Idlewild Character Sketch

*grimaces* This ain't the best I can do... but it's decent enough to suit me. Anywho... this is my character, ain't she purdy? Kinda a take off of my Karmine breed, but I decided that I wanted horse feet and no wings... and shorter horns. She stands at 15hh (for those of you who arn't horsey people that is 5 feet measured to the top of her shoulder - which is just at the base of her neck). The drawing itself - well let me tell you that I changed the shading on the hindquarters about 6 times before I got it half-way decent *peers* it could be better still. Then the eye... gosh, i dunno why but it just looks "buggy" to me, not the soft, happy, inquisitive look I was aiming for, maybe next time.

Any comments on shading and stuff I'd gladly take, I'm trying to refine how i shade my horses, and I know it's not quite correct yet - so I'd appreciate any tips.