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Horse Conformation and Judges Perspective Click on the topic you would like to learn about. Introduction Conformation: Form to Function Practice Class References

References Loch, W. (2002). Horses - - Conformation: Form to function. Retrieved from: Heird, J. C., & Anderson, T. M. (2001). Judging halter: A standard of reference for AQHA judges. Retrieved from: Heird, J. C. (1994). Competitive horse judging. Retrieved from: Horsemanship score sheet. Retrieved from: Back

Introduction This instructional guide, Conformation: Form to Function, covers the desirable characteristics we seek in the conformation of horses. Throughout this guide you will finda Use these to test your knowledge on the topics covered. LET’S GET STARTED! Ultimatehorsesite.com Quick Review! Continue to Conformation: Form to Function Back

Conformation: Form to Function Click on the section you would like to learn about. Review the Basics Evaluating Conformation Summary Ultimatehorsesite.com Back

Review the Basics There are four general areas of the horse to consider when evaluating conformation: 1.Balance 2.Structural Correctness 3.Muscling 4.Breed and Sex Characteristics Before we dive in, lets refresh on a few basics. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Animals.nationalgeographic.com Back Continue…

Conformation Conformation is the physical appearance of an animal due to the arrangement of muscle, bone and other body tissue. Form to Function There is NO perfectly conformed horse. However, the conformation of a horse depicts its athletic ability to perform. Return to Conformation: Form to Function 4theloveofhorses.com Back Continue…

Body Parts Lets familiarize ourselves with relevant body parts of the horse. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Click on an area of the horse’s body to reveal its relevant body parts. Ansci.okstate.edu Back Continue to Quick Review!

Return to Conformation: Form to Function PollNeck Throatlatch Ansci.okstate.edu Return to Body Parts Continue… Back

Return to Conformation: Form to Function Point of Shoulder Withers Shoulder Ansci.okstate.edu Continue… Return to Body Parts Back

Return to Conformation: Form to Function Knee Elbow Forearm Cannon Bone Ansci.okstate.edu Continue… Fetlock Return to Body Parts Back

Return to Conformation: Form to Function Back Loin Ansci.okstate.edu Continue… Return to Body Parts Back

Return to Conformation: Form to Function Point of Buttock Point of Hip Croup Continue… Return to Body Parts Back

Return to Conformation: Form to Function Hock Gaskin Thigh Ansci.okstate.edu Cannon Bone Fetlock Continue… Return to Body Parts Back

Quick Review! NOT Which of the following is NOT a general area for evaluating conformation? Balance Structural Correctness Temperament Breed & Sex Characteristics Muscling Return to Conformation: Form to Function Back

Sorry… Try Again! Return to Conformation: Form to Function icanhascheezburger.com Back

Correct! Great job! Although the temperament of a horse is a quality you should look for, it does not affect the conformation. wine-ophelia.blogspot.com Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Evaluating Conformation Back

Evaluating Conformation Balance Structural Correctness Muscling Breed & Sex Characteristics Click the general area of evaluation you would like to begin with. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Extension.missouri.edu Back

Balance Balance is the most important characteristic to consider when evaluating a horse. It is determined by the skeletal framework of the horse. Since we cannot see the horse’s skeleton, lets identify reference points we can use to evaluate balance. Aqha.com Click on an area to learn more. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Back Continue to Quick Review!

Slope of Shoulder Slope of the shoulder is the most important aspect of balance and indicates the angle of the shoulder blade. This angle is related to the top to bottom line ratios of the neck and back. The slope will also affect the length of stride. The ideal horse has a long sloping shoulder which contributes to a short topline to underline ratio and long, reaching stride. A horse with a steep, upright shoulder will tend to have a short neck, long back, and short, choppy stride. Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Back Top to Bottom Line Ratio Aqha.com Return to Balance Back

Back Top to Bottom Line Ratio Ideally, the topline should be short and strong with a long bottom line or underline. The topline includes the withers, back, and loin. A horse with a long back and loin may develop weaknesses and strain over the topline. Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Neck Aqha.com Return to Balance Back

Neck Some people give much preference to a horse that has a long thin neck. However, when considering balance, attention should be given to the top to bottom line ratio of the neck. Ideally this will be a 2 to 1 ratio. The topline is from poll to withers and the bottom line is from throatlatch to where the neck ties into the shoulder. The placement of the neck on the horse’s shoulder is important when considering head and neck carriage. A low placed neck will result in a horse that possibly has a lower head carriage and is heavy on the forehand when traveling. Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Withers Aqha.com Return to Balance Back

Withers Ideally, the withers should be sharp, prominent, and slightly higher than the hindquarters. A mutton withered horse will produce difficulties with holding a saddle on. Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Hindquarters Aqha.com Return to Balance Back

Hindquarters From the side, the hindquarters should have a square appearance and length through the croup and hip. A long croup and hip will allow for more volume in the hindquarter region. Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Conformation: Form to Function Aqha.com Return to Balance Continue to Slope of Shoulder Back

Quick Review! What is the most important aspect of balance? Top to Bottom Line Ratio of Back Length of Croup Slope of Shoulder Prominence of Withers Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Balance Back

Correct! Great job! The shoulder is the most important aspect of balance as it is directly related to the conformation of other important components of balance. Pichars.org Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Structural Correctness Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Balance Back

Sorry… Try Again! Return to Conformation: Form to Function Horsewallpapers.in Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Balance Back

Structural Correctness Structural Correctness refers to the conformation of the legs and feet. Considerable attention should be given to structural correctness as it is the foundation of the horse. Hind Limb Fore Limb Click on an area to learn more. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Aqha.com Back Continue to Quick Review!

Hind Limb From the rear view, ideally a line can be dropped from the point of buttock and bisect the gaskins, hocks, and fetlocks. Naturally horses toe out slightly behind to allow for clearance of the ribcage. This results in a longer, freer stride. Furthermore, the horse should be widest from stifle to stifle when viewed from the rear. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Back Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Structural Correctness Ideally from the side view, you should be able to drop an imaginary line from the point of buttock to the ground and have it touch the hocks, run parallel to the cannon bone, and slightly behind the heel. Ag.auburn.edu Continue…

Hind Limb Deviations Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Structural Correctness Continue to Fore Limb The following are common deviations found in the hind limb. Remember, No deviation is desirable. Ag.auburn.edu Back

Fore Limb As with the hind limb, the horse should stand on a straight column of bone in the fore limb with no deviations. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Back Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Structural Correctness From the front view, an imaginary line should drop from the point of shoulder and bisect the knee, cannon bone, and hoof. The foot should be facing straight on. Ag.auburn.edu Continue…

Fore Limb Deviations Return to Conformation: Form to Function Back Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Structural Correctness The following are common deviations found in the fore limb. Remember, No deviation is desirable. Ag.auburn.edu Continue…

Fore Limb Deviations Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Structural Correctness Calf-kneed is one of the most undesirable deviations as it causes a lack of support and strength in the leg. Splay footed (toe-out) in a horse will disrupt the flight pattern of the leg, causing it to wing-in. With this, it is common for the horse to hit its front leg together when traveling. Pigeon toed (toe-in) in a horse will disrupt the flight pattern of the leg, causing it to wing-in. Ag.auburn.edu Back Continue to Hind Limb

Quick Review! Which of these deviations is least desirable? Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Structural Correctness Ag.auburn.edu Back

Correct! Great job! Calf-kneed is very undesirable because of the lack of support it causes in the forehand. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Muscling Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Structural Correctness Back

Sorry… Try Again! Return to Conformation: Form to Function Horsewallpapers.in Return to Structural Correctness Return to Evaluating Conformation Back

Muscling It is not important for a horse to have a very high volume of muscling, but to have adequate muscling to perform its job. It is important that muscling be balanced and proportionate to the horse. This can be determined by comparing muscle groups and their uniformity. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Aqha.com Return to Evaluating Conformation Back Continue to Quick Review!

Quick Review! Which horse has more desirable muscling? Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Muscling Animalscience.tamu.edu Back Animalscience.tamu.edu

Sorry… Try Again! Return to Conformation: Form to Function Vichorse.com Return to Muscling Return to Evaluating Conformation Back

Correct! Great job! This horse does show a better balance of muscling from the forehand to the hindquarters. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Breed & Sex Characteristics Return to Evaluating Conformation Back Partyponies.wordpress.com Return to Muscling

Breed & Sex Characteristics Breed or type characteristics are the style and conformational attributes that are specific to a breed. Sex characteristics are the expression of femininity or masculinity in the horse, usually expressed through the head and neck area. Horses should especially exhibit these characteristics when being considered for breeding. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Stallionsnow.com glenlomond.com.au Paint Stallion Quarter Horse Mare Back Continue to Quick Review!

Quick Review! Which horse shows more masculinity? Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Breed & Sex Characteristics Back Equine-world.org Gulsbyquarterhorses.com

Sorry… Try Again! Return to Conformation: Form to Function Lolhorses.com Return to Breed & Sex Characteristics Return to Evaluating Conformation Back

Correct! Great job! You can see his masculinity especially through his jowls (cheeks). Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Summary Return to Evaluating Conformation Back Latimesblog.latimes.com Return to Breed & Sex Characteristics

Summary A horse’s functionality is directly related and attributed to their conformation. Fads in the horse industry will come and go. In the long run, sacrificing quality conformation for a trend will only result in limited performance abilities. A horse with near ideal conformation will always be in demand. There is no substitute. Return to Conformation: Form to Function Discoverhorses.com Regardinghorses.com Back Continue to Practice Class

Practice Class Stock Type Mares Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Practice Class

Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Placings

Mark Your Card Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Placings

Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Reasons Return to Practice Class

Reasons for 2 over 4: 2 is a more well balanced individual, as she is more equally divided into thirds when viewed from front to back. Additionally, 2 has a shorter, stronger back with a comparatively longer underline. Regarding muscling, 2 has greater depth and balance of muscling throughout her body. Moreover, 2 is more refined and feminine, and is a smoother blending individual. Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Practice Class Continue Reasons…

Reasons for 4 over 1: Overall, 4 is a larger bodied mare who more closely follows the substance of 2. Additionally she has a squarer, more proportionate hip with a rounder turn to the croup. Adding to her size, 4 is a more heavily muscled individual, who shows greater definition throughout her body. However, 1 does show more feminine characteristics, as she is more refined about her head and neck, as she is shorter from eye to muzzle and ties cleaner through her throatlatch. Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Practice Class Continue Reasons…

Reasons for 1 over 3: 1 is overall a more balanced individual, as she is more evenly distributed in her body across each third from front to back. She is also more correctly assembled down her legs and hooves, which is most noted when drawing a line from hip to hock to heel. 1 is simply a prettier profiling individual, with superior quality and blending. Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Practice Class Continue…

Congratulations! Now you have an understanding of the foundations of judging horses! HAPPY TRAILS! Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Evaluating Conformation Return to Practice Class Back