Conformation Evaluation
Of Horses
2001
D. Karen Hansen, PhD
University of Wyoming
2007
Stephen R Schafer, EdD
University of Wyoming
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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)
Environment (Nutrition, Handling)
Genetics
PERFORMANCE CONFORMATION
Training
Disposition "Mind"
Factors Used In
Conformation Evaluation

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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 wellmuscled 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
Drawings: Unknown Source
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
Drawings: Unknown Source
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.
Photo: EQUUS
Muscling

Quality of Muscling is important in all breeds

There will be breed differences

Have enough muscling to do the job required
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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
Photo: EQUUS
Balance

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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
Drawing: Wyoming 4-H Horse Project Manual
Location Summary Of
Blemishes And Unsoundnesses
Drawing: Wyoming 4-H Horse Project Manual
Conformation---Summary
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Conformation = how form relates/function

Conformation is founded or based upon:
–
–
–
–
–
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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)