Well, I have something special to share with you all! About a week ago I took some photos of Elvis after having body clipped him. This gave me the opportunity to step back and look at him for the first time in weeks without his blanket on. At the time I was in a rush, so I didn’t see what was standing before my eyes until I was at home and flipping through my photos. Apparently, Elvis has changed!
There are a few things that this year-long transformation illustrates, and I think it’s important that they be shared.
First, it’s the structure of the horse that matters. I’ve spent a lot of time learning how the horse’s body works and functional conformation. I’ve worked hard to develop an eye that can look past the surface layers, even the musculature of the horse, to see how his bones work together. Over the years I’ve seen tons of horses passed on because prospective buyers didn’t see the horse underneath.
Second, proper work produces proper conditioning, and this can transform a horse. Elvis still has a long way to go, he is only in the beginning stages of learning how to use his body. Each stage presents increasing challenges in movement and form, which need more strength for development. When done properly, the shape of the horse changes much.
Below is the photo taken by Elvis’s breeder last February, when I asked for recent shots and some video. This photo is the one I used most to make my decision, as well as a 30 second video clip of him walking. The photo showed his structure, and the video showed me arguably the most important gait when evaluating a horse.
(Please Note: Above photo was flipped horizontally to match the orientation of the photo below. This is why the socks don’t “match”.)
I laugh every time I see this photo! At first glance, he looks pretty unappealing. However, this is Elvis today…
I sent these two photos to Elvis’s breeder, Mary. She laughed also, and said she wouldn’t have known it was the same horse. I also sent the photos to my good friends, who helped me evaluate him last year, they too had a good laugh!
Mary did exactly what I had requested, and provided traditional sport horse evaluation materials for me as best she could – I mean, this was during a northern Wisconsin winter! I asked specifically for traditional conformation shots, and at least a walk video.
When I look at these photos today, I am proud of myself. I always champion a few things: type over breed, functional conformation, and the effects of correct work based in dressage. If I wanted to, I am sure I could find plenty of people who would argue these things with me until the cows come home. However, I’ll never change my stance and these photos are for me, a trophy.
I can’t wait to see the changes next February brings!
Nice photos and post. I hope Elvis continues to develop.
Thanks for visiting, Slamdunk! I just checked out your blog.. so glad you stopped by, because now I have another interesting place to visit! I too have a tendency to follow missing person cases.
WOW! You have every reason to be proud. What an amazing transformation, and after only one year. He looks amazing, healthy, happy, fit … maybe a little chilly, lol. 🙂 Truly an inspiration.
Erm…you makin’ fun of my photography skillz? LOL! It’s not the same horse, he’s an impostor. Hahaha! Great job Kayla!
LOL! I thought it was a Belgian! No offense Mary 😉
But what we have now is a fit, sleek sport horse. What a dish!
^I know it’s embarrassing. My husband didn’t think it really was him. LOL! I’m still not sure…
That doesn’t even look like the same horse! Amazing transformation. I like your perspective of looking deeper. I have a hard enough time looking at the conformation. I hope someday I have the experience to better judge and evaluate a horse’s potential.
How cool!!! I ride a Saddlebred too! Elvis is now in fantastic shape!
Enjoyed my visit!
Julie
http://www.ridingaside.blogspot.com
Very nice horse, he looks great. However, it is not the same horse as in the first picture, unless he changed his “socks” lol.
Hi Bodacious Gal!
I’m not sure if you are actually suggesting that I’m fibbing with my photographs, or if you are just being silly. I’ll hope for the latter.
For what it’s worth, the older photograph was actually flipped horizontally. It’s not ideal to compare to different sides of the horse, but 99% of the time it’s not a big issue and when referencing angles and balance it’s much better to do so with similarly placed subjects. So, I flipped the older photo to match the direction of the first photo.
You can trust me though, it’s the same horse. Why wouldn’t it be? Good observation though!
It was just an observation, that seemed odd to me, that’s all. I know when I get to looking at horses, they all start looking alike, especially the chestnuts, thought maybe the wrong picture was posted…no harm ment. Thanks for the explanation.
Elvis is getting to be a very handsome young man, and I enjoy reading your adventures. Ride On!