Selecting Your Horse

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.

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