Conformation Assignment Example

View 5

I have noted that when looking at view 5, the top part of the face, as indicated is irregular (uneven). It could also be because of the angle the horse’s head. The Left is bigger than the right side, this might be an indication that the horse is only chewing on the one side and that there might need a dentist as he is only 4 years old and is still growing.

View 5

The sclera is not very clear in View 5,

but from the little that is visible it appears to be dark. This horse does appear lack a degree of alertness. The size of the eyes is in proportional with the head and prominent. He will therefore not have any problems with vision.

The Jaw line shows to be strong and broad and the top & bottom meets evenly, with satisfactory jowls (jowls that are well developed and in proportion with the rest of the head). As this is an evaluation from a photo, I can not measure the space between the jaws, but if we look at views 1, 2 & 5 it is safe to say that it is well developed and I could not detect any conformational faults of the jaw.

View 1

View 2

The head tapers down to a small muzzle that is also in proportional with the rest of the head, the nostrils are big, thin-walled and open, therefore the horse would be able to handle large quantities of oxygen. The lips are nice and firm and does not show any sign of sagginess.

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The Neck: Views 1 & 2

A horse’s neck in general adds to its overall appearance and it also determines how it will carry its head. The neck connects the head to the shoulders, starting at the poll and terminating at the withers. Preferably the neck should be in proportion and the muscle along the top line of the neck should be stronger than the muscles on the under line.

When watching a horse at a canter, a horse’s body can travel straight ahead while the head is floating on a supporting column of ‘the neck’, it can turn to check out the surroundings or even prepare for the next change in direction, amazing!!!

The length of the neck should be around ⅓ (one-third) of the total body length i.e. measured from the tip of the muzzle to the buttock.

View 1 shows that the horse has a good neck length i.e. ⅓ of the total body length, measurement from the muzzle to the buttocks and is well carried. The head & neck are set at a good angle i.e. not below the point of shoulder and this horse will easily be able to do any discipline with this length neck, except for jumping.

The size of the neck also plays an important roll in the balance & head carriage.

View 1 show that this horse has a thin neck and it does affect the overall appearance, but with the correct exercise programme the neck can be built-up to be in proportion with the rest of the body.

View 1

The throatlatch is also important as the air, blood & nerve impulses from the brain travel through this area and it is vital to the horse’s performance.

From views 1 & 2, I would say that this horse has a clean throatlatch and would therefore have no problem with performance.

View1 View 2

The shape of the neck is also important as this does not only add to the overall appearance of the horse, but it goes hand in hand with a relaxed and healthy back, as the back muscles reaches two-thirds of the way up into the horse’s neck.

The horse should also show some crest, but not excessively. The crest can also be considered to be the top line of the neck.

Above views 1 & 2 shows that this horse has a straight top line with a slightly concaved underline. The slightly concaved underline could be caused by resisting through the neck, instead of relaxing through the back when training, as the sternocephalic muscle looks very tight. Long and low ground work will help him relax through the back and solve the problem and after achieving that the horse could perform in a discipline like Pleasure riding.

Thin necked horses commonly show a straight with almost no crest, whereas this horse shows a slight crest . I would prefer this horse to show slightly more crest and have more muscle build, as the neck has a thin appearance and is not in balanced with the rest of the body.

The last thing we look at is the placement of the neck i.e. the angle at which it comes out of the body. A good angle will make it easy for the horse to travel with his neck level naturally. The top line should flow smoothly into the withers & shoulders. When looking at the ideal neck, the base of the neck must be set on at the point of the shoulder or higher.

View 1 View 2

Looking at views 1 & 2, we can see that the neck comes out of the body above the point of the shoulder and at a good angle. I would therefore say that this horse’s neck has a good placement.

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The Withers: Views 1 & 2

We can describe the withers as the meeting point of the neck, back and peak of the shoulders. The withers should be distinct and muscular and slope smoothly into the back, with no unevenness.

The withers help to keep the saddle in place and the muscles provide some padding, and if a horse has a conformational fault of the withers it could be difficult to keep the saddle in place.

Views 1 & 2 shows that this horse has a good medium high withers and the shape is well defined, with good muscular cushioning.

View 1 View 2