Horse Evaluation Criteria

Question 1

How to evaluate balance?

Answer 1

Divide horse into 3rds

Look at the 3 sections

Question 2

Neck length

Answer 2

As long as or slightly longer than the other thirds of the body

Question 3

Head length

Answer 3

Approximately the same length as the neck or slightly shorter

Question 4

Ideal slope of the shoulder

Answer 4

45-50 degrees

Question 5

Conformation of the head

Answer 5

Look for a well defined jaw

and a large eye on a wide flat forehead

Question 6

Calf-kneed

Answer 6

back at the knees (hyper extended backwards)

Question 7

Buck kneed

Answer 7

Over at the knees

Question 8

Splay - footed

Answer 8

When a horse toes out and wings when it travels

Question 9

Pigeon - toed

Answer 9

When a horse toes in and will paddle out when traveling

Question 10

Bench kneed

Answer 10

Cannon bone is off-centered to the outside

Question 11

What degree should the pastern be at?

Answer 11

45-50 degrees

Question 12

Coon - footed

Answer 12

Undesirable slope to pastern

Question 13

Ideal hind legs (from side)

Answer 13

(with imaginary line from butt to ground) Line touches hocks, run parallel to the cannon bone and be slightly behind the heel

Question 14

Sickle-hocked

Answer 14

Too much angle to hocks

Question 15

Post-legged

Answer 15

Horse that is straight in the hock

Question 16

Cow - hocked

Answer 16

Hocks are bowed in and cannon bones are not parallel

Question 17

Bow - legged

Answer 17

Hocks point out

Question 18

Pig - eyed

Answer 18

Smaller eye socket positioned more on the side of the horses head

• poor disposition
• sullen and difficult to train