What is Good Conformation?
Conformationthe way a horse is put togetherwill determine not only how sound a horse remains throughout his life, but will also determine to what extent he will excel at his particular discipline. While some points of conformation vary with the type of horse and what job he is doing, there are some general rules of conformation that most horsemen agree on.
Feet
Feet should be large enough to support the horse and his weight, and the hoof wall should be hard but not brittle. The front feet and the back feet should appear to be symmetrical from all angles. The sole should be slightly concave, and heels should be even where they join the sole.
Legs
Legs should be straight. Legs that are out of alignment can result in soundness problems, as the forces that travel up the leg of the horse as he moves will affect other parts of the body, depending upon where legs deviate. Legs should also be symmetrical, with no bumps or bulges. Each pair of legs should also match each other.
Joints
Good joints are imperative to any horse who performs. Joints should have the correct axis, and they should be symmetrical, free of lumps, cool to the touch, and should be in proportion to the size of the horse. If one joint seems too large it should be examined for injury. If all joints seem too large the horse should be examined by a veterinarian for nutritional or metabolic problems. From the front view, a line dropped from the point of the shoulder to the ground should bisect the knee, fetlock, and hoof. From the side view, the line from the front of the fetlock, along the top of the pastern, and continuing along the front of the foot to the ground should be straight.
Shoulder
Good shoulder conformation will depend upon what the horse is being used for, as shoulder slope and how long the shoulder is varies with breed type and use. As a general rule of thumb, horses used for speed should have a long, sloping shoulder, while those used for power have more upright shoulders.
Withers
Since withers are what keeps a well in place, any ridden horse needs to have appropriate withers. Horses with flat withers, often called mutton withers, often have difficulty being ridden up and down hills, but can sometimes fare well on the flat. Poorly conformed withers can cause pain in the ridden horse and can lead to unsoundness.
Hip
The angle and length of the hip should match the angle and hip of the shoulder. While short hip lengths rarely cause unsoundness they can negatively impact speed and power.
Back and Neck
The long back versus short back debate continues depending upon the use of the horse. While long-backed horses do tire more easily, they can be more comfortable to ride. Long-backed horses can also excel at jumping because of the scope the long back allows them. Long backs also allow more movement in the horse's legs, which is why many long-backed horses excel at driving.
The length, shape, and way a horse's neck connects to the chest and the back will vary depending upon the breed and use of the horse. Horses who run need longer necks, while horses who show in park or pleasure classes often benefit from aesthetically pleasing upright necks.
Eyes
Horses need big, well-placed eyes. Horses with small eyes may suffer from impaired vision or have a medical problem. Eyes should not be set too far toward the sides of the head, otherwise peculiar fields of vision are sure to be an issue.
Nostrils
The nostrils should be open and symmetrical, to allow for maximum air intake. Horses with extremely dished heads or thick necks sometimes have difficulty taking in the right amount of air despite nostril size, so make sure you take these things into consideration.
Ron Petracek is the founder of Equine Internets vast 15 site classified and social network. You can view its amazing size here Http://www.equineinternet.com/network.php or to further your equine habit please visit our forum by clicking here http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums and start posting Need to sell a horse or tack? place a free ad here http://www.click4equine.com and always the barn door in left open on purpose.Home Remedy For Dog Ear Infection
Attack Dog Training
Dog Constipation Remedy
How To Buy And Raise A Good Healthy Dog
Craft Dog Kid Puppy
Allergy Dog Natural Remedy
Dog Fence Installation Underground
Create A Dog
Dog Kennel
Rescue Dog Training
Dog Temperament
Dog Diarrhea Home Remedy
Dog Flea Remedy
Homeopathic Remedy For Dog
Dog House Training
Dog Health Tip
Remote Dog Training
Security Dog Training
Clicker Dog Training
Dog Problems
Dog Training Tip Online Free
Dog Training
Rescue Remedy For Dog
Home Remedy Dog Urine
Dog Training Nj
Dog Ear Infection Natural Remedy
Boxer Dogs Make Great Pets
Dog Itchy Skin Home Remedy
Pointing Dog Training Tip
Dog Breeding Tip
Housebreaking
Buy Dog Kennel
Buy Hot Dog
Top 5 Things You Must Know When Training For Aggressive Dogs
Bird Dog Training Tip
Dog Kennels
Anxiety Remedy Dog
Holistic Remedy For Dog
Small Dog Breeding
Dog Fox Like Look That
After Dog Look
How To Tips
All About Dog
Country Dog Home Remedy Vets
Blue Dog Training
Arthritis Dog Home Remedy
Buy Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Biting Dog Training
Tips And Tricks On Dog Training
Dog Fighting Underground
Dog Flea Frontline Remedy Tick
Nashville Dog Training
Breeder Dog
Dog Potty Tip Training
Buy Dog Toy
Dog Home Mange Remedy Treatment
Buy Real Dog
Home Remedy For Vomiting Dog
Place To Buy A Dog
Dog Trainer Austin
Dog Training Methods
Dog Behavior Problem
Home Remedy For Constipated Dog
Dog Advice
Dog Constipation Home Remedy
Home Remedy For Dog
Dog Training Tricks
Dog Pets
Dog Canine
Home Remedy For Dog
Dog Guide Guide Instant Instant
Dog Obedience Teach
Dog Training
Dog Obedience Tip
Buy Dog Prairie
Dog Grooming Tip
Dog Flea Get Naturally Rid
Home Remedy For Sick Dog
Bird Buy Dog House We
Good Dog Training
Dog Guide Natural Remedy Veterinarian
Home Remedy For Dog Ear Mites
Cabin Dog Fast Fun Others Project Quilt Theme
Caring For Your Dog
Why Selective Breeding Is Important To A Chihuahua
Dog Ear Infection Remedy
Hunting Dog Training
Dog Behavior Problems
Dog And Vomiting And Remedy
Potty Training For Dogs
Natural Remedy For Dog
Crate Training For Dogs
Dog Home Mange Remedy Treatment
Dog Snoring Remedy
Border Collie Dog
Pet Dog
Buy Dog Online
Dog Behaviour Training
Sirius Dog Training
Sheep Dog Training
Feet
Feet should be large enough to support the horse and his weight, and the hoof wall should be hard but not brittle. The front feet and the back feet should appear to be symmetrical from all angles. The sole should be slightly concave, and heels should be even where they join the sole.
Legs
Legs should be straight. Legs that are out of alignment can result in soundness problems, as the forces that travel up the leg of the horse as he moves will affect other parts of the body, depending upon where legs deviate. Legs should also be symmetrical, with no bumps or bulges. Each pair of legs should also match each other.
Joints
Good joints are imperative to any horse who performs. Joints should have the correct axis, and they should be symmetrical, free of lumps, cool to the touch, and should be in proportion to the size of the horse. If one joint seems too large it should be examined for injury. If all joints seem too large the horse should be examined by a veterinarian for nutritional or metabolic problems. From the front view, a line dropped from the point of the shoulder to the ground should bisect the knee, fetlock, and hoof. From the side view, the line from the front of the fetlock, along the top of the pastern, and continuing along the front of the foot to the ground should be straight.
Shoulder
Good shoulder conformation will depend upon what the horse is being used for, as shoulder slope and how long the shoulder is varies with breed type and use. As a general rule of thumb, horses used for speed should have a long, sloping shoulder, while those used for power have more upright shoulders.
Withers
Since withers are what keeps a well in place, any ridden horse needs to have appropriate withers. Horses with flat withers, often called mutton withers, often have difficulty being ridden up and down hills, but can sometimes fare well on the flat. Poorly conformed withers can cause pain in the ridden horse and can lead to unsoundness.
Hip
The angle and length of the hip should match the angle and hip of the shoulder. While short hip lengths rarely cause unsoundness they can negatively impact speed and power.
Back and Neck
The long back versus short back debate continues depending upon the use of the horse. While long-backed horses do tire more easily, they can be more comfortable to ride. Long-backed horses can also excel at jumping because of the scope the long back allows them. Long backs also allow more movement in the horse's legs, which is why many long-backed horses excel at driving.
The length, shape, and way a horse's neck connects to the chest and the back will vary depending upon the breed and use of the horse. Horses who run need longer necks, while horses who show in park or pleasure classes often benefit from aesthetically pleasing upright necks.
Eyes
Horses need big, well-placed eyes. Horses with small eyes may suffer from impaired vision or have a medical problem. Eyes should not be set too far toward the sides of the head, otherwise peculiar fields of vision are sure to be an issue.
Nostrils
The nostrils should be open and symmetrical, to allow for maximum air intake. Horses with extremely dished heads or thick necks sometimes have difficulty taking in the right amount of air despite nostril size, so make sure you take these things into consideration.
Ron Petracek is the founder of Equine Internets vast 15 site classified and social network. You can view its amazing size here Http://www.equineinternet.com/network.php or to further your equine habit please visit our forum by clicking here http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums and start posting Need to sell a horse or tack? place a free ad here http://www.click4equine.com and always the barn door in left open on purpose.Home Remedy For Dog Ear Infection
Attack Dog Training
Dog Constipation Remedy
How To Buy And Raise A Good Healthy Dog
Craft Dog Kid Puppy
Allergy Dog Natural Remedy
Dog Fence Installation Underground
Create A Dog
Dog Kennel
Rescue Dog Training
Dog Temperament
Dog Diarrhea Home Remedy
Dog Flea Remedy
Homeopathic Remedy For Dog
Dog House Training
Dog Health Tip
Remote Dog Training
Security Dog Training
Clicker Dog Training
Dog Problems
Dog Training Tip Online Free
Dog Training
Rescue Remedy For Dog
Home Remedy Dog Urine
Dog Training Nj
Dog Ear Infection Natural Remedy
Boxer Dogs Make Great Pets
Dog Itchy Skin Home Remedy
Pointing Dog Training Tip
Dog Breeding Tip
Housebreaking
Buy Dog Kennel
Buy Hot Dog
Top 5 Things You Must Know When Training For Aggressive Dogs
Bird Dog Training Tip
Dog Kennels
Anxiety Remedy Dog
Holistic Remedy For Dog
Small Dog Breeding
Dog Fox Like Look That
After Dog Look
How To Tips
All About Dog
Country Dog Home Remedy Vets
Blue Dog Training
Arthritis Dog Home Remedy
Buy Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Biting Dog Training
Tips And Tricks On Dog Training
Dog Fighting Underground
Dog Flea Frontline Remedy Tick
Nashville Dog Training
Breeder Dog
Dog Potty Tip Training
Buy Dog Toy
Dog Home Mange Remedy Treatment
Buy Real Dog
Home Remedy For Vomiting Dog
Place To Buy A Dog
Dog Trainer Austin
Dog Training Methods
Dog Behavior Problem
Home Remedy For Constipated Dog
Dog Advice
Dog Constipation Home Remedy
Home Remedy For Dog
Dog Training Tricks
Dog Pets
Dog Canine
Home Remedy For Dog
Dog Guide Guide Instant Instant
Dog Obedience Teach
Dog Training
Dog Obedience Tip
Buy Dog Prairie
Dog Grooming Tip
Dog Flea Get Naturally Rid
Home Remedy For Sick Dog
Bird Buy Dog House We
Good Dog Training
Dog Guide Natural Remedy Veterinarian
Home Remedy For Dog Ear Mites
Cabin Dog Fast Fun Others Project Quilt Theme
Caring For Your Dog
Why Selective Breeding Is Important To A Chihuahua
Dog Ear Infection Remedy
Hunting Dog Training
Dog Behavior Problems
Dog And Vomiting And Remedy
Potty Training For Dogs
Natural Remedy For Dog
Crate Training For Dogs
Dog Home Mange Remedy Treatment
Dog Snoring Remedy
Border Collie Dog
Pet Dog
Buy Dog Online
Dog Behaviour Training
Sirius Dog Training
Sheep Dog Training
| Permalink | 