Conformation in horses for different jobs.
Equine conformation evaluates the degree of correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other.
Undesirable conformation can limit the ability to perform a specific task.
A horse's conformation is usually judged by what its intended use may be.
A horse with poor form for an international show jumper could have excellent conformation for a World Champion cutting horse, or to be a champion show horse.
Every horse has good and bad points of its conformation and many horses (including Olympic caliber horses) excel even with conformation faults.
If you are looking for a comfy ride, the horse should have medium sloping pasterns to give a low springy step.
Conformation in horses - Horse with upright pasterns
Short upright pasterns are strong but give a more jarring ride.
A coby type horse will have a more upright pastern as it is built for strength, than the thoroughbred horse that is built for speed.
A short back horse is strong but not the comfiest of rides.
A horse with a long back gives a comfy ride but is liable to strain.
Mares are usually longer in the back than geldings or stallions.
A young horse with a hollow back is a sign of poor conformation as this is a weakness.
An old horse with a hollow back is a sign of age.
Suffering horses with arthritis could display signs of a week or dipped back.
A horse whose back is arched is called a roached back.
These are strong but give an uncomfortable ride. A roach back horse can be difficult to fit a saddle.
A horse that has sloping quarters from croup to dock is said to be “goose-rumped” and often accompanies a horses jumping ability.
Straight hocks are good for galloping, but for jumping they have lass leverage.
Horse conformation
“Hocks out behind” may not be suitable for all disciplines.
They have been known to jump well but it is rare for them to compete at a high level in dressage or gallop for some distance.
Conformation in horses >> Home
What is conformation?
Correct conformation
Conformation faults
Foreleg conformation
Conformation - reflective actions
