Norman Finished - Maybe

In a previous post I showed my approach to drawing and starting the acrylic painting Norman - 30x40 ".  The painting has hung in my living room since and I have considered what the painting needed to call it finished.

I wanted a strong front end - head and forelegs. I wanted the rear to be softened and move back into the painting. I softened the value of the rear and the rear lower legs and the front inside hoof. I softened the edges on the tail, hind legs and upper pelvic area. 

 I played with value and temperature changes in the background and decided on a "blurred" mix of warm and cool at lighter values than the subject. I also wanted to show motion and forced the shadow value below the rear right hoof and kept the hoof " in the air ". I also added the warm/cool loose "dust" around the feet. 

To bring the head forward I strengthened the darks and hardened the edges and added spots of warm reds. Maybe overdone? 

I am still not sure I have taken it in the right direction so again it will hang and be considered while I decide. 

Reference photo 

Initial sketch and value plan in transparent under painting 

Drawing corrections using white China Marker 

Building with opaques