judging conformation in horses 01. 02 outline 1. balance 2. quality 3. muscling 4. structure
TRANSCRIPT
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