A well-conformed horse is often a more durable horse.Conformation is the way the horse is put together. Similar to dog breeds, different horse breeds have different conformation standards. Unlike with dogs, however, conformation is more than just aesthetics. With thousands of pounds of pressure placed on a horse's joints, soft tissue, and bone with each stride at the gallop, good general conformation is important in warding off lameness. This isn't to say that a horse with superior conformation will never go lame- there are numerous other factors that cause lameness. But poor conformation can affect weight distribution, leading to early or accelerated lameness, especially in racehorses.
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How to Evaluate ConformationStart by checking out this handy guide from the folks at the University of Georgia's Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences to get acquainted with the basics.
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What I Look ForThere are certain points of conformation that seem to be more relevant than others when evaluating racehorses. In particular, I care about: 1) short, wide cannon bones; 2) long forearms; 3) a muscular hind end; 4) medium pasterns that aren't too upright or slopey; and finally, 5) good general balance. Of course, I do try and consider everything, so where relevant, I will mention other aspects of a given horse's conformation that impact my opinions.
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