Selecting Your Horse

The author admires an Arabian horse. This Saddle Horse was a reserve champion amateur. All American Saddle Horse. A Champion Tennessee Walking Horse has a wonderful slope to the shoulder and shows lots of quality. Most of the apparent attributes of the ideal Quarter Horse—power, speed, quality, beauty and disposition—are captured in one painting by Darol Dickinson, artist. A Colorful Appaloosa. This horse is being shown in a Western Pleasure or equitation class. A champion long-tailed hackney exhibiting extreme knee and hock flexion, so typical of the breed. Long-tail hackneys may be shown as fine harness ponies. Hackneys with docked tails are referred to as cob-tails and are shown as heavy harness ponies. Expressive eyes and ears, strong backs, and brilliant action and their hallmarks.

Usually people have a definite preference for a specific breed or type of horse or pony. They may prefer the Arabian for its unusual beauty, quality, endurance, and spirit. If it's speed, jumping ability, or considerable size, they might choose a horse of Thoroughbred type.

Arabians are solid-colored, often with white on the legs and face though bitten grays (white with black or brown tick marks) are common. The skin is black; black should show around the eyes and muzzle. Characteristically, Arabians have a slight dished face. Quality and refinement of the head, neck, and legs are the hallmarks of the breed. Arabians have excelled in endurance races and their versatility of use (ridden Western or English or hitched to a buggy), coupled with their great presence and elegance, contribute greatly to their current popularity.

The Thoroughbred excels at every use that calls for speed (racing, polo, hunting, gymkhana events, etc.). Thoroughbreds vary in size and are usually big, strong, well-muscled horses. However, they usually lack the presence of the Arabian and the action of the saddle-bred so are shown primarily in hunter-jumper performance classes and as hunter equitation mounts. Their willingness, speed, size (15 - 17 hands), and ability make them ideal jumpers. Of course their long suit is as race horses.

The American Saddle Horse excels in the gaited class, but also makes an excellent pleasure horse and may be used for stock work. They have long necks and level croups, high quality, and lots of "fire and nerve." Beauty and action are their long suits and as show horses they have few equals. However, they require much training and special shoeing to perform at their best advantage in the show ring.

The Tennessee Walking Horse is truly a pleasure horse with a good disposition. Usually they are stronger about the head, heavier-boned, and carry their heads lower than the American Saddle Horse, and have some set or excessive angle at the hocks. Their usual gait, the running walk, entitles them to special classes in horse shows. This same gait makes them a pleasure to ride whether in or out of the show ring. They have some of the same drawbacks as American Saddle Horses; they require considerable training and special and regular re-shoeing. Walking horses vary in color. Roan is quite common and horses with considerable white on the face, legs, and belly are frequently seen. Black has become the most common color since 1970.

The Quarter Horse is the most popular stock horse in the United States. Most horse shows provide special Quarter Horse classes in reining, cutting, and barrel races. In addition, a good disposition, adaptability for many uses, simple showing requirements, and easy keeping qualities make them an ideal western pleasure horse. Heavy, showy muscling (bulldog type) was at one time desired. A taller, better-moving horse is now preferred.

The Morgan is another breed well adapted to a variety of uses with many shows having special Morgan classes for riders who prefer either Western or English equipment. Morgans are also very popular driving horses. In some respects Morgans are more versatile than either the American Saddle Horse or Quarter Horse. Taller (15 to 15.3 hands), better-moving Morgans are now preferred. Chestnut, bay, and black are the usual colors.

Palaminos, Appaloosas, and Pintos are popular breeds with distinctive color patterns and may represent either the western stock horse or a type more closely resembling the American Saddle Horse. The Palomino does not breed true to color, though the Appaloosa and Pinto colors are quite easy to establish and maintain through selective breeding. The overall color pattern of Pinto or Paint horses may carry a lethal white gene.

The Shetland Pony, at a maximum height of 11.2 hands (46 inches); and the Welsh pony, and Pony of America, usually 13.2 hands (54 inches) and under; are popular youngsters' ponies. The Welsh pony (often gray or solid colored with white on the face and legs) is well suited for children's hunter and jumper classes. The Shetland comes in a variety of colors and is used in various driving classes (hitched to buggies or sulkies) besides being an excellent riding pony for small youngsters. The ideal pony should resemble a miniature saddle horse rather than a miniature draft horse, as was once the style.

For detailed information about the various breeds of horses and ponies, refer to library books and journals under categories of breeds of horses or breeds of livestock.

Fundamentals of Conformation and Horse Judging

William H. Slemp
Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Missouri-Columbia

Horses must be "athletes" to be useful. Certain qualities of conformation are necessary for good performance. Discussion in this guide can be applied to any breed or weight of horse.

PHOTO/DIAGRAM COURTESY OF THE
APPALOOSA HORSE CLUB
http://www.appaloosa.com

Body dimensions and performance

If shoulders are long and sloping, they extend the stride in running, absorb shock, reduce stumbling, move the elbows away from the girth, and raise the head slightly. They should be surmounted by clean, high withers that extend well backward to afford maximum security of the saddle.

Short backs and long underlines move the fore and rear legs farther apart, tend to raise the croup and head, contribute to style and action, and increase height and length of stride. Also, short backs are stronger, reduce the length of coupling (hip bone to last rib), and are usually more muscular than others. Finally, well-sprung ribs that blend into hips and shoulders with minimum roughness tend to accompany short backs.

Long, rather level croups accommodate more muscling, increase style and balance, and are less often associated with crooked hind legs.

Since all of the power used in motion comes from the hindquarters, muscular development should be extensive, commensurate with breed requirements. Breeching, thighs and gaskins should be especially muscular. Long, smooth muscles are preferred to those that are short and bunchy.

Leverage is gained with maximum length from hip to hock and minimum length of cannon. These dimensions are developed to a high degree in breeds that race.

Smoothness, balance and symmetry are a result of all parts blending together, being of proportionate size, and each contributing equally to the whole of a symmetrical individual. These combined with refinement, alertness and a proud carriage contribute to style.

Leg set

If a horse stands straight, he will probably move straight. Conversely, if he stands on crooked legs, he must move likewise (see Leg Set: Its Effect on Action and Soundness of Horses). Crooked moving detracts from appearance, wastes energy and predisposes to unsoundnesses.

Legs should be positioned on the corners of the body. A straight line drawn from the arm downward should bisect the forearm, knee, cannon, fetlock, and pass behind the bulb of the heel. A line drawn from the point of the shoulder downward should bisect the arm, knee, cannon, fetlock, pastern, and hoof.

When viewed from the side, a straight line drawn downward from the back of the buttock should touch the back of the hock, cannon, and fetlock. Viewed from behind the line should bisect the gaskin, hock, cannon, fetlock, pastern, and foot.

Pasterns should be medium in length, sloped at approximately 45 degrees, and flexible but strong. Hoofs should have the same angle as pasterns, and be deep and wide at the heels, moderate in size, dense of horn, and free of rings. White hoofs are softer (wear faster) than others. Slope of shoulders and pasterns and expansion of heels account for shock absorption when the horse is in motion.

Bone should be adequate in size, show definition of joints, and should appear flat viewed from the side, compared to a front view.

Bone spavins, bogs, thoroughpins, and weakness are common to sickle hocks. Jarring from short, straight pasterns and shoulders predisposes to side bones, stiffness, bogs, and lameness (see Unsoundness and Blemishes of Horses: Feet and Legs). Pigeon toes tend to wing, whereas splayed feet tend to swing inward in motion.

Effect of quality on wearability

A horse of quality has more attractiveness, therefore more buyer appeal.

Effect of head and neck on flexibility

Effect of disposition on usefulness

Watch the ears and eyes of the horse for nervousness and resistance. Have the owner handle its feet. Ride the horse (if it is trained) to see if it is dependable and adequate for your purposes. Take it on a trial basis if possible. Green colts will usually be unsatisfactory for beginners.

Courage or "heart" is necessary for horses used for racing and sporting events. Intelligence or ability to learn is an asset in any horse. These can be identified in horses trained or in training and may be predicted in part by pedigree or family relationships.

A horse with the conformation and disposition described is physically able to be an effective performer. To do so, it needs to be fed appropriately and kept healthy.

The phrase, general appearance, refers to and includes the horse's balance and symmetry of body parts, carriage of head and ears, and style. Each owner hopes these traits add up favorably. While appearance is mostly aesthetic, it is probably the largest single contributing factor to the value of the horse and to the pleasure of being a horse owner.

Figure 1 shows the parts of the horse and the nomenclature used in referring to them. Familiarity with these terms will aid the reader's understanding.

Figure 1. Parts of the horse.

Conformation, the form or structure, has a bearing on how well the horse functions or performs and this affects value and use. Figures 2, 3, and 4 tell more than a thousand words could about desirable and undesirable traits. While figure 2 illustrates desired traits, irrespective of the breed, it does not mean it is a true representative of ail breeds. As an American Saddle Horse, figure 2 is quite representative; as a Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred, it's quite lacking. The latter two breeds call for more muscling, especially in the forearm, gaskin, and through the stifle region. Actually muscling, especially through the rear quarters, is important in all breeds. Muscling in this area is what gives horses their power. Viewed from behind, all horses should have as much width (muscle) through the center and lower part of the quarter as on top.

Figure 2. Desired horse traits.

Figure 3 shows a horse with many faults. This type too often is difficult to keep in good condition and certainly lacks eye appeal.

Figure 3. A horse with many faults.

Figure 4 shows a horse that is extremely coarse about the head and neck. The steep shoulders and pasterns make for a hard ride and a tendency toward unsoundness.

Figure 4. Tendency toward unsoundness

To properly appraise or judge horses they should be viewed from at least three positions, front, side, and rear. Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 show what to expect and what to look for when viewing horses from these positions. Emphasis is placed on the set of feet and legs. It's essential to be able to recognize when a horse has a fault in the way he sets on his legs as this definitely determines how he will move. A crooked legged horse can't move true. Regardless of a horse's excellent head, neck, shoulder, top, and general balance and conformation, if he is crooked on his legs, he is not a top horse.

Also give close scrutiny, at the time you are viewing the legs, to unsoundness. Observe the pasterns, cannon bones, knees, and especially the hocks for any swelling or protuberance that is out of the ordinary.

The following conformation features affect action and gaits and may be predisposing to certain unsoundnesses:

• A long forearm contributes to a long stride.

• Sloping shoulders and pasterns are associated with a springy stride.

• If a horse stands straight, he is likely to move straight and true. If the legs are set properly, he is better able to move with collected action. (See figure 5.)

• A calf-kneed (back at the knees) posture is associated with hard concussion or a pounding gait; and it is predisposing to bone chips.

• Low rounding withers are associated with a defective gait called forging. A horse with low withers commonly hangs in the bridle, moves with head low, and handles the front feet awkwardly.

• A pigeon-toed horse will paddle or wing out. Conversely, a splayfooted (heels in, toes out) horse will wing in and the striding leg may actually strike the supporting leg. In addition, hooves wear unevenly. (See figure 5.)

• Short, steep ankles and pasterns result in a stilted stride, hard concussion, and a tendency to cocked ankles and unsoundness.

• Front legs out at the corner or too wide in front are a structural defect associated with a rolling motion when the horse moves.

• A short, thick, bulky neck too often goes with a straight shoulder and reduces neck suppleness and mobility and the rider's ease of control of the horse.

• A short straight shoulder and forearm, accompanied by steep pasterns, results in a short stride and a tendency toward sidebones.

• Buck-knees and long toes cause stumbling.

• Nervous and continuous movement of the ears may mean impaired vision; protruding or bulging eyes, called pop eyes, usually indicate nearsightedness.

• Sickle hocks detract from the horse's appearance, affect action, and often are associated with a steep croup and curbiness. Conversely, hocks that are too straight indicate crampiness and greater likelihood for the horse to go out at the stifle joint.

Figure 5.   How a horse stands is indicative of how he will move. The normal stance, with width between the legs in proportion to the width of the chest and feet placed straight, results in the legs and feet moving in a straight line. A base wide horse, particularly if he also toes out, moves his feet and legs in or wings in with each stride. If the condition is severe he is most apt to strike one leg with the other resulting in injury and even unsoundness. Base narrow, with toes pointing in, results in a horse that paddles. It's unsightly, results in excessive hoof wear on the outside quarters and results in excessive strain on the knee, fetlocks and tendons.

Figure 6.   Normal Angled Hoof; Acute Angled Hoof; Upright Hoof "Stumpy"

Figure 7.   Front View of Fore Limbs. A perpendicular line drawn downward from the point of shoulder should fall upon the center of the knee, cannon, pastern, and foot: 1, represents the correct information 2-7, represent common defects; 2, slightly bow-legged; 3, close at knees, toes out; 4, toes in; 5, knock-kneed; 6, base narrow; 7, base wide.

Figure 8.   Side View of Fore Limbs. A perpendicular line drawn downward from the center of the elbow point should fall upon the center of the knee and pastern, and back of the foot. A perpendicular line downward from the middle of the arm should fall upon the center of the foot: 8, represents the right conformation; 9, leg too far forward; 10, knee spring; 11, calf kneed; 12, foot and leg placed too far back.

Figure 9.   Side View of Hind Limbs. A perpendicular line, drawn downward from the hip point should fall upon the center of the foot and divide the gaskin in the middle; and a perpendicular line drawn from the point of the buttock should just touch the upper rear point of the hock and fall barely behind the rear line of the cannon and fetlock. Correct position of the leg line of the cannon and fetlock. Correct position of the leg from this view is most important in a horse: 13, represents the correct conformation; 14, leg too far forward and hock crooked, 15 entire leg too far under and weak below hock; 16, entire leg placed too far back.

Figure 10.   Rear View of Hind Limbs. A perpendicular line drawn downward from the point of the buttocks should fall in line with the center of the hock, cannon, pastern, and foot: 17, represents the correct conformation; 18, bow-legged; 19, base narrow; 20, base wide; 21, cow-hocked and toes out—very serious fault.

A gait may be defined as a way of going. It is characterized by distinctive features, regularly executed. Action, however, refers to flexion of the knees and hocks, the height the horse lifts his feet from the ground, the speed or rate of movement, and length of stride.

A horse's stride has the following components:

Length:

distance from point of breaking over to the point of contact with the ground.

Directness or trueness:

the line in which the foot is carried forward during the stride. A horse that paddles would not be carrying his feet straight forward during the stride. (See figure 5.)

Rapidity or promptness.

Power:

the pulling force exerted.

Height:

indicated by the radius of the arc created from the point of the foot's take off to the point of the foot's contact again with the ground.

Spring:

the manner in which weight settles back on the supporting leg at the completion of the stride.

Regularity:

the rhythmic precision of each stride.

Balance:

the ability of a horse to coordinate action and go collectedly and in form.

The gaits may be described briefly as follows:

Walk:

slow, flatfooted four-beat gait that should be executed true and with snappy action. The walk should be "ground covering," with a long stride.

Trot:

two-beat gait with the diagonal fore and hindleg action together. The road horse trot is a fast-stepping trot—characterized by length and rapidity and executed with extreme degree of extension or length of stride. Heavy harness trot and hackney trot are high stepping with a high and springy stride, very collected and executed with each step showing extreme flexion and precision.

Pace:

two-beat, lateral gait with fore and hind-leg on the same side moving together. There is a minimum of concussion and more or less a side or rolling motion with little knee fold. It requires a smooth, hard footing and a minimum of draft. Trotting downhill will cause some trotters to pace; pacing uphill will cause some pacers to trot. The pace is a speed gait.

Amble:

a lateral gait distinguished from the pace by being slower and more broken in cadence. It is not a show gait.

Slow gait:

or stepping pace (a show gait) is a lateral, four-beat gait done under restraint in showy, animated fashion with front foot on the right followed by hind foot on the right. In the stepping pace, which is also a slow four-beat gait, the break in rhythm is between the lateral fore and rear foot.

Rack:

a fast, flashy four-beat lateral gait. It is sometimes called a single foot and is characterized by quite a display of knee action and speed. It's hard on the horse, easy on the rider.

Gallop:

a fast, four-beat gait. One hind foot makes the first beat, followed by the other hind foot. A diagonal forefoot is the third beat and the remaining forefoot is the fourth beat. It's the gait of a race horse.

Canter:

three-beat gait done under restraint. The sequence of the hoof beat is, for example, right rear followed by the left rear and right front hoof hitting the ground simultaneously. The third beat is the left front hoof hitting the ground. When cantering, the horse carries more weight on the haunches, or rear quarter. The forehand is lightened, the chin is set, and the gait is executed in a slow, animated, collective, rhythmic way in which the lead changes on command. If moving to the left, the horse should lead with his left leg and vice versa. If a horse is cantering to the right and leading with a left front, the horse is guilty of a cross-legged canter.

Running walk:

a slow, single-foot or four-beat lateral gait with a break in the impact or rhythm occurring between the lateral fore and hindfeet. There is considerable over-reaching with the hind legs.

Forging:

striking the end of the branches or the undersurface of the shoe of the forefoot with the toe of the hindfoot (diagonal foot in pacers, lateral foot in trotters).

Interfering:

striking the supporting leg, usually at the fetlock, with the foot of the striding leg. Interference commonly occurs between the supporting front leg and a striding front leg or between a supporting hindleg and a striding hindleg.

Brushing:

slight interference.

Striking:

severe interference resulting in an open wound.

Paddling:

an outward deviation in the direction of the stride of the foreleg, the result of a narrow or pigeon-toed standing position. (See figure 5.)

Winging:

exaggerated paddling, very noticeable in high stepping horses.

Winding:

twisting the front leg around in front of the supporting leg as each stride is taken; sometimes called threading, plaiting, or rope-walking.

Scalping:

hitting the hind foot above or at the line of the hair (coronet) against the toe of a breaking over (beginning the next stride) forefoot.

Speedy-cutting:

occurs when a trotter or pacer traveling at speed hits the hindleg above the scalping mark and against the shoe of a breaking over forefoot. In trotters, legs on the same side are involved. In pacers, diagonal legs are involved.

Cross-firing:

essentially the same as forging in a pacer in which the inside of the near fore and hindleg (or the reverse) strike in the air as the stride of the hindleg is about completed and the stride of the foreleg is just beginning.

Pointing:

a stride with extension more pronounced than flexion. A horse guilty of a pointed stride breaks or folds his knees very slightly and is low-gaited in front. Thoroughbreds at the trot are pointy-gaited. The term pointing is also used to indicate the standing position pose a horse frequently takes when afflicted with navicular bone disease or injury to the foot or leg: he stands on three legs and points with the fourth.

Dwelling:

a perceptible pause in the flight of the foot as though the stride had been completed before the foot strikes the ground. It may occur either front or rear and is particularly common in heavy harness horses, heavy show ponies, and some saddlers.

Trappy:

a quick; high, but comparatively short stride.

Pounding:

a heavy contact with the ground, usually accompanying a high, laboring stride.

Rolling:

excessive lateral shoulder motion in wide-fronted horses.