  Ms. Manners
Posts: 1820
  
Location: Oklahoma | hotpaints - 2014-01-01 7:15 AM I disagree that size is not important.........in the show hunter world, 14.3 - 15.2 is a dead zone. If the horse is 15.2 it better be a phenom to make it as a show hunter. Length of stride, quality of hunter type movement, jumping form, temperment, and conformation.........most hunter people will not even consider a prospect if the horse does not have that long, low, flat knee hunter movement.
USEF hunters and breed show hunters are two different markets. Here in Virginia, the hunter market is SO competitive and flooded with mediocro prospects of all breeds. If the horse is not extra special, expect to put years of training into them to get them sold at a so-so price here. This is why I am now turning one of our Welsh ponies into a barrel pony. :) She is going to be one of the prettiest, best bred Welsh barrel pony in the U.S. Her career change is coming because she is an odd size to make it as a high dollar medium hunter pony and she doesn't have the flatest knee movement either. So, I figured what the heck. Why keep trying to get her into the hunter pony world where she will be a hard sell or not as competitive.
With that said, I started and sold one of our Paints this summer as a dressage horse. A 3yo tobiano gelding bred to be a barrel horse and that was my plan for him. I posted a video of him in western tack with 45 days of riding on him just w/t/c both directions. He sold right away to a dressage trainer. He did not have great flat knee hunter movement but he was big, pretty, quiet and athletic. So, when you can get a video of your horse, don't worry about the type of tack. Think more of showcasing his quality of movement and don't worry about the tack.
THIS !!! Know the market you are selling to.
Clean, well-groomed horse in good fitting, clean tack (western saddle is okay, but use a snaffle to show he direct reins), with a video showing him at all gaits, transitions, stopping and backing. Close ups of his legs and feet while standing square on firm, level ground. Excelent pics - don't have to be pro, but a well groomed horse standing alert and square (or hunter stance) on firm, level surface with a quiet background. |
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