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Welcome to:Horse Conformation

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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 ClassReferences

ReferencesLoch, 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

Heird, J. C. (1994). Competitive horse judging. Retrieved from: www.aqha.com/~/media/99CC10097D56497EBDE93F18F672A0CD.ashx

Horsemanship score sheet. Retrieved from: www.aqha.com/en/~/.../F49711799A1F4D0594F5EA3B6AF96743.ashx

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http://www.aqha.com/~/media/FA71659B161048F1B85C635362E3EFB5.ashx



http://www.aqha.com/~/media/99CC10097D56497EBDE93F18F672A0CD.ashx



http://www.aqha.com/en/~/.../F49711799A1F4D0594F5EA3B6AF96743.ashx



IntroductionThis instructional guide, Conformation: Form to Function, covers the desirable characteristics we

seek in the conformation of horses.

Throughout this guide you will find a

Use these to test your knowledge on the topics covered.

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Ultimatehorsesite.com

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Review the Basics

Evaluating Conformation

Summary

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Ultimatehorsesite.com

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Review the BasicsThere are four general areas of the horse to consider when evaluating conformation:

1. Balance2. Structural Correctness3. Muscling4. Breed and Sex Characteristics

Before we dive in, lets refresh on a few basics.

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Function Animals.nationalgeographic.com

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ConformationConformation is the physical appearance of an

animal due to the arrangement of muscle, bone and other body tissue.

Form to FunctionThere is NO perfectly conformed horse.

However, the conformation of a horse depicts its athletic ability to perform.


Function

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Body PartsLets familiarize ourselves with relevant body parts

of the horse.


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Click on an area of the horse’s body to reveal its relevant body parts.

Ansci.okstate.edu

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Function

HomePoll Neck

Throatlatch

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Back


Function

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Point of Shoulder

Withers

Shoulder

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Function

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Knee

Elbow

Forearm

Cannon Bone

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Fetlock



Function

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Function

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Point of Buttock

Point of Hip Croup

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Function

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Hock

Gaskin

Thigh

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Cannon Bone

Fetlock

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Which of the following is NOT a general area for evaluating conformation?

Balance

Structural Correctness

Temperament

Breed & Sex Characteristics

Muscling


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icanhascheezburger.com

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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


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Evaluating ConformationBalance

Structural Correctness

Muscling


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BalanceBalance 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

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Slope of ShoulderSlope 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.


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Aqha.com

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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.


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Aqha.com


NeckSome 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.


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Aqha.com


WithersIdeally, the withers should be sharp, prominent, and

slightly higher than the hindquarters.

A mutton withered horse will produce difficulties with holding a saddle on.


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Aqha.com


HindquartersFrom 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.


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Aqha.comAqha.com

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Continue to Slope of Shoulder

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What is the most important aspect of balance?

Top to Bottom Line Ratio of Back

Length of Croup

Slope of Shoulder

Prominence of Withers


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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


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Structural CorrectnessStructural 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

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Aqha.comAqha.com

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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


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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

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Hind Limb Deviations


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The following are common deviations found in the hind limb.

Remember, No deviation is desirable.

Ag.auburn.edu Ag.auburn.edu

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Fore LimbAs with the hind limb, the horse should stand on a

straight column of bone in the fore limb with no deviations.


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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

Ag.auburn.edu

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Fore Limb Deviations


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The following are common deviations found in the fore limb.

Remember, No deviation is desirable.

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Fore Limb Deviations


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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

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Which of these deviations is least desirable?


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Ag.auburn.edu

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Correct!Great job! Calf-kneed is very undesirable because of

the lack of support it causes in the forehand.


Function

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Continue to MusclingReturn to Evaluating Conformation


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MusclingIt 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.


Function

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Aqha.com


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Quick Review!

Which horse has more desirable muscling?


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Animalscience.tamu.edu

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Animalscience.tamu.edu

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Vichorse.com

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Correct!

Great job! This horse does show a better

balance of muscling from the forehand to the

hindquarters.


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Continue to Breed & Sex Characteristics


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Partyponies.wordpress.com

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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.


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Stallionsnow.com

glenlomond.com.au

Paint Stallion

Quarter Horse Mare

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Which horse shows more masculinity?


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Equine-world.orgGulsbyquarterhorses.com

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Lolhorses.com



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Correct!Great job! You can see his masculinity especially

through his jowls (cheeks).


Function

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Continue to SummaryReturn to Evaluating Conformation

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Latimesblog.latimes.com


SummaryA 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.

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Discoverhorses.com

Regardinghorses.com

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Practice Class

Stock Type Mares

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14 323 2 2

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423

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.

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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.

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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.

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Congratulations!

Now you have an understanding of the

foundations of judging horses!HAPPY TRAILS!


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