teaching myself how to pose corectly. assistance please

[Wheels]

I'm trying to teach myself to pose my rabbits right - I don't have anyone I know who can show me in person so I'll look at photos and then go out and try to imitate. I'll read some instructions and try again. Ruby Doo is my assistant since she's the most willing to put up with my nonsense for the longest amount of time. Figure once I can do it right consistently on a calm rabbit I'll work on the wiggly ones.

This is not right but I'm not sure what to do to correct it. Maybe move the fore feet back some? I also have to wonder if maybe she's just not a great rabbit to pose (poor shape) What am I doing wrong?

Ruby Doo - 12-13ish weeks

 

[TheLittleBunny10]

what kind of rabbit is she? it usually differs on the different kind of rabbits.
she sure is pretty though

 

[Wheels]

harlequin - I'm trying for compact/commercial

 

[AmysMacdog]

Wheels I love that rabbit! Beautiful!
I'm glad you brought this up, I'm wanting to learn this too. opcorn:

 

[Secuono]

Very cool rabbit!
The hind toes should line up with the knee. (people wrongly call it 'toe to hip')
Then people tend to like them rounded out for show, for meat, having them more natural like she is, tends to give you more accurate info. So after the feet are scooched back, you push the head back with the front feet, leaving about 2in space from the hind toe to the elbow, making sure the eye lines up with the front toe.

She looks to have low and narrow shoulders, won't change much even if posed better. But most rabbits have this issue, as meaty shoulders isn't really what shows want. :/
Longer loin equals more babies can easily fit and more loin meat, some people prefer short loins though... :/

Elbows need to be down, then toe would line up with eye, but real close either way.

 

[5dognightfarm]

A Harlequin is a difficult breed to start learning things on, because although they are supposed to be commercial-type rabbits, so much emphasis has been put on proper markings that a proper body is incredibly difficult to find. There are only ten points on body type in a Harlequin. Also, if you look at the breed in Europe, it's more of a cobby full-arch type rabbit and it never really settled in right as a commercial breed here. Historically it never caught on as a meat rabbit, either. I'd give an arm and a leg for a Harlequin with a real commercial-type body on it.

Other than the forelegs, which Secuono has pointed out here, I think you've done a nice job posing this rabbit. You've picked a difficult but rewarding breed Good luck!

 

[Secuono]

Wheels I love that rabbit! Beautiful!
I'm glad you brought this up, I'm wanting to learn this too. opcorn:

I started a thread about posing before. Here's the link.
http://rabbittalk.com/meat-rabbit-pose-and-things-to-look-for-t14222.html?hilit=posing

 

[Wheels]

she sure is pretty though

Wheels I love that rabbit! Beautiful!

Very cool rabbit!

I think she's pretty cool/awesome/pretty too!

You've picked a difficult but rewarding breed Good luck

Honestly I bought her because she was adorable with no intention of breeding and showing (because I had heard it was a 'hard' breed). Even the seller was very straight forward with the fact that Ruby Doo could make a good brood doe but that was about it. He even mentioned that by spring he may have a nice jr. buck that would be more suitable if I were inclined. Now that I've had her about a month - I don't know - Gosh she's just so personable! I may have to seek him out and take him up on the offer - :shock: I may be crazy.

Thanks Secuono and Cait for the tips - if it's not raining or too dark when I get home this evening I'll try again and take another set of shots. I may try and pose my NZW buck as well.

 

[5dognightfarm]

One thing I love about Harlequins is that you can take two "meh" rabbits and wind up with a spectacular litter. You have to be able to match up a good pair. I got very good at picking through a pen of $5 "pet quality" Harlequins and finding two or three nearly bald (lightly marked) does and getting beautiful litters out of them when pairing them with the right buck.

It's all about the matching That's what made it such great fun! I personally raised Magpies, but my brother and my ex-husband (not the same person, haha) both raised Japanese and loved them.

 

[Secuono]

Lol, I said "oh cool!" out loud when I saw her. If her face was more of a solid black, she'd make a perfect rabbit villain in a comic, lol!

 

[Wheels]

Last night was finally a dry day so here's my practice! I think I'm getting the back end lined up pretty good but still not getting the front feet and shoulders set back far enough.

This is my best - Cookie did most of the work herself. (can't you tell she's just trilled )

and just wondering does her nose took odd? Something about it seems off to me.


Here's Ruby again - I think this is better but still don't have the front lined up correct.


And Ziggy who was the least cooperative - and my arms are not long enough to hold a rabbit and get the camera to focus!


I've been looking at the other thread to - very helpful!