Conformation Evaluation
Of Horses
Steve Schafer, EdD
4-H/Youth Development/Education Specialist
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)
Genetics
Training Disposition "Mind"
PERFORMANCE CONFORMATION
Environment (Nutrition, Handling)
Factors Used In
Conformation Evaluation
Structure
Travel
Muscling
Balance
Type
Quality
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
Structural Correctness
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
Structural Correctness
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
Structural Correctness
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
Structural Correctness
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
Structural Correctness
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”
Structural Correctness
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.
Structural Correctness
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
Structural Correctness
Structural Correctness
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)
Structural Correctness
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)
Structural Correctness
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.
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:
pectoral
forearm
shoulder
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
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 Of
Blemishes 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 Of
Blemishes And Unsoundnesses
Feet: Discolored Hoof
Hoof Crack
Founder
Front Leg: Bowed tendon Bucked Shins Splints
Examples And Location Of
Blemishes And Unsoundnesses
Hind Leg: Bog Spavin
Bone Spavin
Capped Hock
Windpuffs (Windgalls)
Location Summary Of
Blemishes And Unsoundnesses
Location Summary Of
Blemishes And Unsoundnesses
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)