Focus: Conformation

This post should help provide an insight into some very basic aspects of conformation - the lines aren't 100% accurate as I was drawing them on a phone screen! - I could go into far more for each photo and of course you would need to do a full 360 assessment and also see the horse in motion if you were doing a true conformation assessment for better judgement but hopefully these photos will give you an idea of what to pick out for if you've never known what to look out for before,

These are the first things I look for in a horses' conformation: - do they fit into a "square" (overall proportions) - shoulder angle (I've explained this on the first one of Nutmeg a bit more) - hind Limb angles (this is the powerhouse remember so needs to be powerful but also "springy")

Once you've got an eye for Conformation you start subconsciously assessing every horse you meet!!!

I've provided detailed explanations under the photos

1) Nutmeg

Nutmeg as a 3/4 year old - fitting into quite a nice square with good, equal overall proportions. Even at this young age and throughout her growth to maturity, she wasn't ever very "bum-high". Nicely sloping shoulder; not too upright (and upright shoulder will provide less shock absorption), not too sloping (weak as no availability for "spring"). Hind Limb angles are also good, near 90 degrees hip to hock. High set on neck resulting in naturally elevated head carriage (enabling good, upward, natural self carriage and engagement of the hind end when ridden now).

2) Franny

Franny also sitting in a pretty good square. She has a long back for comparatively short legs - but it's deceptive; her chest protrudes (she's 14.2hh and wears a 6ft rug, the same sized rugs as Maz and Nutmeg at the time!) but her forelegs are nicely under, supporting her shoulder. Shoulder is again a nice slope and the hindlimbs again have good angles. Low neck carriage.

"Native" types and cobs can have very low pasterns/dropped fetlocks which can "show off" a more "fancy" action whilst trotting (e.g. Welsh ponies) but this can put strain on the tendons of the lower limb due to the lack of "spring", they're almost over stretched conformationally before the horse is even in motion. Franny doesn't have this problem.

3) Maz

The main thing to note here with Maz is the camped under POSTURE meaning that her hind legs are "tucked under" her body. This is NOT Conformation, this is her stance. When the sacroiliac joint of the back and associated muscles are tense or compromised in some way, it is more comfortable for the horse to stand this way. She had a history of sacroiliac and hoof Conformation issues which resulted in a very weak back and hind end. For that reason, you can't really accurately judge the hind end angles at all from this photo. She has a Relatively upright shoulder. low head carriage. Slightly high withers typical of Thoroughbreds.

I should say here that when she was stronger and more balanced, her Conformation was a picture of beauty and was far improved from this snapshot. Many many times was her Conformation complimented by showing professionals. A clear example of why musculoskeletal strength is important when assessing Conformation and that overall appearance can be much improved with TLC and muscular strength. Having an eye for Conformation can help spotting a diamond in the rough.

Here's another photo where she is stood better for comparison

4) Chamie

Chamie showing the classic higher front end and very upright shoulders of the Spanish breeds. Bred to sit back on their hocks (she is from bull fighting lines) and lovely compact hind limbs. Chamie is extremely nimble and sure footed doing mainly dressage and hacking. Chamie has teeny tiny hooves which you can't see that well from this photo and very upright, contracted heels also common for the breed. I would say she has a comparatively large head and "chunky" muzzle for the rest of her rather petite body!

A great book to read if you're interested and want to know much more in-depth aspects of conformation is "A Photographic Guide to Conformation" by Robert Oliver, a well renowned showing producer whom I actually had the pleasure of meeting during a showing clinic in which he discussed conformation at the riding school in Nottingham where Franny was in 2011/12.