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Welcome you to MHU’s

live web presentation

featuring Kathy Anderson!

Conformation and Selection of Horses

Kathy Anderson

University of Nebraska Extension Horse Specialist

Conformation and performance ability “Form to Function”

Conformation Evaluation

Balance Muscle Structure Quality and refinement Breed and sex characteristics Travel, way of going

Conformation Evaluation: Balance Horse is in proportion

Length of shoulder = length of back

= length of hip

Balance

Neck is equal to or longer than

Shoulder, back and hip

2 to 1 ratioTop of neck to

bottom

2

1

Conformation Evaluation: Balance

Head is equal to or shorter than Shoulder, back

and hip

Balance

Back is shorter than underline

Conformation Evaluation: Balance Heart girth is equal

to distance below belly to ground

Evaluation of Balance

Evaluation of Balance

Conformation Evaluation: Muscle Evaluate from side Evaluate from front

ForearmV in frontPectorals

Conformation Evaluation: Muscle Evaluate from rear

Wider through stifle than point of hip

Inner and outer gaskin

Muscling

Muscling: Moderate

Muscle : Light

How the horse is put togetherHeadThroat latchNeck

Conformation Evaluation: Structure

Structure: Head

Structure: Throatlatch, Neck, and Shoulder

Conformation Evaluation: Structure How the horse is

put togetherShoulderWithersBackHipLegs

Hoof Pastern Axis

Evaluation of Structure: Hip

Structure: Top line, Hip, and Hock

Strong top line Hip shape Hock placement

Conformation Evaluation: Structure

Structure

Structure

Conformation Evaluation:Quality and Refinement

Overall general appearance

Head and neck Quality of

bone/muscle

Conformation Evaluation: Breed and sex characteristics Female/Male Breed characteristics

Stock horseArabianMorgan

Conformation Evaluation: Way of going How travel

In front Straight, pick up feet Narrow/wide/average

From rear Straight, pick up feet Narrow/wide/average

From side Length of stride Tracking up with hind

legs

Quality

Personality/Trainability

Critical Easy to get along with “Likeable”

So you want to buy a horse?

Key’s to getting what you want!Who is it for?How experienced are they?What do they want to do?Where to keep it?What is the price range?Where will you find it?

Horse Buying

Green + Green = Black & Blue! Be honest with the

level of ability Young horse + Young

rider = trouble! Not all “older” horses

are “quiet” horses

Horse Buying

What do you want to do with the horse? Trail ride Show

Each horse has a purpose Be honest with what

the purpose is

Horse Shopping

Be patient Be honest

Thanks for your time!!

Thank you

for attending MHU’s Live Web Presentation.

For more information about our program, please visit:

www.MyHorseUniversity.com

Email: info@myhorseuniversity.com | Phone: 517-432-4540