This can be measured from the point of the shoulder to the highest point of the wither and measured against the straight line of the horizon across the conformation photo. As with the other gaits, the shoulder should be quite open and the horse should demonstrate the tendency to move uphill. The slope of the shoulder measures the angle of the horse’s scapula and is commonly measured from the with-ers to the point of the shoulder. Shoulder slope and shoulder angle are two entirely different things when discussing equine conformation, yet many times the terms are used incorrectly or interchangeably. 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. A short back is achieved by a sloped shoulder and a … Finally, although somewhat more subjective, an attractive head should be wide between large eyes with the jaw bones, at the throat, at least four inches apart. A horse's conformation and structure can limit or expand his options as a performance horse. This esirable slopingd shoulder, at about a 50- degree angle, improves the horse’s range of motion, resulting in a longer, smoother stride and a better ability to bring the legs up in jumping. Exactly between these parts is the pivot point. The head-neck-shoulder hookups in a horse help determine his ability to flex and collect himself, and play a role in his agility and athleticism. Ideally, both angles should be about 45 to 50 degrees. It mostly affects jumping, racing, cutting, reining, polo, eventing, and dressage. Equine Conformation. On an ideal “dressage” shoulder, you can draw a line from the point of the shoulder, up over the spina scapulae (an easily palpable bony ridge), to the middle of the withers. This comprehensive course educates the student in understanding and evaluating conformation. The slope of the shoulder measures the angle of the horse's scapula and is commonly measured from the top of the scapula near the withers to the point of the shoulder. With poor conformation, a horse may be best suited to quiet trail rides. T is correct. Please raise your hands if you are able to point out the conformation fault in the lower horse: Head shape and set: [should note that horse on the bottom has a coarse head, set on neck at awkward angle] Eyes: [small eyes, making a less-pleasant expression. A sloping shoulder is fairly common. In the case of a show jumper, however, the above-described ideal “dressage” shoulder may stand in the way of success. Its angle to the ground should be parallel to the angle of a normal pastern. When the point of shoulder to topline angle is more upright (straight), the shoulder-to-upper-forelimb angle will be more than 90 degrees, and quality of movement is affected. If a line is drawn from the top of the scapula near the to the point of the shoulder and another line is drawn through the top of the scapula near the perpendicular to the ground, the ideal shoulder angle is approximately 45 degrees … With poor conformation, a horse may be best suited to quiet trail rides. The shoulder blade, measured from the top of the withers to the point of shoulder, lies in an upright position, particularly as it follows the scapular spine. An upright shoulder may cause a rough, inelastic ride due to the high knee action. The ideal conformation of a young horse for any competition or sound family mount. Google horse conformation This is from wikipedia The Shoulder Upright shoulder Straight, upright, or vertical shoulder. It increases concussion on front limbs, possibly promoting the development of DJD or navicular disease in hard-working horses. What shoulder angle do you have the most success with? A sloping shoulder has better shock-absorption and provides a comfortable ride because it sets the withers back so the rider is not over the front legs. This comprehensive course educates the student in understanding and evaluating conformation. Correct legs structure can improve desired performance and reduce lameness. A long stride contributes to stamina and assists in maintaining speed. A quality gypsy horse should have the same basic conformation points as any draft type horse. The horse is best used for showing, dressage, jumping, and harness work. Parts of the Horse The horse has an oblique angle of shoulder (measured from the top of the withers to the point of shoulder) with the withers set well behind the elbow. Well sloped shoulder acts as a shock absorber. What angle does the shoulder make in relation to the ground? Conformation is defined as the correctness of bone, musculature, and proportions. Parts of the Horse A taller horse has longer shoulder bones, which allow him to cover more ground with each stride. To submit a photo of your horse to be evaluated in our Conformation Clinic, send us a left-side view photo of your horse (for digital phots: high-resolution, 300 dpi, in at least 3" x 5"). Conformation, according to Ted Stashak, DVM, who wrote The Horseowner’s Guide to Lameness, is the outline of a horse as dictated primarily by his bone and muscle structures. With good conformation, and that important factor of heart and athletic ability, horses are capable of exceptional athletic performance. The ideal slope of the shoulder is approximately 45 to 50 degrees. The horse's entire foreleg should be thought of as one unit because the bones cannot move independently of one another. (Horse 3, page 72, is an example of this type of conformation.) The horse has a long shoulder blade to which attached muscles effectively contract and so increase the extension and efficiency of stride. This course will prepare students to be able to assess the suitability of a horse's conformation for a specific discipline. At the same time, the shoulder acts as a shock absorber—during drop jumps or similar movements—in order to prevent torn muscles or injuries to tendons and ligaments. I like to see the withers and point of croup at the same level. The position and angle of the horse’s shoulder allow you to notice potential, even in the newborn foal. As a horse comes into the breed ring and stands at the peak of the triangle, the judge has only three minutes to make a total assessment. In this position, the shoulder—in combination with an ideally long upper forelimb (humerus)—enables optimal forward range of motion and an ability to cover ground. This conformation type is common, especially in Saddlebreds, Gaited horses, and Thoroughbreds. Ligaments, muscles, and fasciae all together form a sort of net in which the horse’s trunk is suspended between the front limbs. Shoulder slope references the slope at which the scapula sits in direct relation to the horizon, while shoulder angle is the angle created at the joining of the scapula and humerus… The pivot point is most easily seen when a horse is in motion. Enter Your Horse in Conformation Clinic! Together these attributes contribute to length of stride and balance. Conformation and Selection for Performance. The ideal equine shoulder is long and sloping at about a 45-degree angle to the ground. 45 degrees is a "laidback" shoulder, 55 degrees is an "upright" shoulder. the bottom, as compared with the horse on the top of your handout. Desirable conformation. Conformation analysis is the systematic comparison of one horse to another, and all horses to an ideal type for the breed or athletic purpose. Shoulder - The shoulder should have the same slope or angle as the pastern. Understanding the physical features of a horse and how they effect its value and ability to run is essential to being a good owner or handicapper. Conformation 4 | P a g e The Shoulder Angles in the shoulders, hindquarters & pasterns govern whether the horse will be smooth and fluent in his movement and whether he will be sound. The horse uses his head and neck for balance in a pendulum effect to counteract actions of the hind end of his body. The point of shoulder is a hard, bony prominence surrounded by heavy muscle masses. A decisive factor for quality of movement is the length of the shoulder. • Draw or tape a line from the withers to the point of the shoulder. A horse who "fits in a box" will have a body made up of one-third shoulder, one-third back and one-third hindquarters. The shoulder and pastern angles should be between 40 and 55 degrees. The back is the "hub" of a horse, and a short, strong back is essential to a horse staying sound and performing well. A sloping … Angle of the shoulder: The angle of the horse’s shoulder should be approximately 45°. A laid-back or sloping shoulder conformation. The ideal equine shoulder is long and sloping at about a 45-degree angle to the ground. • On the diagram below,a photo, model, or live horse find the following: poll, withers, point of shoulder, loin coupling. The equine shoulder blade measured from the top of the withers to the point of shoulder lies in an upright position, particularly as it follows the scapular spine. John: I don't look at shoulder angle by itself; you must step back and look at the bigger picture to see how the shoulder angle relates to the other angles and to the hind end to evaluate potential ability. (You be the judge—evaluate the conformation of these three young mares.) Sloping Shoulder Conformation often accompanies a deep chest and high withers. With good conformation, and that important factor of heart and athletic ability, horses are capable of exceptional athletic performance. The stress of impact tends to stiffen the muscles of the shoulder, making the horse less supple with a reduced range of motion needed for long stride reach. T is correct. Dec 11, 2018 - Explore Design This & That's board "Horse - Conformation", followed by 368 people on Pinterest. By Don Blazer, with Instructor Eleanor Blazer Lesson Two . An upright horse shoulder conformation is best found in gaited or park showing parade horses, or for equestrian activities requiring a quick burst of speed, like roping or Quarter Horse racing. The range of shoulder slope in the horse is 40 - 60 degrees, with the majority of horses falling between 45-55 degrees. She was pointing out the strengths of one filly's conformation, and mentioned her lovely sloping shoulder. 3. (Horse 1, above, is an example of this type of conformation.) Your horse can have a straight, upright, or vertical shoulder conformation. Long or short neck. Same horse stood up with poor posture - front legs camped under (maybe getting pressure off the heels - caudal heel pain?). The horse is a working animal and its value is determined by the condition of its limbs and feet. It is preferable that the shoulder for a show jumper is set a little bit more “forward”—the line drawn up from the point of the shoulder over the spina scapulae ends a bit in front of, or at least in the front area of the withers). The horse has an oblique angle of shoulder (measured from the top of the withers to the point of shoulder) with the withers set well behind the elbow. A horse's conformation and structure can limit or expand his options as a performance horse. The horse’s body is subject to a number of conformation faults: High withers: can make it difficult to fit a saddle; common in Thoroughbreds. When a horse, standing square, is viewed from the side, a plumb line, dropped from the top of the leg along the middle of the forearm (elbow joint), should fall straight through the middle of the knee (carpus), down the back of the cannon bone, pass through the middle of the fetlock, through the back of the heel bulbs, and end up on the ground just behind the heels. The horse has an elasticity and free swing in its shoulder, enabling extension of stride that is needed in dressage and jumping. Stride length is largely determined by the conformation of the shoulder. • Draw or tape a line from the withers to the point of the shoulder. John: I don't look at shoulder angle by itself; you must step back and look at the bigger picture to see how the shoulder angle relates to the other angles and to the hind end to evaluate potential ability. The slope of the shoulder ties in closely with many other body parts and proportions, such as length of back and neck. 2. This chart can be used to review or learn some body parts of the horse. The head should be in proportion to the rest of the horse. One confor-mation analysis system is known as BSMQTT: balance, structure, muscling, quality, type, and travel. Good conformation improves movement and performance, allows for smoother gaits and makes horses and ponies less likely to go lame. This shoulder conformation contributes to a long, smooth stride. It distributes muscular attachments of the shoulder to the body over a large area, decreasing jar and preventing stiffening of the shoulders with impact. Google horse conformation This is from wikipedia The Shoulder Upright shoulder Straight, upright, or vertical shoulder. If it is on the large side, the horse will be very difficult to raise off the forehand. The post-legged horse, in contrast, generally stands camped-under. Points of a Horse. Horse Conformation. This steep shoulder angle results in a shorter stride and rougher movement, increasing concussion in the … This shoulder conformation contributes to a long, smooth stride. In contrast to the pelvic limbs, the shoulder has no bony attachment to the trunk of the horse. Conformation was simply described as "the relationship of form to function" Beeman (1973).It refers to the physical appearance and outline of a horse as dictated primarily by bones, muscles and other tissues (Holmstrom, 2001; Mcilwraith et al., 2003).Otherwise, conformation is the indicator of performance and orthopaedic health of athletic horses since 360 BC (Morgan, 2002). The shoulder blade, measured from the top of the withers to the point of shoulder, lies in an upright position, particularly as it follows the scapular spine. Such a horse performs well and is pleasing to the horseman’s eye. If that same horse stands up with the canon bone vertical, then they stand camped-out behind. The horse's stance, from the point of shoulder to the buttocks, should equal the distance from the height of the withers to the ground. It can originate as high as the shoulder or hip, as well as in the lower limb, and as the limb advances it wings out. Poor conformation of limbs contributes to certain types of lameness, and … Raising the Bar on Hunter/Jumper Coverage, Pretty Good, Good, and Quit While You’re Ahead, Book Excerpt: Easy Ways to Adjust Your Hips, Spine, and Torso for Better Jumping Position, Book Excerpt: Improve Your Eye’s Accuracy and Your Horse’s Suppleness, Book Excerpt: Brace Yourself — Your Horse Needs 45 Minutes to See Clearly in the Indoor, Book Excerpt: What to Do When You Only Have One Jump, Book Excerpt: The Source of Force in the Horse – the Core, Lucy Deslauriers and Hester Lead the Way, Capturing the Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 CSI5*, H&C Launches New Series “The Dutch Masters Presents” Featuring Legends of the Event, Wednesday Watch: Get Primed for 5* Week at WEF by Watching Quentin Judge and HH Conrad in 2018, Celebrating #BlackEquestrians Presented by Kentucky Performance Products. Now I have not undergone much training to do with equine conformation, posture or anything of that sort except my own research, an unfinished equine management diploma and my own findings in horses I have worked with. the glenoid); the angle of the shoulder has a great effect on the horse's movement and jumping ability, and is an important aspect of equine conformation I'll talk mainly about the shoulder (scapula), humerus, and radius. A horse’s forelimbs should match and bear weight equally. What shoulder angle do you have the most success with? This is the usual depiction of the “sickle-hock” conformation. Shoulder and neck tight, tense. Horses with such a shoulder have a slightly more limited gait quality. Shoulder – The shoulder should have the same slope or angle as the pastern (see diagram below). 7 Horse Conformation Flaws: Piecing Together What We Know. Mobile and balances with the over all conformation of the horse. Every horse has some physical fault with regard to pedigree and conformation. The shoulder has a significant effect on the forelegs’ ability to cover ground, which, in turn, determines the use and the basic quality of the horse. Correctness of conformation is hereditary, so the conformation score of dressage sport-horse breeding stock (mares and stallions, 4 years and older) is weighted more heavily (40 percent) than it is for dressage sport-horse prospect classes because we don’t want heritable faults t… One confor-mation analysis system is known as BSMQTT: balance, structure, muscling, quality, type, and travel. Horse shoulder conformation is important to the movement of your horse and can affect its stride length and the horses ability to jump. 7) Breast The horse's stance, from the point of shoulder to the buttocks, should equal … I'm a professional groom & livery yard manager and have worked with top quality show horses for ... © 2005 - 2020 Local Riding - All rights reserved. “A long or short neck may affect the way the horse rides but it will not affect his … The shoulder’s length should just about equal the distance from the poll to the indentation in front of the withers. The shoulder plays an important part in the evaluation of the overall quality of the horse. A horse can move best with a short back and long neck. A swan neck makes it easy for a horse to lean on the bit and curl behind without lifting its back. This excerpt from Sport Horse Conformation by Christian Schacht is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com). Horse Conformation - Head, Neck and Shoulders Horse with good neck conformation for dressage. He/She should have a nice, short back, with a well sloped shoulder angled to compliment the angle of the well rounded croup. 3. In this excerpt from Sport Horse Conformation by veterinarian and German FN-certified breeding and horse management expert Christian Schacht, find out what to look for in a jumper prospect when it comes to front-end conformation. The minimum requirement is that this point has to be, at the very least, the same height as the hip joint. An upright shoulder causes the shoulder joint to be open and set low over a short, steep arm bone, making it difficult for horse to elevate its shoulders and fold its angles tightly, which is needed to develop a good jump or for cutting horses. Good conformation is key to the intended performance of your horse. The laid back scapula slides back to the horizontal as the horse lifts its front legs, increasing the horse’s scope over fences. Question:How does the conformation of the horse's back affect jumping ability? The horse will have shorter muscular attachments that have less ability to contract and lengthen. Stride length is largely determined by the shoulder. angle of the horse's shoulder and hip determine the stride, not the horse's size, length of leg or height. Shoulder: made up of the scapula and associated muscles, runs from the withers to the point of shoulder (the joint at the front of the chest, i.e. This shortens the stride length, which requires the horse to take more steps to cover ground and increases the risk of injury to the structures of the front legs; and hastens muscular fatigue. The connection of the shoulder to the horse’s upper forelimb (scapula to humerus) should form a right angle or, even better, less than 90 degrees. The Conformation . Low withers: interfere with the freedom of the shoulder, and don’t hold a saddle well. Shoulder slope and shoulder angle are two entirely different things when discussing equine conformation, yet many times the terms are used incorrectly or interchangeably. One of the most important is straightness. Her shoulder was also very tight and it was almost impossible to get even a finger under the scapula. Therefore, they have an even greater need for development of the carrying and “spring” power of the hind legs in order to minimize the horse’s tendency to support himself on the front legs. An upright shoulder can affects all sport horses. Shoulder slope references the slope at which the scapula sits in direct relation to the horizon, while shoulder angle is the angle created at the joining of the scapula and humerus… A few aspects of conformation particularly impact the horse’s feet. Both toes are expected to point forward, and when the horse stands square the feet should stand as wide as the limbs are at their origin (i.e., the chest). CONFORMATION Learn to find a horse’s balance! Shoulder #2 Conformation of the Shoulder #3 Conformation of the Foreleg (Pastern) T Sloping Shoulder G Steep Shoulder A Steep Pastern This esirable slopingd shoulder, at about a 50-degree angle, improves the horse’s range of motion, resulting in a longer, smoother stride and a better ability to bring the legs up in jumping. The longer the bones of the shoulder blade and arm, the easier it is to fold legs in and tuck over fences. A long, more angled shoulder works like a pendulum and not only provides better shock absorption but also increases length of stride in all gaits; as the pendulum’s trajectory decreases, the angle to the upper forelimb remains the same and the entire leg is positioned too far back. A shorter horse, on the other hand, can make quick, agile movements because he has shorter shoulder bones. A laid-back or sloping shoulder conformation. CONFORMATION Learn to find a horse’s balance! Ideally a horse should have a shoulder slope that is between 45 to 50 degrees that matches the slope of the pasterns. When a forward-set shoulder (meaning the line from the point of the shoulder up the scapula ends in front of the withers) has a 90-degree or less shoulder/upper forelimb angle, it can be somewhat advantageous for a jumper. Low withers: interfere with the freedom of the shoulder, and don’t hold a saddle well. This Conformation Clinic originally appeared in the January 2006 issue of Horse & Rider magazine. Conformation analysis is the systematic comparison of one horse to another, and all horses to an ideal type for the breed or athletic purpose. Conformation: Form to Function A horse’s conformation determines his efficiency of movement, which in turn directly affects his soundness. The neck should be set on perpendicular to the slope of the horse’s shoulder and should be longer than the back. Back looks tight, loins look hard and as if they are holding up the horse's hind end. Forelimb Conformation. The slope of the horse’s shoulder is one of the most crucial aspects to consider. This shock-absorber function is achieved when the shoulder angle equals the angle of the side of the hoof (and pastern). Make sure he's well-groomed, looking straight ahead and standing on level ground--and try … The connection of the shoulder to the horse’s upper forelimb (scapula to humerus) should form a right angle or, even better, less than 90 degrees. Front end conformation has always baffled me, so this little bit of research helped my understanding of this aspect of conformation. Medium to low wither that ideally tops at the 4th vertebra. A horse with a long, well-sloped shoulder and hip will usually be … Conformation goes hand in hand with movement because a horse with conformational weaknesses has to work harder when he eventually works under the rider. The horse usually will not have good form over fences, but will find it easier to accelerate in sprinting events. The higher it is on the shoulder, the more freedom the horse will have in the shoulder. This course will prepare students to be able to assess the suitability of a horse's conformation for a specific discipline. CONFORMATION . A straight equine shoulder often accompanies low withers. The shoulder should never be shorter than the head. Even though the quality of an extended trot depends on the engagement of the hindquarters, the length of stride of the front limbs demonstrates the expression of a spectacular gait. 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. And yet, I take my time as I look at the horse standing in front of me. The shoulder should be relatively sloping, forming an angle of 45 degrees or so with the ground. This protects the body from the wear caused by strain from constant grazing. When the point of shoulder to topline angle is more upright (straight), the shoulder-to-upper-forelimb angle will be more than 90 degrees, and quality of movement is affected. Equine Conformation. A horse’s conformation is the way a horse is built. The horse’s body is subject to a number of conformation faults: High withers: can make it difficult to fit a saddle; common in Thoroughbreds. Conformation is defined as the form or outline of an animal. Judging Conformation. Mark each point. A horse’s conformation is the way a horse is built. To Evaluate a horses conformation you must know several common names associated with horse anatomy.
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