Unit 12: Selection & Evaluation

Question 1

2 broad classifications of selection in horses

Answer 1

conformation & pedigree

Question 2

the physical appearance of a horse due to the pattern of muscle, bone, & other body tissues

Answer 2

conformation

Question 3

good conformation is the ___ of body parts to form an athletic horse

Answer 3

blending

Question 4

the bloodlines or ancestors of the horse in question

Answer 4

pedigree

Question 5

4 steps to approach selection

Answer 5

1. soundness & structural deviations
2. do a profile inspection from a distance
3. view from front (chest width, muscling, structure of front legs/hooves)
4. view from rear (muscling of hindquarter & structure of hind legs)

Question 6

3 main points to check for

Answer 6

1. balance
2. structural correctness
3. muscling

Question 7

\_\_\_\_ well-set ears
\_\_\_\_ bold eyes
\_\_\_\_ distance from eye to muzzle
\_\_\_\_ nostrils
\_\_\_\_ muzzle
\_\_\_\_ & \_\_\_\_ characteristics

Answer 7

short, well-set ears
large, bold ears
short distance from eye to muzzle 
large nostrils 
refined muzzle 
sex & breed characteristics

Question 8

overshot muzzle

Answer 8

parrot mouthed

Question 9

undershot muzzle

Answer 9

monkey mouthed

Question 10

the neck is used as a ____ __

Answer 10

balancing arm

Question 11

ratio of top:bottom line of neck

Answer 11

2:1

Question 12

slope of the shoulder is critical for a horse to be ______

Answer 12

balanced

Question 13

approximate slope of the shoulder

Answer 13

45-50 degrees

Question 14

____ the shoulder, the _____ the stride length

Answer 14

stepper; shorter

Question 15

should be ____ at the withers than at the croup

Answer 15

higher

Question 16

hindquarters should form what shape when viewed from the side

Answer 16

square

Question 17

when evaluating the barrel consider what 2 things

Answer 17

spring of rib & heartgirth (indicators of repro and athletic performance)

Question 18

male sex characteristics

Answer 18

prominence of jaw & heavy muscle

Question 19

female sex characteristics

Answer 19

refinement, attractiveness, & adequate muscling

cleaner, refined necks

Question 20

percent BW the forelimbs bear

Answer 20

65%

Question 21

toes that point inward

Answer 21

pigeon-toed

Question 22

hoof flight pattern for toed-in horses

Answer 22

paddling out

Question 23

toes that point outward

Answer 23

splay-footed

Question 24

hoof flight pattern for toed-out

Answer 24

winging or dishing in

Question 25

entire knee in outward deviation

Answer 25

bow-legged

Question 26

entire knee set to inside of straight line from chest to toes

Answer 26

knock-kneed

Question 27

cannon bones set too far to outside of knees

Answer 27

bench-knee

Question 28

knee to far forward in relation to leg (side view)

Answer 28

over at the knee

Question 29

knee behind vertical line bisecting column of bone

Answer 29

back at the knees

Question 30

ideal angles of pastern in front & rear

Answer 30

front: 45 degrees
rear: 50 degrees

Question 31

bowed in at the knees from the rear , hocks inward, feet widely separated

Answer 31

cow-hocked

Question 32

bow-legged from behind, hocks too far apart, base narrow, toed-in

Answer 32

out at the hocks

Question 33

too much angle to hocks

Answer 33

sickle-hocked

Question 34

hind legs behind point of buttock (from side)

Answer 34

camped-out

Question 35

don’t have sufficient angle to hock, leg resembles a post

Answer 35

post-legged