Conformation of the Young Horse at Inspection or Kuering

Penelope - 2010 Premium Filly

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?