Welcome to: Horse Conformation and Judges Perspective

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

13. References Home Loch, W. (2002). Horses - - Conformation: Form to function. Retrieved from: http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G2837 Heird, J. C., & Anderson, T. M. (2001). Judging halter: A standard of reference for AQHA judges. Retrieved from: www.aqha.com/~/media/FA71659B161048F1B85C635362E3EFB5.ashx Back

14. Introduction Home This instructional guide is separated into two main sections. 1. Conformation: Form to Function covers the desirable characteristics we seek in the conformation of horses. 2. Judges Perspectivecovers what a judge looks for in the western discipline competition classes of Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, and Showmanship. Throughout this guide you will find a Use these to test your knowledge on the topics covered. LET’S GET STARTED! Quick Review! Continue to Conformation: Form to Function Back Ultimatehorsesite.com

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

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

17. Conformation Home 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. Continue… Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function 4theloveofhorses.com

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

19. Home Poll Neck Throatlatch Ansci.okstate.edu Continue… Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Body Parts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. Correct! Home 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 Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Continue to Evaluating Conformation

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

29. Balance Home 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. Click on an area to learn more. Return to Evaluating Conformation Aqha.com Quick Review! Back Continue to Return to Conformation: Form to Function

30. Slope of Shoulder Home 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. Aqha.com Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Back Top to Bottom Line Ratio Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Balance

31. Back Top to Bottom Line Ratio Home 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. Aqha.com Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Neck Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Balance

32. Neck Home 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. Aqha.com Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Withers Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Balance

33. Withers Home 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. Aqha.com Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Hindquarters Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Balance

34. Hindquarters Home 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. Aqha.com Aqha.com Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Slope of Shoulder Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Balance

35. Home 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 Balance Return to Evaluating Conformation Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function

36. Correct! Home 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 Evaluating Conformation Continue to Structural Correctness Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Balance

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

38. Structural Correctness Home 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. Aqha.com Aqha.com Quick Review! Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function

39. Hind Limb Home 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. 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 Return to Structural Correctness Return to Evaluating Conformation Ag.auburn.edu Continue… Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function

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

41. Fore Limb Home As with the hind limb, the horse should stand on a straight column of bone in the fore limb with no deviations. Ag.auburn.edu 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. Return to Structural Correctness Ag.auburn.edu Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue… Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function

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

43. Fore Limb Deviations Home 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 Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Hind Limb Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function Return to Structural Correctness

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

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

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

47. Muscling Home 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. Aqha.com Return to Evaluating Conformation Continue to Quick Review! Back Return to Conformation: Form to Function

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

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

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