Conformation - what is the 'perfect' horse?

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Lucy_Ally

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Conformation critique is a popular topic in this forum and following on from Piaffe's post where a nice youngster was rather unfarily critiqued by someone on her yard, what does make the perfect horse? Now I know this will probably differ depending on the particular discipline the horse is intended for, but in general what is it that turns you on/off in the way a horse is put together? What are definite things to avoid or particular features you look for? Are faults that are purely cosmetic enough to put you off a horse? Or are movement/talent/attitude more important?

If you have examples of the perfect dressage horse/eventer/showjumper then please post pics so we can all see what we should be aspiring to!
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I like a good shoulder and reasonable length of rein. I tend to prefer short-coupled horses but don't like the back end to just disappear.

I would buy (and have done) a horse who wasn't conformationally perfect, provided the fault was not one likely to lead to soundness issues in the future, ie I don't like pigeon-toed feet, broken hoof-pastern axis etc.

There are some horses who for me just don't create a nice overall picture, but which others rave about, so maybe I am just odd
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I've often thought this and tried to find a diagram of the "ideal" angles, lengths and ratios. I'm sure I've seen one years ago, but can't find anything now. So if anyone has one, please share! thanks!
 
In my view a good Friesian has pretty close to my ideal conformation, but then I have no intention of haring off round cross-country courses any time soon. I would overlook purely cosmetic faults on the basis of a good attitude, however when you look at it, there aren't that many faults which are "purely" cosmetic; I think it's a case of best fit for the job.
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Proportions are vital, everything should 'fit' and look tough yet elegant.

Obviously I come in from an eventing slant but I will provide a few examples of mine/my sisters horses to illustrate some points.....

Beautifully balanced, strong and powerful 6yr old warmblood. Seriously talented. He has everything in beautiful proportion but is perhaps a little upright through the shoulder and hock.
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An example of a really quality thoroughbred, excellent length of rein, topline, a fab backside and strong limbs
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15.3 connemarax tb, ideal sort to my eye for eventing, he has strong pony limbs, a great depth of girth, a very nicely balanced and well proportioned body

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And little Moon, trakhenerx tb. Everything is wrong- dont buy a horse like this (although she's the most talented of the bunch
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I am no conformation expert at all, however I like a horse with a good sloping shoulder and a decent length of rein with a well set on neck - higher rather than lower. Built uphill rather than downhill and fairly short coupled are also things I look for - although I have to say if the horse does the job I want I don't care that much about conformation.
 
Lovely horses! - I think what is interesting is that people do look for slightly different things, depending on the job. Of all of those horses I would say the top one is the best conformationally, but that's because it's everything that I like and makes the best overall picture IMO

My friend who events reckons the grey is the better type!

ETA - how is the 1st one bred?
 
To me the conformation starts at the feet and works up. If a horse hasn't got the feet and limbs to carry the frame or stand up to the work required it doesn't matter if the rest of it is good.
 
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Lovely horses! - I think what is interesting is that people do look for slightly different things, depending on the job. Of all of those horses I would say the top one is the best conformationally, but that's because it's everything that I like and makes the best overall picture IMO

My friend who events reckons the grey is the better type!

ETA - how is the 1st one bred?

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He's by Renkum Valentino, bred to sj but he did event a little- he just doesnt really have the right brain to event. He is pretty fautless in his conformation.

The grey is an ideal galloping and jumping machine, I'm looking for one just the same but with a more stable brain!!
 
What an interesting thread! And some lovely horses - I hope more people will post examples of good conformation.

My 'ideal' is a very different type from those pictured so far, and might not be everyone's cup of tea, as he's a pure-bred Arab stallion - but he's an international in-hand champion, with v good conformation as well as a pretty face!

He is 2 years old in this photo:

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As well as the absolute essentials of good limbs and feet, I look for a balanced overall picture, and I have a particular obsession with well-laid-back shoulders, high-set necks and powerful quarters.

In a show-Arab, I also want to see a pretty, dished head, high tail-carriage and elevated, extravagant movement (and of course you don't get the movement without the sloping shoulder and powerful 'engine').
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