How do you tell if a horse has good or bad conformation??

Question

Not just in the legs, but everywhere.

Answer 1

The best way is to study equine anatomy and physiology.  When you can build the horse from the inside out, it becomes easy to spot the flaws that interfere with function, and the basics of good, sound structure.  Good conformation isn't about breed standards...bad conformation is bad no matter what the breed.  Differences in good conformation are related to the different functions performed by different breeds, but it ends there.

For example, sickle hocks are weak and will develop inflammatory changes over time.  Many think it is desirable for draft breeds that pull heavy loads, since it helps them more easily position themselves.  However, the fact is that they break down because of this flaw just as does any horse, so it really is not desirable for sickle hocked drafts to be bred.

If you want to learn more about conformation, there are books and tapes you can buy to study it.  When you go to purchase a horse, find someone who knows about it to accompany you to see the horse.  Before any purchase is final, your vet should assess the conformation and condition of the horse in a pre- purchase examination.

Answer 2

It will take you a long time to learn good and bad conformation!  The best thing to do is read up on it via illustrations and diagrams, and then when you get the gist of it you can practice on photos and live horses.

I recommend "The Horse Conformation Handbook" by Heather Smith-Thomas, and also two links:

Fugly Horse of the Day often does conformation tutorials, and/or has glaringly obvious examples of certain conformational defects and points.

http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2...

The conformation crituqie message board at Fugly Horse of the Day has several very knowledgeable people on it that give great advice.  People post a photo of their horse, and others offer critiques. It's a great way to learn on real horses.

http://fhotd64476.yuku.com/forums/9/t/Co...

Answer 3

It depends on the breed standards. Take a quarter horse for example. The standard for that breed is to have a very big butt and stocky build. If there is a quarter horse with slim legs and a small butt but is still a quarter horse, it has bad confirmation for that breed. Also, there can be bad confirmation in general for all horses. If a horse has a very sunken back (this horse being younger), then it has bad confirmation.

Answer 4

You have to learn what good conformation for each breed is.  Its very hard, but I suggest the Conformation Handbook.  Great book, many illustrations.  Or you could go to a horse judging clinic.  Thats all about conformation.

Answer 5

You have to learn breed standards.

http://www.aqha.com/youth/activities/yws...

http://horses-arizona.com/pages/articles...

This site is extremely helpful in learning how to judge different conformations.

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health...

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health...

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health...

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health...

There are plenty more. Go to the anatomy section and search through there.

Answer 6

Read The Conformation Handbook, it's absolute genius:

http://www.amazon.com/Horse-Conformation...

Answer 7

Well there is a lot to know, even apart from the basics.  I knew the basics but now that I'm in college I know all the little things as well.  I will let you know of the main ideas.

-Equal thirds of the body---length of head and shoulders=length of barrel=length of hind quarters

-Nice sloping shoulder---not too steep, not too shallow

-Short Back

-Long Croup

-Hoof Angle=Pastern Angle

There's much much more and some are different according to breed but these are just some of the basics