Judging Judging Conformation Conformation

in Horsesin Horses

01

02OutlineOutline

1.1. BalanceBalance2. Quality2. Quality3. Muscling3. Muscling4. Structure4. Structure

03BalanceBalance

What is What is balance?balance?

Balance is defined as the blending of the horses body parts.

04BalanceBalance

What body part What body part directly affects directly affects a horses a horses balance?balance?

The Shoulder!

05BalanceBalance

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

06BalanceBalance

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

07BalanceBalance

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

08BalanceBalance

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

09QualityQuality

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

10QualityQuality

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.

11QualityQuality

Attractive head

Poor quality head

12QualityQuality

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

13QualityQuality

Long, clean neck

Short, thick neck

14AnatomyAnatomy

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

Thick throatlatch

Clean throatlatch

15AnatomyAnatomy

The wither should be sharp and prominent to help hold the saddle in place.

Flat witherHigh, strong wither

16AnatomyAnatomy

The back should be short and strong to withstand the weight of a saddle and the rider.

Long, weak back

Short, strong back

17AnatomyAnatomy

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.

Shallow heart

Deep heart

18AnatomyAnatomy

The croup of a stock-type horse should be long and gently sloping downward towards the tailhead.

Short, steep croup

Long croup

19AnatomyAnatomy

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’.

Short hip

Long hip

20MusclingMuscling

Muscle is viewed from 4 main areas on the profile.

1. Forearm

2. Shoulder

3. Stifle

4. Gaskin

21MusclingMuscling

Here are examples of differences in muscling when viewed from the profile.Heavy Adequa

teLight

22StructureStructureThe 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.

Hind legs

Front legs Correct

Structure

23StructureStructure

Here are examples of incorrect structure.

Toes In

Bowed Legs

Toes Out

24StructureStructure

More examples of incorrect structure.

Calf Kneed

Buck Kneed

Calf Kneed and straight pasterns

25StructureStructureMore examples of incorrect

structure.

Sickle Hocked

Post Legged

Club Footed

26StructureStructure

Here are examples of common blemishes or unsoundnesses.

Bucked Shin

Quarter Crack