conformation evaluation of horses 2007 stephen r schafer, edd university of wyoming 2001 d. karen...

Conformation EvaluationOf Horses

2007Stephen R Schafer,

EdDUniversity of Wyoming

2001D. Karen Hansen, PhDUniversity of Wyoming

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Conformation Evaluation-Purpose

Purpose of evaluation (judging) is to identify and breed superior individuals

This should (or, at least, could) increase our chances of performance capability

FORM ----relates to----> FUNCTION(typically or most of the time)

G enetics

Train ing D isposition "M ind"

PERFORM ANCE C O N FO R M ATIO N

Environm ent (N utrition, H andling)

Factors Used InConformation Evaluation

StructureTravelMusclingBalanceTypeQuality

Structural Correctness

There are many characteristics of structural correctness that are desirable for most breeds

Some bones are long for increased muscle attachment

Some bones are short for strength

Structural correctness also includes the way in which the horse’s parts are put together


Shoulder, slope should be the same on each animal---approximately 45 degree angle.

- point of shoulder to mid-withers- a long, well laid back shoulder allows:

* a wider range of movement * more shock absorption capability


Neck, is used for a lever and counterbalance during movement: a thin and clean neck will allow the horse to be more supple and flexible in its movement

- neck should be medium length - attachment to shoulder will vary depending on breed; the lower attachment of neck - throatlatch

clean for flexion


Back, is the weight bearing area (for rider or foaling mares)

The back (withers to loin) should be short in relation to the underline

A long underline allows more area for stride and containment of vital organs

Heartgirth should be deep; hindrib should be deep


Loin, or coupling area should be well-muscled and moderate in length

The loin is the flexible area in the spine, and allows the horse to bring the hindquarters up “under” the body to even out the distribution of body weight


Croup and Hip, areas should be long and well muscled to allow for more impulsion from the hindquarters

The croup slope will be different depending on breed

The hip should be measured from tuber coxae to tuber ischii “hooks-pins”


Front Legs (front view), the chestfloor should be relatively wide

The front legs and feet should be straight down from the shoulder, through the knee, through the cannon, and through the hoof.


Hind Legs (rear view), should be wide set apart (similar to the front legs)

Have a straight line from point of buttock through hocks, cannon bones, and hoof


Drawings: Unknown Source


Front Legs (side view), should be straight from mid-scapula through the knee, through the fetlock and to the ground

The front pastern should be medium in length and be the same slope as shoulder and hoof (generally about 45 degrees)


Hind Legs (side view), should have an angle or “set” to the hock

The hind cannon should be straight and directly below the point of buttock

The hind pasterns should be of medium length and the same slope as the hoof (which will be slightly steeper than front)


Drawings: Unknown Source

Travel

Can actually be considered as part of structural correctness

Can be considered as part of structural correctness because straightness of travel is correlated with correctness of structure

Travel

We evaluate how horses “track” by viewing their movement from the front, rear and the side

How a horse travels depends on the straightness of their feet and legs are….and how the legs tie into the body of the horse– ASPECTS OF TRAVEL:

STRAIGHTNESS WIDTH LENGTH OF STRIDE SNAP AND FLEXION

Travel

Travel should be straight, true, and wide; this is best determined when using the front and rear views to watch the horse move….it can also be observed by checking the hoof prints in the ground

Items such as length of stride and overstepping can best be determined when using a side view to watch the horse move….overstepping can also be noticed by listening for the clicking of the hooves

Travel & Structure Travel and structure are inter-related because without

proper structure, proper travel is not possible.

In terms of travel and structure: proper typically refers to or means straight….or straightness of joints, such as the knee because of all the correct positioning required of the tendons, ligaments, etc needed to have proper structure and travel….which leads to better performance of the horse.

Photo: EQUUS

Muscling

Quality of Muscling is important in all breeds

There will be breed differences

Have enough muscling to do the job required

It is important to judge like types

Examination Of Muscling

Muscling can best be examined on the horse in the following areas:

pectoralforearmshoulder loin

croup & hip stifle

gaskin

Quality Of Muscling

Quality of Muscling includes:– Long, smooth, low-tying muscles

muscles that tie low into the joint

– Muscling should be balanced throughout the body

hindquarter versus forequarter muscling

Quality Of Muscling

The muscling of this horse is long and smooth, meaning that is carries down in to gaskin....it is not carried high, meaning that is not bunched on the rump or croup. Long and smooth muscling provides for longer and smoother strides…thus obtaining better performance from the horse Photo: EQUUS

Balance

A well balanced horse has parts that “fit” together

Shoulder, back and hip are about the same length

Heartgirth and legs are about the same length

Length of body and height at withers are about the same measurement

Type

Modern Type….which is a horse that is taller than it is long

Old Type….which is a horse that is longer than it is tall

Quality

Quality is difficult to evaluate until you have had some experience at viewing horses

Quality includes: style sex

character breed character

usefulness factors

Style

Is the relationship of or between the balance and the type of the horse

Is also this combination as it relates to the muscling of the horse

Style

The 2 most reliable indicators of quality are: head

bone

Head: large eyes, erect ears, cleanness of head

Bone: Cleanness of joints, “flat” cannon bones

Sex Character

Stallion: Larger boned; larger jaw; more heavily muscled; wider neck

Mare: Feminine in appearance; smaller boned; narrower and more tapered in the face with a smaller muzzle

Gelding: Somewhere in between

Breed Character

Will be dependent on use of the animal

For example: Major differences between the Quarter Horse and Arabian?

Usefulness Factors

Gait Defects

Blemishes and Unsoundesses

Gait Defects

A splay-footed horse will travel in what manner?

A pigeon-toed horse will travel in what manner?

Blemishes And Unsoundnesses

Blemish = an imperfection which may affect the value of the horse, but does not affect the serviceability

Unsoundness = an imperfection in the horse that affects serviceability

Soundness = useful for a certain purpose, as a result a horse may be sound for one purpose and not for another purpose

Examples And Location OfBlemishes And Unsoundnesses

Head: * Parrot mouth or overshot jaw

* Blindness

Shoulder: * Sweeny - paralysis of the suprascapular nerve

* Fistulous withers - bruising or infection of bursa

Examples and Location OfBlemishes And Unsoundnesses

Feet: Discolored HoofHoof CrackFounder

Front Leg: Bowed tendonBucked Shins

Splints

Examples And Location OfBlemishes And Unsoundnesses

Hind Leg: Bog SpavinBone Spavin

Capped HockWindpuffs

(Windgalls)

Location Summary OfBlemishes And Unsoundnesses

Drawing: Wyoming 4-H Horse Project Manual

Conformation---Summary

Conformation = how form relates/function

Conformation is founded or based upon:– Structural Correctness (how skeleton fits together)– Travel (how the horse moves)– Muscling (long/smooth is desired)– Balance (relationship of the above three items)– Type (modern type, taller than long, is preferred)– Quality (overall blend and assessment of features)

conformation evaluation of horses 2007 stephen r schafer, edd university of wyoming 2001 d. karen...

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