|
|
Post by angelsdream on Jan 20, 2008 19:54:56 GMT -5
WOW! Dianne, she's gorgeous!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by kigerfan on Jan 20, 2008 20:14:58 GMT -5
She's beautiful. I'd love to see more like her come off the Kiger ranges for sure.
|
|
|
|
Post by desperatehorsewife on Jan 20, 2008 21:28:45 GMT -5
If that doesn't look like a Breyer model horse, I don't know what does!
I suspect there will be some nice horses (aside from some straight shoulders) once they put on some weight and muscling. It can be very hard to see past that sometimes.
|
|
|
|
Post by spanishsagegrullas on Jan 20, 2008 21:57:13 GMT -5
Normally, I would not comment on someone else’s horse, but since LadyRose was posted as an example, I will respectfully point out some aspects that need to be considered.
I do think that we all need to be very careful in what evaluating what needs to be pulled from the herds and what should go back. Granted, the picture of LadyRose is a beautiful one, with lovely flowing long mane and tail and nice animated movement. And clearly she is well cared for. However, there are two main aspects that she demonstrates as to why she would not be a good candidate to remain in the herd
First and foremost is that she has an Arabian type head; a dished profile. Such a head shape is not an Iberian characteristic, is not acceptable to any Iberian breed registry, and should be discouraged from continuation in the Kiger lines. It usually indicates Arabian influence. This is the most insidious problem I see with the Kigers today.
Secondly, her body type seems somewhat on the heavy side. Her bone structure is not big, at least judging from her legs, but her body mass, in particular in the front end, is significant. Especially for a mare. Since she is not broke to ride, I know that is not from any specialized training. Perhaps she is fat, but I am not sure that is the case, because you can see her shoulder muscles and buttock muscles clearly. In fact, she looked somewhat that way in pictures I have of her while she was in the pens. She is very deep in the chest, and that, coupled with muscle mass of a heavier type horse, than a light, Iberian horse, is another reason to pull that conformational trait out of the breeding herd.
On the positive side, she is well proportioned, carries herself well and in balance, and is a beautiful dun.
Diane P.
|
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Jan 21, 2008 0:59:54 GMT -5
Well, according to Dr. Cochran there isn't any Arab blood that we have to watch out for in the Kigers. She is heavy, she gave birth two days earlier. Her head may not be Spanish enough for you Diane, and that's OK because we like different types of horses. She was seven when adopted so was put back by Ron Harding once in 1999. Her shoulder is powerful, but the real shortcoming is that she has a chest with a U instead of a V where her legs tie in. But no horse is perfect, certainly none of mine.
She would not pass a PRE inspection for temperament either. Whether its from being wild so long or a naturally suspicious nature I don't know, but she is still snorty, although sweet. However, her amazing foals are a joy to train and have none of her faults when crossed with Bravo. We'll see how her foal with Chinny looks this summer.
I'm not sure what her pictures in the pens looked like since she wasn't in the brochure or bid on during the adoption. How do you know which horse she was? I'd like to see them if you would post them please.
|
|
|
|
Post by JoanMRK on Jan 21, 2008 17:28:34 GMT -5
I think she's gorgeous Dianne. I DO NOT care for the supposed "Iberian" characteristic profiles I've seen around the Kiger world. I think the more attractive heads, though not arab, should be a goal.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Jan 21, 2008 21:10:42 GMT -5
Joan, I agree that a more attractive head should be the goal, even though I prefer an ox-head! Most folks do not and as I breeder I have to remind myself that I am not my customer! That head is equated with Royalty, as the some of the best bloodlines in Spain/Portugal (mainly the Lusos) include that head as a calling card. When I see that head, I know what the lineage is prevalent in and that is what excites me about that shape! Interestingly, I have seen this alot in younger horses and it tends to flatten out as they grow - not only Kigers, but other Iberian type breeds.
For instance, the filly I bought Sage (Hija) with had a nice Iberian head and it has flattened out...
|
|
|
|
Post by JoanMRK on Jan 21, 2008 23:33:35 GMT -5
I agree Michelle. I had a filly here who's sire and dam both have a flat profile and she was fairly dishy up through one year. Once she was two, it flattened and now is very nice and attractive.
You said what I had in mind, your customers don't appreciate the real round profile as some confuse it with roman nose / flaw. I prefer a nice shape, nice eyes, wide between the eyes, flat profile.
|
|
|
|
Post by idahomustanger on Jan 22, 2008 9:49:49 GMT -5
Hi Joan - good to see you here! Who's that in your Avatar? I definitely prefer the straight profile to the convex profile in the Kigers. I also prefer them to be wide between the eyes with a big eye. I guess it's a matter of personal preference!
|
|
|
|
Post by JoanMRK on Jan 22, 2008 11:07:52 GMT -5
Hi Nancy! Thanks!
My avatar is MRK Annie Oakley, the first foal born on the ranch almost six years ago now!
|
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Jan 22, 2008 12:15:02 GMT -5
She's looking great Joan!
There are both types, what I call Sorraia and old Andalusian, that naturally occur in the Kiger herds. We should keep both of them I think. I got Chinny and Smoke (who was in the old Sorraia Mustang registry) at the same time and although I love them both, I prefer Chinny's type. I was going to keep Smoke a stallion for one breeding (he was three when I bought him) and then I went to see his dam to see what kind of genes he came from. I decided on the spot to have Smoke gelded because I didn't like her strongly curved, convex head. Like many others who are coming from QH, Morgan TB backgrounds I had just never seen one before and thought faces should be straight or dished. I think as people see more convex type they will come to love it as some do already. But I suspect my preference will always be straight to slightly convex.
|
|
|
|
Post by spanishsagegrullas on Jan 22, 2008 16:00:48 GMT -5
Dianne, I hope you got my emailed pics of LadyRose in the pens. Just to point out to the rest of you that a dished/concave profile is NOT an Iberian characteristic, and a sub-convex profile (which also does not include flat between the eyes) -- a rounded appearance from the poll to the nose is not a "so-called" Iberian characteristic, but a bona fide one. Despite what personal tastes might be.
Diane P.
|
|
|
|
Post by MustangsInNC on Jan 26, 2008 23:43:37 GMT -5
So I'm the high bidder so far on "my" colt, lol. I'm so excited I just can't stand it! Another person near me is adopting too, so we'll trailer together and split the cost. The pickup site at the satellite adoption is about an 8 hour drive from me, and the Ewing IL site is about 10. So hopefully on Wed I'll be posting about my new boy! Everyone wish me luck please!
|
|
|
|
Post by fantasykiger on Jan 27, 2008 14:48:19 GMT -5
The best of luck  to you MustangInNC...it will so exciting to have you as a new Kiger Mustang owner, we welcome you to share all your adventures and stories with us here on the board. |
|
|
|
Post by desperatehorsewife on Jan 27, 2008 15:08:29 GMT -5
Refresh my memory...he's the cute faced fellow who's all fuzzy right now, right? Best of luck on him!
|
|
to you MustangInNC...it will so exciting to have you as a new Kiger Mustang owner, we welcome you to share all your adventures and stories with us here on the board.