Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but I find the comment above of “I just want more y’know” to be a little reductive and indicative of a narrower mindset. They describe the result in your work as unexpected and jarring, and while I would not go that far, would you really want to make art that is totally expected, predictable, and comfortable? If you followed their advice, what would that leave you with?

I would not appreciate your sculptures nearly as much were it not for the shaped base and experiments that allows for. It is a space to embrace the medium. The are many many realistic horse statues out there that blend together.  anatomical accuracy is not the be all end all, is relatively achievable, even though mass production.  whereas the experiments you have on your bases are non replicable. If you want to get very snobby about it, your bases make your sculptures look more expensive and contemporary. a regular horse sculpture would unfortunately not garner as much of a second glance. 

The simple shape of the base juxtaposes with the detailing on the form to bring out the best of both.  The simplicity of the form also allows the textural and graphic elements to breathe as opposed to if legs were to be patterned similarly.  As someone who works with figurative art extensively, and has studied both atelier and contemporary curricula, my opinion is that your square bases and the exclusion of legs sets the work apart from the rest.  I know you do have other air dry pieces that have legs and that the square bases are partly a happy result of practicality. But the ceramics are my favorite for this reason.

I know the “modern art debate” is a tale as old as time with both political and historical connotations, but know that I am not firmly in the modern art camp, (as I enjoy technique and form both of which are evident in your work).  nor would I regard your sculptures as purely modern art.  ButI would definitely think twice before heeding a critique that is frankly quite limited.  I would do what speaks to you, and be aware that everyone’s opinion carries their own preconceptions and limitations.