In a perfect world, where I (or Ashley) had the time and space and unlimited resources to hang onto him, here is what I would do:
Keep him intact, and try him tentatively on at least three years as a two year old (he may not be able to settle them, either) or three year old. When the babies came, I might be better able to make my decision, also he would be more mature and I could see what I was going to have.
That said, I know she has space/housing issues with an intact stallion. As do I! If I were to buy another stallion, I would be in for major fencing work as well as likely to bolster another stall. The last stallion I had here put a real hurt on the doors of my stalls and it's all their nature. My gelding doesn't do this nor do I have to fear he just might get in with a yearling filly and breed her, or in with the gelding and kill him, etc.
If I look at Boo as if he were say solid black or brown, I see that he isn't quite "it" even as a yearling. YES, he is NICE and he is more correct than I'd say most of the stallions I see out there breeding. He has a lot of great features, he has his shortcomings. I just don't say "wow" if I see him as solid. I say "nice" and that doesn't do it for me as far as keeping one intact/breeding to him, etc.
NOW add the color and I say very few of the appaloosa or color intense horses look this nice conformationally. I DO think he may have something to contribute, and herein is where I'm sure Ashley has her dilemma. She loves this horse deeply, so I'm sure he does wow her. AND he moves beautifully from what I've been told. What she wants to do is see what the others who don't love him as a friend feel, also, I'm guessing?
Anyway, we are adding to the confusion I'm sure, but I would geld him given MY current situation and likely, to simplify things for her, I would geld him as well. It will be somewhat sad, but again it won't kill him and he will be a wonderful and exciting show horse.
Liz
--quick ps, whoever added to geld Tom Cruise: Please do, the man has gotten out of control and I can't look at him at all (he has always been a homely thing to me anyway) without thinking of the craziness he's living. GLAD he was fired, he's outta control.
fftopic:
