Conformation

Common Terminology

Barrel

The horse’s body from behind the shoulder to the loins.

Bone

A horse’s bone is measured just below the knee or hock - the larger the circumference, the greater the weight-carrying ability.

Bow Hocks

Fault - opposite of cow hocks - the hocks appear to bow out from each other when viewed from behind.

Conformation

The way a horse is constructed with particular emphasis on the proportion of the body parts.

Cow-hocked

Fault - the hocks turn inward toward each other when viewed from behind.

Deep through the Girth / Depth of Girth

The measurement taken form the withers to the elbow - a desirable conformation feature - indicates plenty of room for expansion of the lungs.

Ewe-necked

Fault - overdeveloped muscle on the underside and dipped outline on the topside.

Forearm

The top part of the horse’s front leg - above the knee.

Forehand

The horse’s body from the withers forward - forelegs, shoulders, neck and head.

Tail Set

High - starting high on the quarters and carried high.
Low - low on the quarters - can be indicative of weak and sloping quarters.

Hindquarters / Quarters

Horse’s body from the flank backward to the start of the tail.

Knock-kneed

Fault - where the knees appear to bow in toward each other.

Leg at Each Corner

A horse that has a good deep chest, and ample room between the legs.

Light-boned

Fault - when the measurement below the knee is considered too small for the size of the horse.

Loaded Shoulder

Fault - excessive muscular development over the shoulder which can restrict movement.

Loins

The lower part of the back - behind the saddle and in front of the quarters.

Near-side

The left-hand side of the horse. The near fore is the front left leg.

Off-side

The right hand side of the horse. The off fore is the front right leg.

Pigeon-toed

Fault - hooves turning inwards.

Plenty of Bone

Circumference below the knee measure 8” or more.

Poll

The area at the top of the head which lies between the ears.

Roman Nose

A convex profile to the head.

Sickle-hocked

Fault - weak hocks with the cannon bone angled too steeply forward.

Slab-sided

Fault - flat ribcage.

Sway-backed or Dipped Back

Fault - the back dips excessively in the middle - usually older horses and ponies.

Tied-in Below the Knee

Fault - a smaller measurement below the knee than above the fetlock.

Top-line of the Neck

The upper most par from the withers to the poll - a gentle upward curve indicates that the horse works well in a natural outline.

Well Let-down

Hocks are close to the ground with well muscled thighs.

Well-set

Junction is good between the neck and the head.

Well-sprung Ribs

Nicely rounded ribcage - plenty of room for heart and lungs.

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