What is a confirmation?

Question

I was talking to my instructor, and i found something weird on the horse, so she said oh thats just her confirmation... i didnt want to seem like an idiot so i didnt ask her what it meant. What does it mean? Thanks! :)

Answer 1

The proper spelling is Conformation.  It is the horse's body structure.  A horse with "good" conformation has a body that is put together the best possible way for the horse to move and perform in the way he is supposed to.

Some horses do not have "good" conformation.  I have one who's butt is higher than his withers.  This causes him to stop on his front end and makes his stride short and choppy.  He is not comfortable with quick stops and turns (failed miserably as a barrel racer) as he cannot gather his rear end up under him.

Answer 2

Conformation is the anatomy of the horse.  You start with the way the skeleton is put together and build the tissues from the inside out.  When you study conformation, you begin by studying skeletal anatomy, and you learn the physics of how the bones that move do so, and what  angles and attachments of a structure allows for the most effective functioning of each, and of the body as a whole.  When you learn to look at the outside of a horse while visualizing the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles beneath the skin, you will be able to assess the conformation of the horse as it applies to different functions. The term conformation comes from the prefix con-, which means "together or with", and the word " form", which refers to shape or structure.  It basically means the way the structures work together in creating a balanced whole.

Answer 3

the conformation of a horse is like what it looks like. eg arabs have smaller heads. thoroughbreds are thin. or some horses have a bony back and others have high withers.also horses have good conformation when they're exactly right.. so not fat not thin etc..

Answer 4

That is what an instructor is for.  To answer questions!  Conformation is just the way the horse/pony is built.  A bit like a bent finger on a human.  Just a quirk of nature.

Answer 5

Conformation is how the horse is built. For example, are their legs straigt, bent, ect.

Answer 6

Sounds like you have your answer!

Answer 7

Conformation not confirmation.  A confirmation is to make sure something is correct but a horse's conformation is how the horse is built.  Are its legs straight, shoulder angled, back the right length, etc.  Each breed has a conformation considered ideal, however even within breeds there are differences determined by what the horse is used for.

Answer 8

Please...don't feel like an idiot for asking a question..that is how we learn..by showing an interest.

Now, if it were me, since you know what the meaning of conformation is...taking a better look at what was "wierd" on the horse and ask your instructor to tell you what it is or point out to you what that horse vs. one that doesn't have it so you can see the difference!!

If you plan to be involved in horses and want to learn and be knowledgeable....by all means ask...you might feel worse many years later not knowing things that you could have or should  have known way back when!!

Remember--"Inquiring minds want to know"!!