1. Conformation of Horses
Presentation Part 2: Head and Neck
#8893-B

2. Head Head shape varies by breed
Affects the field of vision and balance

3. Head From the front and side From the side triangular shaped
jaw should be deep
head tapering to a smaller-sized muzzle

4. Head If the head is too large, the vision can be restricted.
Should not be too long or too short
Should be in proportion with the rest of the body.

5. Head Length between eyes and muzzle is very important.
Turbinates reside in the muzzle and heat and cool the inhaled air before it enters the lungs.
Turbinates – soft, bony structures in the head that are supplied with large amounts of blood.

6. Head If the head is too big, the center of gravity is shifted forward
Extremely long and narrow heads have a large blind spot in front of them.

7. Head Arabian horse Opposite is Roman nose dish-shaped face
improved vision
Opposite is Roman nose
convex shaped
impaired vision

8. Head - Jaw
Upper and lower teeth must meet evenly to avoid eating problems
Parrot mouth - upper jaw too long
Undershot jaw - short upper jaw
Both can be heritable

9. Head - Eyes Large, clear, set on the side of the head
Wide set allow for almost 360 degree field of vision
Pig-eyed - small eyes set too far back in the head

10. Head - Ears Ears should not be: too far apart droopy
set too close together

11. Neck Head and neck function as balance mechanism Ideal neck:
long and trim
clean throatlatch
below and behind the jaw where the head and neck meet

12. Neck
Clean throatlatch provides enough space between the jaw, throat, and neck
Allows the head and neck to move without difficulty

13. Neck Wasty throatlatch leads to difficulty with breathing
Neck should blend smoothly into the shoulder and tie high into the throatlatch

14. Neck Necks that are undesirable include: Arched neck Swan neck
Eye neck
Close-coupled neck
Necks that insert too low or too deep into the chest

15. Neck