Dee Dee,
I have no experience with horses but it seems to me that if the horse was shot at the same angle it would be posed in harness, it would be better. Aren't most horses posed 3/4 to the front which makes the hind quarters look less high?

It's a lovely shot but not the most flattering angle. Too much of a profile? He looks really close-coupled.

Anyway, you shoot to let you paint and you've seen him in the flesh so you know what he looks like. I'll be interested in seeing the finished painting.

Jim