Conformation
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Conformation is the physical appearance of an animal due to the
arrangement of muscle, bone and other body tissue. It is the sum of
these body parts and how they blend together which determines the
acceptability or unacceptability of the horse's conformation. Good
conformation is the overall blending of body parts to form a
beautiful athlete
No horse is conformed perfectly. Remember that in examining horses
the purpose is to exclude those with physical faults your team
considers unacceptable.
Overall, when examining a horse you should consider balance, bone,
intelligence and athleticism.
Balance
- Is the horse well-proportioned? Does the frame suit its muscle?
Bone
- Does it appear to be substantial - not too light?
Intelligence
- Does the horse seem in control, aware of its surroundings, alert?
Athleticism
- Does the horse look physically fit and capable?
Remember, every horse has some physical fault with regard to
pedigree and conformation. The art or science of evaluating a horse
is deciding which of those faults are less likely to adversely
impact the intended use of the animal. It is helpful to know
something about the pedigree of the horse as it may relate to a
particular horse's conformation. Some sires pass similar
conformational faults to offspring, with some of the faults having
little or no consequence with respect to their racing success.
Everyone has different thresholds with regard to what constitutes
acceptable faults. Establish your own thresholds, but be realistic
considering your budget.
