Ansc 440:  Horse Management


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Lecture 9:  Athletic Conformation
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Description:  Conformation is the physical appearance of an animal due to the arrangement of muscles, bone and other body tissue.  Good conformation leads to horses which are more athletic.  The "balance" of body parts in the horse the most critical characteristic of equine selection.  The top and bottom line of the neck, the slope of the shoulder, the balance of the topline, size and level of the hindquarters, and the proportion of muscle all contribute to the overall athletic ability of the horse.


Lecture Outline:

I.  Conformation Definition

II.  Athletic Conformation
	A.  Neck
	B.  Balance
	C.  Shoulder
	D.  Topline
	E.  Hindquarters
	F.  Muscle (proportional)


Objectives:
1.  Define conformation and explain why it is important in the horse.
2.  What is the ideal top line to bottom line neck ratio?  Explain why that ratio is important for athletic ability.
3.  What is the most critical factor in relation to the balance of a horse?
4.  Explain why a long, sloping shoulder is more desirable than a steeper shoulder.
5.  Which should be higher in a properly balanced horse, the withers or the croup?  Explain why it is beneficial.
6.  Describe the movement of a horse with a flatter (level) croup and one with a steeper croup.


Lecture 9:  Athletic Conformation
HIH 220:  Equine Conformation Part I:  Form To Function

I.  Conformation Definition

	A.  Physical appearance of an animal due to the arrangement of muscles, bone, and other 			body tissue
	B.  "Good" conformation is the overall blending of body parts = more athletic
	C.  Each breed = "ideal" horse


II.  Athletic Conformation

	A.  Neck
		1.  horses use neck as a "balance arm"
		2.  top-line:  distance from poll to withers
		3.  bottom-line:  distance from throat latch to neck-shoulder junction at chest
			a.  ratio of 2:1 (top:bottom)
			b.  determining factor in ratio:  slop of horses shoulder
			c.  as shoulder becomes more sloping = top line becomes longer in 						relation to bottom line
	B.  Balance
		1.  single most important characteristic in equine selection
		2.  forms basics for:
			a.  movement
			b. length of stride
			c.  ultimately performance
		3.  most critical to balance is slope of shoulder
			slope changes:
				a.  ratio of top to bottom line of neck
				b.  ratio of back to length of underline
	C.  Shoulder
		1.  ideal slop ~45 to 50 degree angle
		2.  in general, angle of pastern will correspond to angle of shoulder
			a.  too much slop to pasterns = extreme = fetlocks hit ground
			b.  too steep/short pasterns = > concussion = navicular disease
		3.  slop of shoulder influences length of stride
			a.  steeper shoulder = shorter stride
			b.  steeper shouldered horses = rough-riding
			c.  contrast:  long sloping shoulder = better able to dispense damaging 					effects of concussion = contributes to:
					-ease and freedom of movement and style of action


	D.  Topline
		1.  Includes:
			a.  withers
			b.  back
			c.  loin (coupling)
			d.  croup
		2.  properly balanced horses = higher in withers than in croup
			-hindquarters are positioned more under body = enhances athletic ability
		3.  should have short strong backs relative to long underline
			-length of back is directly related to length of slope of shoulder as well as 					top to bottom line neck ratio
		4.  need short muscular loins (area between last rib and croup) = carry power 				from hindlegs forward
		5.  loin should be long and gentle sloping
			a.  adds to length of stride
			b.  in general, "stock breeds" (QH) are more sloping in their croup than 					"pleasure breeds" (Arabians, Morgans)
	E.  Hindquarters
		1.  regardless of breed, hindquarters should appear square
			-extent to upper corners filled in depend on breed
		2.  level of croup
			a.  flatter (level) croup:  more vertical hind leg action
			b.  steeper croup = greater horizontal action, moving w/legs more 						collected under body
	F.  Muscle (proportional)
		1.  Balanced athlete = muscled uniformly throughout
			a.  heavily muscled = > circumference of forearm, gaskin, rear quarters = 					relative degree of muscularity at other parts
			b.  many breed differences
				QH = bulge, ripple, > definition
				Arabian = will not have as much quantity
		2.  Long, clean and well-defined