eqs 370 equine evaluation and selection lecture 2

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 1/49

Head and Neck

Conformation

Lesson 2

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 2/49

Objectives Define and describe the ³conformational

ideal´ head and neck

Define and describe head and neck

conformational faults

Define proportions of the head and neck

and describe how they relate to overallfunction

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 3/49

Head Attracts the eye

Viewed first by buyers

 Affects use of that horse

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 4/49

Head Purpose: Balance by acting like a

pendulum

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 5/49

³Ideal´ Head Head size compliments neck

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 6/49

Head²´Ideal´ Ears Ears are usually proportional to the head

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 7/49

Head²´Ideal´ Balance Distance between the horse¶s eyes is ~ ½

the distance of a line from poll to midpoint

of the nostril

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 8/49

Head²´Ideal´ Nostrils Enables the horse to breathe

Nostril openings -- wide

Nostrils -- thin and elastic

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 9/49

Head²´Ideal´ muzzle Teeth -- aligned (upper and lower)

Lips ± full and cover the teeth

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 10/49

Head Size²Faults A big head =

 A small head =

Small heads on foals/weanlings

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 11/49

Head Nostrils²Fault Too small ±

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 12/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 13/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 14/49

Head Muzzle²Fault

Parrot mouthed (hereditary!)

Monkey mouthed

NOTE: in AQHA  judging mouths do not have an

effect on placing!

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 15/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 16/49

Head Faults

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 17/49

Head²Dished A concave face or bridge of nose

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 18/49

Narrow  jaw/throatlatch²Fault Narrow if the measurement is less than

7.2 cm

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 19/49

Wide  jaw/throatlatch

Between  jawbones = greater than 7.2 cm

(generally your fist)

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 20/49

Examples:

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 21/49

Examples

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 22/49

Neck Conformation

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 23/49

Neck Purpose

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 24/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 25/49

Neck²´Ideal´ ~ 1/3 of the horse¶s overall length or 

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 26/49

Neck²´Ideal´ Top line (withers to poll)

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 27/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 28/49

Neck Terminology Well-muscled

Slightly arched

Clean throatlatch

Neck ties in cleanly with the withers and

top line

Neck ties in cleanly with the shoulder 

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 29/49

Neck Terminology High-set

Neck angles up from the shoulder (breed

specific)

Low-set

Neck ties in low to the shoulder (usually not

desirable)

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 30/49

Neck Notes:

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 31/49

 Arched or Turned-over neck

Crest is convex or arched

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 32/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 33/49

Short Neck

Common fault

Often associated with thickness

Still flexible, agile and moveable

For performance:

Better suited for quick turns

BUT is still functional (if it is the only fault!)

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 34/49

Long Neck

Long = exceeds the proportional length of 

the horse¶s body

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 35/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 36/49

Large crest/Fallen crest

³Tro jan horse´ appearance

In extreme cases the crest ³falls´ to one

side

Most common in stallions, ponies, draft

horses, and the Morgan breed

Result of excessive fat above nuchal

ligament

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 37/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 38/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 39/49

Ewe Neck (Upside-down)

Named for the shape of sheep¶s neck

Unevenly muscled in neck/thin neck

Noticeable dip in front of the withers

Bulging muscles on the underside of the

neck

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 40/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 41/49

Swan Neck

Slender and long neck

Upper curved/arched (correctly)

Dip remains in front of withers

Underside muscles bulge

Common fault

Often caused by poor riding

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 42/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 43/49

Knife-necked

Long, skinny neck

Poor development of muscles

Both top line and bottom line of neck

Straight crest, no substance on bottom

Often rider-induced

Not common fault

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 44/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 45/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 46/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 47/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 48/49

8/8/2019 EQS 370 Equine Evaluation and Selection Lecture 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eqs-370-equine-evaluation-and-selection-lecture-2 49/49