2. Conformation: Balance & Symmetry

Question 1

What is the definition of Conformation?

Answer 1

How a horse’s body is put together

Question 2

What does Conformation consist of?

Answer 2

1. Body shape, relationship between structures, how parts function
2. Determines how a horse moves and how well he can withstand the effect of that movement
3. A horse’s conformation is founded upon the bone structure within
4. Conformation is influenced secondarily by Musculature and fat cover
5. Each breed has a “standard” for correct structure
6. Some aspects of conformation favor a type of activity the horse would be most suited for
7. Many “rules” of good conformation are based on physics and geometry
8. “Form to Function”= Structural for inlfuences serviceable function (athleticism)

Question 3

What is the benefit of knowing how a horse moves and how it can withstand the effect of movement?

Answer 3

A well-built horse can run faster, farther and more nimbly and is less prone to injury

Question 4

When it comes to a horse’s conformation founded upon bone structure what affect it?

Answer 4

1. Relative lengths of bones dicate potential length of step and stride
2. Angular relationships in the shoulder, arm, and hindlimb impact movement style

Question 5

What does it mean when a breed has a “standard” for correct structure?

Answer 5

1. Related to intended use
2. Some characteristics of conformation are universal for atheltic ability

Question 6

What is the benefit of knowing the “rules” of good conformation based on physics and geometry?

Answer 6

1. Structural strength
2. Leverage forces
3. Proper angles

Question 7

What is the importance of Balance & Symmetry?

Answer 7

1. Balance=Relationship between the forehand & hind quarter, between the limbs and the body, and between the right and the left sides of the body
2. Crucial to atheltic ability
3. A good horse is well balanced, symmetrical, and proportional

Question 8

Why is Balance and symmetry crucial to atheletic ability?

Answer 8

Length and proportions of a horse’s body and body play an important role in the form and function of his legs

Question 9

Why does a good horse need to be well balanced, symmetrical and proportional?

Answer 9

1. Optimizes balance
2. Speed & agility
3. Reduces stress/strain

Question 10

What is a horse’s center of gravity?

Answer 10

1. It is a theoretical point in the body which the mass of the horse is equally distributed
2. While standing the point is located near the highest point of the withers, usually behind elbow and halfway down girth, with an imaginary line going from the point of shoulder to point of buttocks
3. A balanced hrose will look like his center of gravity is in the right place

Question 11

Where are the rule of thirds? What occurs if there is a deviation?

Answer 11

1. Shoulder area: point of shoulder to a vertical line drawn where withers meets the back
2. Back: Withers to a vertical line drawn from the point of the hip
3. Hindquarters: Point of hip to vertical line drawn from the point of buttocks
4. Deviation will affect the suitability of the horse.

Question 12

A good horse is? How do we determine this?

Answer 12

1.Square
2.Height at the withers is similar to height at the croup
3.Height at the withers is similar to the length of the body from the point of shoulder to the edge of the butt
4.Depth of the body (withers to girth) is similar to the length of front legs (from elbow to fetlock)

Question 13

When it comes to Wither vs Croup height what is preferable?

Answer 13

1. Ideal: wither height = croup height
2. If croup height > wither height
3. If wither height > croup height

Question 14

What occurs when the wither height = to croup height?

Answer 14

1. Withers do not obtain full hieght until horse is mature (croup height > withers until ~ 3-4 yrs)

Question 15

What occurs when the croup height> wither height?

Answer 15

1. More height and strain on front legs- excessive concussion/force, injury, breakdown; jarring to rider
2. Saddle slides forward; hinders shoulder movement
3. Higher croup does NOT equate to the horse having longer hind legs & more power

Question 16

What occurs when wither height> croup height?

Answer 16

1. Saddle slides back; rider interferes with the horse’s balance
2. More strain on stifle and hocks

Question 17

What can determine if a horse is truly built uphill or downhill?

Answer 17

1. Comparison of height at withers to height at croup is not the best indicator of fore-aft balance
2. It’s more accurate to evaluate slope of backbone (which can be estimated by a line drawn from widest part of the base of the neck to the lumbosacral joint)
3. The goal is to avoid extreme uphill/downhill

Question 18

What does it mean whena horse is a downhill horse? What does this cause?

Answer 18

1.It means front heavy
* It can cause more stress and greater risk of injury to front limbs
* Horse is more suited for straight line activities (racing); performs poorly when activites require collection, lightness, quick stops, or tight turns
* For a general riding horse, avoid downhill angle >5 degree

Question 19

What does it mean when a horse is Uphill? what is the effect?

Answer 19

1. It means it is squatted down
   * Common in gaited breeds; slight uphill often desired for dressage horses (gives lightness to front end and raises head/neck; can enable collection)
   * More stress and greater risk of injury to hips, hocks & stifle.

Question 20

What should the length of head be similar to?

Answer 20

1.Length of back
2.Length of shoulder
3.Depth of body at girth
4.Croup to stifle
5.Stifle to point of hock
6.Point of hock to ground
7.Chestnut on front leg to ground
(Compare 2 of these to the head)

Question 21

What should the length of Neck be?

Answer 21

1. Neck is measured from poll to top of the withers
2. Length of neck should be:
   * One-third of the horse’s total length from nose to point of butt
   * 1 1/2 x length of the head
   * The same length as the front legs
   * Same length as the underline

Question 22

How should the length of back be?

Answer 22

1. Shorter than the underline
2. Shorter than the neck
3. 1/3 of body length (rule of thirds)
4. See “length of head” figure for other similarities to back length

Question 23

How should the length of legs be?

Answer 23

1. Long bodies horse should be long legged
2. Short-bodied, short backed horse should have short legs
3. Long legs + shallow heart girth - makes legs look disproportionately longer
4. Long legs + too-short back - Horse will usually strike front limbs with hind feet
5. Short legs + long body - Stiff, inflexible; awkward movement

Question 24

How should the general symmetry of a horse be?

Answer 24

1. Horse should be balanced in his proportions
2. Left and right side should match
3. Looka t horse from above, front and behind
4. Even if the horse doesn’t have perfect conformation, his imperfections should be symmetrical
5. Body parts that don’t match put more strain on various stress points (Reduces efficiency of gait, hinders atheletic ability and agility)

Question 25

What is the definition of a fault? What does it consist of or lead to?

Answer 25

1. A fault is an undesirable aspect of conformation
2. Examples would be sickle hocks, toed in, too short neck
3. It can lead to a blemish or unsoundness if a horse is worked hard

Question 26

What is the definition of Unsoundness?

Answer 26

Anything that makes a horse lame or unsafe to ride, imparais stamina needed for work, otherweise makes him unable to perform normally

Question 27

What is the definition of Blemish? What is it considered?

Answer 27

1. Unattractive lump, thickening or scar
2. Not considered an unsoundness unless it interferes with movement, the ability of the horse to work, or has the potential to cause lameness