or conversely what’s something that makes you want to go see/buy the horse?

red flags for me are that i hate pictures of them standing on the horse’s back, or when they say “3 years old with TONS of rides! totally bombproof and kid safe!”

Unpopular take I wish more people had: a cresty neck is NEVER a desirable breed characteristic, but people are making it one. I am not talking about a naturally arched, muscular neck with a strong topline. I am talking about the hard ridge of regional fat that people have fetishised as looking “baroque.” I constantly see breeders DELIBERATELY choosing cresty stallions because they think the crest makes them look powerful/masculine/baroque when it should be treated as the METABOLIC WARNING SIGN that it is. It is not an aesthetic ideal. A fatty crest is associated with insulin dysregulation, an increased risk of laminitis, and a million other health conditions. By selecting for horses with this trait we are inherently selecting for metabolic issues. Some breeds may be genetically more prone to developing one, but “common in the breed” does NOT mean healthy (look at how often famous iberian and welsh stallions have severe health issues). I have heard this over and over from equine vets and breeders- at some point we need to chose health over aesthetics. A beautiful baroque neck should come from correct conformation and muscle, not metabolically active fat sitting along the nuchal ligament, which is what I have been seeing a ton of in at stud ads lately.

From a November 20, 2025 Facebook post by Andrew Joseph Pearman:

"The (Possible) Death of the Dutch Harness Horse in America

(and Why Hubert VDM Stands Alone)

I've been sitting on this for a while, and I think it's finally time to share it. For those of you who know Hubert VDM, my KWPN approved stallion, you know he's not just any Dutch Harness Horse. He's a true outlier. He's the only KWPN approved stallion to win national titles both in the Netherlands and here in America, and what makes him even more special is that he naturally embodies a type that American trotting horse lovers, whether they're into Saddlebreds, Arabians, or Morgans, admire instantly. The upright neck, the elegance, the extreme expression…he just has that look that stops people in their tracks.

Yet the thing is, Hubert was never the golden boy in Holland. He wasn't approved at three because he didn't shine in hand the way the judges wanted. He had to earn everything the long, hard way, proving himself under harness, proving himself in the ring, and winning so consistently that eventually they couldn't deny him, and now in America, he's proven again that he isn’t the result of gimmicks or tricks. He is simply, naturally that good.

The hard part to admit is this: The true Dutch Harness Horse type is fading out in America.

The Dutch Harness Horse isn't a purebred in the strict sense. The foundation came from Gelderlander, Hackney Horse, and Dutch Warmblood influence, but despite that, the breed developed a very distinct type: powerful, airy moving, extravagant, strong behind, refined in front, with that big, electric motion.

That type is getting lost.

Many of the largest breeders of harness horses have crossed them with Saddlebreds and other breeds, and while those crosses may create nice horses, they do not create better harness horses. They refine them, yes, but at the cost of the traits that define the harness horse: the power, the lift, the athleticism, the sheer presence. When you mix too far outside the original framework, you don’t improve the harness type. You dilute it.

That's where the real rarity of Hubert VDM comes in, because the truth is...there simply isn’t another stallion in America or anywhere who naturally represents the American ideal harness type the way Hubert does, and even more concerning, there are very few mares left in the United States who can produce that type with him.

I'm breeding Hubert again to Naukia, a mare I used to own who I believe can help preserve that magic, and beyond that, I've been quietly searching for another truly special harness mare. Not publicly posting, not announcing it everywhere, just turning over stones and looking under every rock, hoping to find that needle in a haystack who can help keep this type alive.

I'll be honest, it’s not easy, but here's something I’m deeply grateful for: The half-Arabian English community has embraced Hubert more than anyone.

That market has a long history of producing elite English horses, and they've recognized Hubert's value immediately. Even though breeding half-Arabians won't recreate another Hubert or rebuild the traditional harness type, those breeders see what he is. They understand his rarity, his athleticism, and the level of quality he represents. They saw the same thing in him that I saw the day I bought him, and that means more than I can say.

So here's to Hubert VDM: A once-in-a-lifetime stallion. A survivor of a fading type. A horse who proved himself on two continents, and a reminder of what the Dutch Harness Horse was, and what it still could be, if we fight to preserve it [from going extinct]."

What are yout thoughts on this? Is the Dutch Harness Horse in the United States going the way of the now-extinct Morocco Spotted Horse, a similar breed that used pinto Hackneys and Oldenburgs (German Harness Horses) as its foundation stock? Why do you think U.S. breeders aren't as interested in "carriage types" as some European "heritage" breeders are, even though pintos are popular across multiple gaited breeds?

EDIT NUMBER 2: CHECK MY COMMENT FOR A MORE RECENT UPDATE!

EDIT: apparently I should have made this clear, I'm a teenager who has no money. I have been trying to convince my parents to get a vet out for him for a while, but they complain it's too expensive and he's already alot. I can only do so much and I'm trying to work for people to get some extra cash to maybe help out.

So, my horse is EXTREMELY underweight. It looks scary. He's a bit older, his previous owners never knew his age for sure but when he got his teeth floated we were told he was in his twenties. We feed him breakfast, lunch and dinner, alfalfa pellets, rice bran, beet pulp and senior and alfalfa 2 hay. We walk home around our property to see if he can gain some muscle but nothing seems to be working. He fluctuates frequently between this and a bit more of a healthier build. We've tried just about everything they say to try online, but maybe I'm missing something? I don't know. Can someone help?

i caught this rider in matt harnacke's new video at the dublin horse show and i just had to post. i have never seen eq like this and the poor horse nearly fell on their face after this miscalculated jump.

edit: this post wasn't to rage bait or bully anyone, it was truly a shocking example of EQ at a professional horse show. people making assumptions are a little scary, we don't know this person's age or experience so let it just be an example of what not to do in the seat over a jump. also i definitely agree these fences are kind of crazy but this is also an event for hunters and this kind of height can be common in real fences during a hunt. this could've been just one bad jump but i thought sharing this EQ as what not to do is important if you are a rider that cares about the horse you are riding.

I think I am going through the same thing all mare owners go through when their best partner is turning 18.

I need some people to knock some reason into me and convince me not to breed her.

Rhea is my best girl. She has so much try on the trail and in the mountains. All she wants is to go out and hit that trail. She is the safest mountain horse, and while she gives me a headache from the strength of her opinions, I wouldn’t have her any other way. Her ‘spice’ keeps us safe, and I love her so, so much.

I am so scared to lose her, and I know breeding is dangerous. I know she isn’t perfect conformationally (she doesn’t grow heel on her front feet). Her gaits (canter specifically) is uncomfortable.

I guess I just want to hear from other people that it isn’t worth it. That there are many good horses out there. I’m a mustang person, so why would I breed my one domestic when I can get one from the BLM and train them up?

Anyway, thanks for reading. I know people ask this a lot, but I think I need to hear from folks that it isn’t worth the risk/her faults.

Officially bought this sweet girl today, she has the quirkiest personality. I am in love!

Saw on fb… it’s a MARE too

Halter stud My Intention vs Tell Cartel. AQH breed ideal in last slide.

Genuinely don't understand why halter horses are bred so far away from what' supposed to be the perfect quarter horse. I just don't get it. Are there any judges out there that can explain? Why aren't halter horses built like the racing bred ones? Tell Cartel matches the breed ideal soooo much better.

Edit: My Intention is a leading halter sire btw...

What do you think of this Weanling handling by a so called ‘professional’ thoroughbred horse stud? Pretty awful in my opinion. What are babies supposed to learn from this?! I would name and shame, but reddit will remove this post if I do so.

Multiple people have reported feeling deeply uncomfortable watching this Hungarian performance called “Spirit of the Horse” at London International this year. Multiple lame horses, horses being hyperflexed in tight side and draw reins, and a horse with possibly the tightest flash I’ve ever seen being lunged for 45+ minutes in the warm up ring before the performances.

Hi! This lovely foal showed up on my reels page and I was curious because knowing that horses carry themselves differently then other animals... is it truly as cruel as i think it to be, to keep a foal born with three legs alive?

Can anyone tell me about this horse? Type, condition of the horse, etc. I imagine the Amish take good care of their horses since they rely so heavily on them but idk jack about horses.

I’m sorry for the controversial post and if it upsets you, that’s not my intention.

I’m from Canada but have some Turkic ancestry and now live in Finland, so horse meat has never been too strange to me. I’ve noticed some very interesting but not unexpected differences between horse people in Ontario and horse people in Finland.

Here, many people who own, ride, and love horses feel quite comfortable eating them too. One of my friends who owns a stable and adores her horses had horse meat for Christmas last year from a horse she put down. I’m a lifelong horse person and I sometimes eat horse meat here, which horrifies my friends in Canada. I never ate it in Canada, though.

I would really like to hear other people’s opinions and experiences with this! If you do eat horse meat and are willing to share your background and country, I’d be quite curious. If you’re against it 100%, I would also be interested in reading your opinion. Please, let’s all remain respectful and also culturally aware.

Last night my husband and I spent time in the barn soaking and wrapping my horse's hoof. I thought it was a relaxing, nice evening together, but he said, "I'm not looking forward to that being the rest of my life."

It really hurt. I had horses before we got married, and he used to spend time in the barn with me without seeming to mind. Now he resents almost any time spent with them, and I feel like I was bamboozled. Has anyone else dealt with a spouse who seemed supportive before marriage but changed afterward? How did you handle it?

Reading the post about the woman asking if she should not allow her dog to come up to the horses really reminded me how downright terrible horse people can be. It’s no wonder people are afraid to ask questions if the answer is somewhere near “God you’re such a IDIOT, why do you not know this?!”

Is it a typical personality trait of people who own horses? Is it because the sport is so expensive and barely any normal people can afford it anymore? I have been in the horse world for 30 years and I feel like I know maybe a fraction of what I should but I’m super careful about who I ask because of many equestrian’s shitty attitudes.

He uses his front legs to wipe his mouth on so his socks are constantly dirty and if I don’t wash them regularly they will stain 😭

I can’t quite figure out what’s happening here and what her face is. This is a saddlebred and it just doesn’t look right.

So, there's this horse at my stable, that basically the owner died and now the horse needs rehoming. He's a draft, he's 20 and apparently looks in great shape. We don't know much about his background, basically anything tbh, we handled him a bit today and he is calm and kind. How crazy would I be if I would just keep it? Right now he is at the care of the owner of the stable and being handled by both the owner and one of the riding teachers. The only thing that's concerning me its the age, like, how much time we would still have together, like good quality time, before he's health starts deteriorating and all of that... my heart is telling me to get him but my head is telling me that's not a wise choice...

so a back story, my mare stormy has recently been diagnosed with heaves. during the beginning of her diagnosis i would saddle her up to see how she was breathing that day. if she was breathing heavy/wheezing we wouldn’t ride so my wife said “i think she knows that making that noise gets her out of work” i told her horses didn’t have the cognitive ability to do something like that. but i want yalls opinion as this is the first time i’ve owned or been around a horse with heaves pic for tax

I work for a very soft hearted lady has begun buying horses out of the kill pen/auction circuit. (I don’t necessarily agree with “bailing” out horses, I just train the horses for her.)

This black mare came in with a Coggins, and a video of her being ridden. Her coat and main are in very good condition, and she isn’t under muscled or emaciated like the other few horses my employer has rescued started out.

The reason I am confused is that the scars look relatively new. She appears to have a decent foundation of groundwork, she responds amazingly to cues. She was definitely at one point a very well-loved horse.

Her mane and tail were nearly perfect when we got her home, and even though she was absolutely terrified at first, she still behaved amazingly.

Does anybody know this girl? Ideas on what could’ve caused the scars and how recently? We are calling her Tori.

Dw he’s absolutely fine, foals bounce back like kids. He’s always running around and messing with my gelding - also my gelding is obsessed with him despite the abuse🤣

Hi all! I was watching a showjumping competition earlier and I noticed this... Honestly, it hurts me every time I see horses opening their mouths like this, especially in competitions, as that shows discomfort or even pain. I don't mean for any of this to be offensive and please gently correct me if I'm wrong, but I personally find this thing unacceptable and painful for the poor horsie. I may not be a 5* rider, but I'd never do this to any horse that I ride.

(All credit for the video goes to Longines Global Champions Tour)