Conformation of the horse (2024)

A wide chest (from the front) allows for good stamina, endurance and lung capacity.

Good chest and rib form leads to strong leg, shoulder and neck attachment, which creates a powerful athletic performer.

Horses can have 17 to 19 pairs of ribs except Thoroughbreds and Arabians. Most horses have 18 pairs. Extra ribs allow for a shorter back, which results in stronger “coupling” of the loin area.

The underline of the horse should gradually rise to the hindquarters. Horses that have “spring of rib”:

• Have ribs that project outward.

• Have large spaces between the ribs.

• Are shorter backed.

• Have a strong loin.

The back transfers the force and driving power from the hind legs.

• A horse should have well-formed withers where the shoulder can attach to the rest of the body.

• The back should be one-third of the horse’s length.

  • Measure back length from the middle of the withers to the point of hip.

• A horse's back should be shorter than their underline.

A horse can best move if it has a long neck and short back. A short back also provides more strength for carrying a rider.

A long hindquarter allows for increased range of extension and flexion. A shorter hindquarter supports power and strength. You can think of this by comparing a Warmblood to a Quarter Horse.

Croup

The croup helps transfer energy for thrust and power from the hindquarters.

The croup should be the same height as the withers to maintain balance in the horse’s body. It should be round with muscle to provide a smooth contoured shape.

Quarters

The quarters shouldn’t be too sloped or flat.

You can measure the quarter length from the point of the horse’s hip to the point of buttock. This length should be about 1/3 of the body length.

Correct front legs will move in a straight line and promote the following.

• Good athletic ability

• Soundness

• Good stride

• Speed

• Agility

Abnormal or crooked front legs can lead to lameness by putting stress on the following.

• Bones

• Tendons

• Ligaments

• Muscle mass

From the front of the horse, you should be able to draw a straight line from the point of the shoulder down the center of the leg. This line should evenly split the forearm, knee, cannon, fetlock, pastern and hoof.

From the side of the front leg, a straight line should be formed in front of the withers down the center of the front leg and touch at the heel.

The cannon bone in the foreleg should be shorter than that of the rear leg.

The hind legs have fewer lameness issues than the front legs because they only carry 40 percent of the horse’s weight. But the front versus rear leg lameness tends to relate to overall horse use.

From the rear view, you should be able to draw straight lines down the rear legs. This line should run from the point of the buttock to slightly inside the hock, to the middle of the hoof.

Muscling

Muscle in the hindquarters must be symmetrical and balanced with the rest of the body. The hindquarters influence the horse’s capacity for:

• Speed

• Propelling power

• Strength for collecting

The gaskin and thigh muscles power running, jumping and other forward movements.

Hock

The connection from the hindquarter to the gaskin thru to the hock is key to hind leg structure. A strong, well-placed hock makes a stronger, more efficient leg. Large formed hocks are better at absorbing concussion and generally make for a sounder joint. The hock should be:

• Level with the top of the chestnut on the front leg: the chestnut resides a few inches above the knee

• Directly under the point of the buttocks, but slightly pointed inward when viewed from behind

• Wide from front to back and set on top of a sturdy cannon bone when viewed from the side

Cannon bone

The hind cannon bone is usually longer and wider than the front cannon bone. From the side, you should be able to draw a line from the point of the buttock, down the back of the cannon to behind the heel.

The pastern angle to the toe should be 40 to 55 degrees. A nicely sloped hoof will transfer weight from the tendons to the upper leg. This decreases pressure on the tendons and maintains soundness.