We have been presenting foals at inspection with
ISR/Oldenburg N.A. since 2004. The timing of these inspections has gotten later and later in the year and this year it was scheduled for September 11. Not only did I not like the date (9/11), but one of our foals would be 5 months old, needing to be weaned, and probably starting to go through a growth spurt. Over the years I have noted that frequently the foals score higher if they are 3 months old or
younger. I think this is mainly due to their conformation at that time. Around 4 to 6 months many foals begin a growth period that puts them on their forehand and affects their gaits negatively. Since the foals are scored on their Conformation, Gaits, and Overall Impression, I don't think that a big growth period is a good time for them to be presented. We have had many premium foals over the years and even the one's that did not get a premium score were within .5 or less of achieving that goal. I've watched them grow and several went through some pretty ugly stages before emerging around 3 -4 years of age with the promise they showed in the first three months.
The judge for these inspections, Christian Schacht, also presents educational clinics on conformation, training, and riding. I had been talking with him about doing one at our farm this year and when he told me that I could also combine my inspection (we have a private one so that we don't have to transport 6 or more horses every year) with the clinic in June, I was sold. Our foals would be 1 -2 months old at that time. The inspection was a success with 2 premium foals (the 3rd was only .10 short) and a premium mare. As a bonus the clinics on Free Jumping and the History of Conformation were so educational that I plan on having him return for more clinics. He also gave Melissa a lesson on
Patrick that was so impressive - I have seldom seen either one of them look so good!
The fillies that had premium scores are definitely wonderful Sport Horse prospects with beautiful gaits and conformation, but I wonder if they could have shown it as well in September as they did in June. I wonder why ISR/Oldenburg is doing the inspections so late in Michigan. I am thinking that if this trend continues, I will breed later. I would like to hear from other breeders - do you think that the conformation and gaits of young horses are better at certain stages, or is a premium foal premium at any age?