Basically, this evaluation is a negative system, subtracting points from what is considered a perfect horse.

Each entry - 77 - has a value - ( 7 )

1) Each entry has a number beside it in parentheses that is a guide to the severity of the problem. On the scale a "1" is considered extremely minor a "10" an unsoundness, do not buy. I have been very conservative. I would much rather you spent a bit more time looking for another horse, than to take a chance on something a seller scoffs at as unimportant .

2) Some listings are variable. Here the determination must be made by weighing the severity of the problem against the possible end result of the condition. Beware of favoring the mount that is otherwise perfect in your eyes.

3) Other entries are repetitious. With one-hundred observations to make, the temptation is to skip the obvious. Do not: there is safety in numbers.

4) Complete the exam by filling in an "0" for every entry that passes, and the appropriate determination of an entry that fails.

5) The general condition of the horse is measured by adding all the demerits. If the answer comes out higher than "50", or any category has more than two listings of "5" and up, then I would have serious doubts about buying.

6) When it comes to negotiating price, change the answer into percentage, and subtract that from the average high price being asked locally for the type, sex, age, grade, etc., mount you are evaluating. (See Page 48)

Using this form , mark each entry in turn.
Additional evaluation forms can be printed out for your use.

TRAINING
Ground Handling
cc	1- Hard to catch ( 5-10 )
cc	2 Hard to halter/bridle ( 1-5 )
cc	3- Fights the lead rope ( 5-10 )
cc	4- Head bobs when walking ( 10 )
cc	5- Hip drops when trotting ( 10 )
cc	6- Hind leg kicks towards belly ( 10 )
cc	7- Shivering ( 10 )
cc	8- Stiff, jerky movement overall ( 10 )
cc	9- Shifts weight in fore when standing ( 10 )
cc	10- Hard to saddle ( 1-3 )
cc	11- Owner uses severe bit ( 5-10 )
cc	12- Kicks ( 5-10 )
cc	13- Bites (5-10 )
cc	14- Nervous ( 5-10 )
Rider up
cc	15- Hard to mount ( 1-5 )
cc	16- Hard to motivate ( 1-3 )
cc	17- Hard to rein ( 3-7 )
cc	18- Shys ( 3-7 )
cc	19- Stumbles ( 5-10 )
cc	20- Unstable ride ( 5-10 )
cc	21- Stiff Ride ( 5-10 )
cc	22- Stops on front legs ( 3-7 )
cc	23- Bucks ( 5-10 )
cc	24- Runs away ( 5-10 )
cc	25- Rears ( 5-10 )
cc	26- Broken wind ( 10 )
cc	27- Navicular disease ( 10 )
CONFORMATION
Stance view of forelimbs from front:
cc	28- Legs set outside/inside/vertical lines ( 5 )
cc	29- Knees set outside/inside/vertical lines ( 5-10 )
cc	30- Offset knee ( 10 )
cc	31- Toes pointing out, base narrow ( 8-10 )
cc	32- Toes pointing out, base wide ( 5-8 )
cc	33- Toes pointing in, either base ( 3-5 )
cc	34- Crooked hooves ( 5-10 )
view of forelimbs from side:
cc	35- Entire leg stands too far back ( 5-10 )
cc	36- Entire leg stands too far forward ( 10 )
cc	37- Leg stands forward from knee down ( 10 )
cc	38- Knees only forward ( 10 )
cc	39- Offset knee ( 10 )
cc	40- Upright pasterns, steep shoulder ( 5-10 )
cc	41- Broken hoof and pastern axis ( 5-10 )
view of hindlimbs from side:
cc	42- Leg stands too far forward/back ( 5-10 )
cc	43- Leg stands too straight ( 5-10 )
cc	44- Cocked ankle ( 10 )
view of hindlimbs from rear:
cc	45- Front and rear bases do not match ( 5-10 )
cc	46- Hocks set outside/inside/vertical lines ( 5-10 )
WAY OF GOING view towards/away/while walking, trotting:
cc	47- Hoof travels inward arc, lands front of
cc	48- Hoof completes inward arc ( 5-10 )
cc	49- Hoof carried through outside arc ( 3-5 )
cc	50- Flight patterns do not match ( 10 )
cc	51- Grounding wear doesn't nt base or
view across line of vision:
cc	52- Peak of arc occurs too soon ( 5 )
cc	53- Over-reaches ( 8-10 )
cc	54- Short steps ( 5-10 )
cc	55- No arc at all ( 10 )
cc	56- Pounds the ground ( 10 )
cc	57- Lands on toes ( 10 )
PHYSICAL FEATURES
cc	58- Coarse looking head ( 1-5 )
cc	59- Thick Neck ( 1-5 )
cc	60- Thin/Ewe-neck ( 3-7 )
cc	61- No withers ( 1-3 )
cc	62- Heave line ( 10 )
cc	63- Rafter hips ( 5-10 )
cc	64- Lack of proportion ( 3-7 ) opposite foot ( 8-10 ) flight pattern ( 10 )
SOUNDNESS of the forequarters:
cc	65- Feet hard to handle ( 1-5 )
cc	66- General condition of hoof ( 5-10 )
cc	67- Shape of hoof irregular ( 5-10 )
cc	68- Navicular Dlsease ( 10 )
cc	69- Laminitas ( 10 )
cc	70- Quittor ( 10 )
cc	71- Sidebones ( 10 )
cc	72- Ringbone ( 10 )
cc	73- Oaselet ( 10 )
cc	74- Grease, Cracked heels ( 5 )
cc	75- Bowed Tendons ( 10 )
cc	76- Windpuffs ( 8-10 )
cc	77- Spilnts ( 8-10 )
cc	78- Big knee ( 10 )
cc	79- Capped elbow ( 10 )
cc	80- Lameness of the shoulder ( 10 )
cc	81- Infestula of the withers ( 10 ) of the hindquarters:
cc	82- Feet hard to handle ( 10 )
cc	83- General condition of hooves ( 5-10 )
cc	84- Curbs ( 10 )
cc	85- Thoroughpins ( 10 )
cc	86- Spavins ( 10 )
cc	87- Capped hock ( 10 )
cc	88- Stifle ( 10 ) Stringhalt, & Shivering
cc	89- Lameness of the hip ( 10 ) other, from the rear forward:
cc	90- Colt not casterated/proud cut ( 5-10 )
cc	91- Patches of hair missing ( 5-10 )
cc	92- Poll evil ( 10 )
cc	93- Ears not active ( 8-10 )
cc	94- Dull, defective eyes ( 8-10 )
cc	95- Discharge of nose ( 8-10 )
cc	96- Coughs ( 8-10 )
cc	97- Lips do not meet ( 10 )
cc	98- Lacerated tongue ( 8-10 )
cc	99- Worn or broken teeth ( 8-10 )
cc	100- Age, add 5 points for every year different than advertised
cc	TOTA L

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Text and Photographs
© Barry Murray 1988-2007

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