’t want to actually care for him and keep him in apropriate quarters…
(oops sorry, I meant to say why I would want him..)
I wanna buy this sport horse spoopurb stalion, an keep him all natural
like and I will buy my own food, n hay n gwain and pweety bwankets, cuz he comes from horses that runned races and he has a purdy mouth.
Sorry, Mugs, didn’t mean to make you feel ill, and I wasn’t even aware that Native People were in that video. It’s a sport for white folks, too. I just can’t wrap my head around the word “mug” having anything to do with horsemanship. There is no point discussing it, as people must say Oh, this is worse, or that is horrible. I’m talking basic horse handling. So maybe if Anky had bitten Salinero more often, he wouldn’t have bolted?
Western is the only discipline where this is deemed a traditional sport. If it is indeed tradition, perhaps (for horses’ sakes) it should be delegated to the history vaults. Google Wild Horse Race 2011. Watch the fun. “Biting ears are banned” eh? Not so much. Mugging is a HOOT.
Is it truly possible to trust this type of horse “handling” to amateurs? To celebrate it? A horse put through that type of “handling” couldn’t possibly ever trust any human again, could it?
never mind. I was just asking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ybW-R2VCQ
I want to take a moment to vent on a couple of pet peeves these brought to mind…
PEOPLE – horses are not “out of” stallions!!!! They are BY the sire and OUT OF the dam. I will disregard an ad immediately if a horseperson is not professional enough to know this.
Why does the cowboy set refer to all young horses (generally in group form) as “colts”? As a veterinarian, that drives me absolutely nuts! When asked about a particular female, they can generally come up with the word “filly”, so obviously they know the difference. Why use language that makes you sound ignorant?
Also – you’re already a little behind the 8 ball if you’re going to advertise a CHEAP “stud” (that word makes me shudder) prospect on Craig’s list without bothering to take a decent photo… but then you can’t even take 30 seconds to spell check? Do you really expect anyone to take you seriously?
P.S. Can I volunteer to provide my services on the Bus??
Ponie, that’s actually perfectly correct, if a little archaic, in certain parts of the country. All young horses are colts, and if you have to be specific you refer to a ‘filly’ or a ‘stud colt’. It’s not ignorant usage, it’s regional usage. It would be the same thing to call somebody from England ignorant because they call a buckskin horse a ‘dun’…traditionally, the two colors are not distinguished in British English.
Omg! I was so sorry to hear that this blog was being sold… I thought it could never reach it’s former awesomeness. I am so relieved to hear it’s you! Happy to hear that I can keep looking forward to reading it. I’ve been following this and mugwump chronicles for about three years, but only started commenting this week.
Has nobody else noticed the first one appears to have a deformed fetlock on the off side front leg? It looks like a frikken softball!