CONFIRMATION EVALUATION

This part of the examination is to show up the faults in a horse's build that can be the cause of, or can contribute to a specific lameness.

For many not blessed, or experienced, with an eye for how an equine should be put together, conformation is easily disregarded as being too difficult to understand. For others, equally mystified, the term conformation has become a catchall way to describe what they consider a point of beauty. Then, there are those that raise or judge a recognized breed that will deliberately bend or try to change a rule of nature to fit what is currently popular in the show ring.

Many horse owner's textbooks either present one picture of, "This is ideal conformation") or print a series of drawings showing Calf Knees, Sickle Hocks, or whatever. As a horseshoer I have yet to come across the 100% ideal conformation when all views are taken into consideration. On the other hand, rarely have I seen a defect as exaggerated as it is necessary to do so in a sketch to get the point across. No wonder conformation is so confusing.

To avoid constantly referring back to a two dimensional photograph, matching each to a number of synonymous, vague, terms, I have modified a method used by veterinarians and farriers that looks for deviations from the desirable, rather than an individual fault. At first this system might seem too technical, but once a few basic relationships are understood it is possible to quickly judge a horse's conformation with the confidence that nothing will be forgotten or overlooked.

The first few times through this method requires a piece of chalk, charcoal, washable paint, or tape, to mark reference points on the horse's body and hoofs. The first step is to draw a line along the length of the shoulder blade from the highest spot where the blade protrudes, to the lowest spot where it points above the chest. This may take some probing with the finger, and a referral to the illustration that follows, as this is the most important and difficult determination of the whole procedure. Second step, mark the rearmost points of the buttocks. The third, is to run a line down the center of each hoof.

For examination, make the horse stand squarely on all four feet, legs parallel. From each of the reference points on the body, draw an imaginary perpendicular line down to reach the ground.

The view from the front is considered ideal when the line falls straight from the low point of the shoulder, and bi-sects the leg from the knee down through the hoof. Deviations noted are: