Selecting Equine Standard 4.00 - Apply principles for selecting equine for the herd. Objective 4.01 - Understand how structure, body dimensions, and other factors influence usefulness, vigor, and longevity of equine.

Importance of Age The productive life or period of an equine’s usefulness is comparatively brief. Equine reach their physical peak between 9 and 10 years of age, with the prime age being between 7 and 9 years. Market value for similar conditioned and trained equine increases up to the peak and decreases after the peak. The chance of unsoundness goes up with age. Buyers must decide if a top-quality older horses can be purchased for the same or less than a younger equine of lesser quality.

Importance of Age Age is also important when equine are used for competitive events such as racing and showing. January 1st is considered the universal birth date for foals. Affects the class horses are shown or raced in and is especially important in the younger age groups such as the racing and halter futurities. A foal born on May 30, 2003 is considered a year old for racing/showing on January 1, 2004 and would lack the growth advantage of a foal born closer to January 1

Importance of Height Height can influence usefulness and price. Ponies are usually cheaper because their use is limited. Equine height is measured in hands (1 hand = 4”). The measurement is made on level ground and is made from the ground to the highest point of the withers. For example, a pony that measures 10 hands is 40” tall.

Importance of Weight Weight depends on breed, type, and age of equine and is often missed when evaluating equine. Weight is most often underestimated when visual guesses are made. The best method to determine equine weight is to weigh the trailer and equine on a truck scale and then weigh the trailer empty. Weight tapes are available for rough estimates. A more accurate estimate of weight can be accomplished by measuring the equine’s body length, heart girth, and using a formula to calculate weight. Avoid using noisy tapes or cloth tapes that may stretch. A cord or string that has no stretch may be used, marked, and then measured in the place of using a measuring tape on the equine.

Importance of Weight Knowing an equine’s weight is important for several management decisions, such as: Amount of feed needed Breeding efficiency Potential health problems Medical treatment

Importance of Weight

Importance of Stance Indicates structure and how an animal will move – View from 3 different positions Front view of the forelimbs A vertical line drawn downward from the point of the shoulder should fall on the center of the knee, cannon, pastern, and foot.

Importance of Stance View from the side When the hind legs are set properly, a vertical line drawn from the point of buttock should just touch the rear of the cannon from the hock to fetlock and meet the ground behind heel.

Importance of Stance View from side continued When the forelimbs are in the correct position, a vertical line drawn downward from the center of the elbow point should fall upon the center of the knee and pastern, and back of the foot.

Importance of Stance View from the back When conformation of the hind legs is correct, a vertical line can be drawn from the point of the buttock through the center of the hock, cannon, pastern, and foot.

Body Dimension & Performance Shoulders should be long and sloping so that they extend the stride in running, absorb shock, and reduces stumbling. Short backs and long underlines contribute to style and action and increase the height and length of stride. In addition, short backs are stronger. Long, smooth muscling in the hindquarter is of particular importance since all the power used in motion comes from the hindquarter.

Assignment Complete the weights of horses worksheet. On a white sheet of paper, make your own Equine Body Condition Score Poster. Make sure to include pictures of all 5 body scores and label characteristics of each.