Body Proportions

what are two outcomes of an imbalanced or disproportionate horse

• limited performance ability

• more prone to injury

What is the rules of 3rds

the horse should be divided into three approximately equal regions

What is the first third of the rule of 3rds

point of shoulder → junction where withers meet back

What is the second third or the rule of 3rds

withers → point of hip

what is the third third of the rule of thirds

point of hip → point of buttock

What is the “square” horse

a well balanced horse should appear square

what is ideal according to the “Square” Horse

• height of withers is equal to height of croup

• height of withers is equal to the distance from the point of shoulder to point of buttocks

What is the trapezoid theory

• the angles of the shoulder and the pelvis should both be around 45 degrees

• the back should be 1/3 of the horses total body length

How does age effect the height of the croup and withers

• during growth the croup may be taller or vise versa

• at maturity the withers should be the same height or slightly taller than the croup

• light breeds mature around 3-4 vs larger breeds that mature later

What is downhill conformation

the croup sits higher than the withers

what are some effects of downhill conformation

• weight shifts toward front end

• saddle can slide forward

• can cause more pressure on joints of the front limbs and shoulder

what is uphill conformation

the withers sit higher than the croup

what are the effects of an uphill conformation

• saddle movers towards rear

• can interfere with rider balance girth may interfere with expansion of rib cage and lungs

True or false: a horse can have level withers and croups and still be out of balance

true

what is the heart girth

the region on the horse from the withers to the ventral surface of the horse

what is the ideal girth conformation

• adequate depth

• well sprung ribs

• ribs should be rounded rather than flat

Why is girth good conformation important

it allows for appropriate lung expansion

what should leg length complement

body length

a short body and long legs can cause

overreaching

a long backed horse may have a

swing in its gait

how can the head be used as a point of reference

• the head is approximately similar in length of on point to another

• for example: ground to the hock and the hock to the stifle and stifle to the croup

during locomotion the head act:

• as a pendulum to counterbalance hindlimb action

• maintain balance

• adjust speed

• adjust direction

how should the head complement the neck

in size, weight, and length

a head that is too large may cause the horse to

• travel heavy in the front

• be difficult to college

• lean heavily on the bridle

a head that is too small my cause the horse to

• loose agility

• have less precise movement

• have bouncy movement

a coarse head

• suggest lack of refinement

• affects balence

• hinders athletic ability

what is a roman nose head profile

the nose of the horse is convex

what is a straight head profile

the nose is straight

what is a dished head profile

the nose is concave

which breed is known for their dished face and tapered muzzle

Arabians

what are important functional characteristics of the head

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