Judging Conformation in Horses

1. 01 Judging Conformation in Horses

2. Outline 02 • Balance 2. Quality 3. Muscling 4. Structure

3. Balance 03 What is balance? Balance is defined as the blending of the horses body parts.

4. Balance 04 What body part directly affects a horses balance? The Shoulder!

5. Balance 05 Lines or circles drawn around the shoulder, barrel and hip should be similar in size and length.

6. Balance 06 Lines drawn from the withers to the chest floor and from the chest floor to the ground should be similar in length.

7. Balance 07 A line drawn from the middle of the back to the bottom of the barrel should nearly bisect the horse in half.

8. Balance 08 A line drawn from the withers to the top of the hip should be nearly level.

9. Quality 09 Quality is mainly evaluated in the horses head and neck areas and may also include the quality of the haircoat.

10. Quality 10 The head should be wide between the eyes, short from eye to muzzle, and taper down to a refined muzzle. The ears should be short, and both the eyes and nostrils large.

11. Quality 11 Attractive head Poor quality head

12. Quality 12 The neck should be long and lean while attaching high out of the shoulder.

13. Quality 13 Long, clean neck Short, thick neck

14. Anatomy 14 The throatlatch should be clean and thin to allow for proper flexion and breathing of the horse. Clean throatlatch Thick throatlatch

15. Anatomy 15 The wither should be sharp and prominent to help hold the saddle in place. High, strong wither Flat wither

16. Anatomy 16 The back should be short and strong to withstand the weight of a saddle and the rider. Short, strong back Long, weak back

17. Anatomy 17 The barrel or heart/girth of a horse should be deep. The flank region should be shallower than the heart and slightly higher, but should also have some depth. Deep heart Shallow heart

18. Anatomy 18 The croup of a stock-type horse should be long and gently sloping downward towards the tailhead. Short, steep croup Long croup

19. Anatomy 19 The hip should be long and powerful to give the horse drive and push when needed to perform with quick bursts of speed. Tip: a good hip should appear ‘square’. Long hip Short hip

20. Muscling 20 Muscle is viewed from 4 main areas on the profile. • Forearm 2. Shoulder 3. Stifle 4. Gaskin

21. Muscling 21 Here are examples of differences in muscling when viewed from the profile. Heavy Adequate Light

22. Structure 22 The structure, or feet and legs of a horse is very important to its usefulness. A horse that has poor structure will not be able to withstand heavy use or riding. Front legs Hind legs Correct Structure

23. Structure 23 Here are examples of incorrect structure. Toes Out Bowed Legs Toes In

24. Structure 24 More examples of incorrect structure. Calf Kneed and straight pasterns Calf Kneed Buck Kneed

25. Structure 25 More examples of incorrect structure. Sickle Hocked Club Footed Post Legged

26. Structure 26 Here are examples of common blemishes or unsoundnesses. Bucked Shin Quarter Crack