Thoroughbred Daily News Staff Blog: Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog: Updated Photos and Conformation Analysis

Thewifedoesntknow, aka Ally-Gator

One of my favorite parts of doing this blog is watching this lovely mare's physical development from week to week. Ally-Gator, you've come a long way, baby. In June, she retired from the track sound, and very fit. By August, she already had the beginnings of the muscling of a show horse. Below is a series of conformation photos, taken on June 16, July 7, and August 25:

RIGHT SIDE

Photo taken June 16, 2012. Just a few days off the track.

Photo taken July 7, 2012, into her 4th week of training.


Photo taken August 25, 2012, into her 10th week of training.

LEFT SIDE

Photo taken June 16, 2012. Just a few days off the track.

Photo taken July 7, 2012, into her 4th week of training.

Photo taken August 25, 2012, into her 10th week of training.

I asked my friend Karen Hagy, a lifelong equestrian and accomplished dressage rider, to share her thoughts on Thewifedoesntknow's conformation. Over the years, I've learned a lot from her. Here's what she had to say:

"When I do a conformation analysis, I always start at the head and work my way back.

This mare has an attractive head and an intelligent eye. Her expression tells me that she's engaged, and interested in her surroundings. Thoroughbreds are known for being smart and willing. She looks like she fits the bill.

She has a shapely neck that is nicely set on her shoulder. Her shoulder is big with adequate angle. Her humerus, which is what allows a horse to lift and tuck the front legs over a fence, is long and open. She should be able to lift her knees up and tuck her legs with little effort.

Her topline is medium in length and well developed. Her withers reach well into her back.

The "motor" on a horse is their hip. This is where they get their power and impulsion. This mare has a nice hip length that should serve her well in the hunter ring.

Her legs look clean with good-sized tendon attachments. Strong tendon attachments aid in long-term soundness. Her back legs are a bit on the straight side, which should aid her over the fences. Her joints are of adequate size, she has decently-set hocks and good-looking feet."

And speaking of feet, here's a series of photos of her front hooves and the transformation they have made in the care of farrier Craig Farrell:

Photo taken June 16, 2012. Just a few days off the track.

Photo taken July 7, 2012, into her 4th week of training.

Photo taken August 25, 2012, into her 10th week of training.

This is Part 11 in a weekly series of training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral YouTube video and who is now in training to be a show hunter with New Jersey-based trainer Carole Davison.