Just for fun, those who wanted to learn about conformation

[HumBugsey]

And it's from a line drawing so you can't offend, knock yourselves out!

This picture is from one of my most useful books, called "Conformation for the Purpose" by Susan McBane and is nothing to do with me etc etc apart from I like it. It has general confo information then says what you can get away with/what's desirable in different disciplines. Great book and very honest. Anywho:

I'll post the answers in a little while but I'll try and keep it a way down the page so people can keep having a go

 

[stencilface]

Roach back, ewe neck and dodgy front feet?!

 

[HumBugsey]

Lol I'll give you a hint, there's not a lot right with it! lol

Just flicking through the book and I've found two pages full of line drawings of legs and various faults (and an ideal) but not sure if posting more pictures would get me in trouble.... although it's propperly referenced

Hang on... when does refferencing become advertising? lol

 

[lillith]

Bull neck, coarse through the throat - doesnt look flexible, roach back, weak quarters, something very odd about the stifle/gaskin area, light of bone and very odd front hooves. How many did I miss?

always try to say something positive too so ...... nice ears, cute.

 

[stencilface]

Tied in at the knee?

 

[HumBugsey]

Bull neck, coarse through the throat - doesnt look flexible, roach back, weak quarters, something very odd about the stifle/gaskin area, light of bone and very odd front hooves. How many did I miss?

always try to say something positive too so ...... nice ears, cute.

It's a line drawing, let rip

Between you all I think you have most so here's what it says in the book,

Tried to take a pic with the DSi but didn’t focus so had to type it up:

“Faults in the drawing of the horse with poor conformation: Rather heavy head making for a poor balance and a horse on the forehand; sharp angle at the throat causing difficulty in flexing; thick, heavy neck which may be inflexible; loaded shoulder making for a rolling movement; fore tendons tied in below the knee which indicated weakness; rather short front pasterns which may produce a rough ride; small very shallow feet which will probably cause constant shoeing and maybe lameness problems; a roach back which is strong but uncomfortable to sit on and may push the saddle forward in the backs of the shoulders and behind the elbows, particularly as there is no girth groove and the withers are fairly low; weak gaskins and long hind cannons. Maybe his temperament will make him and ideal companion or pet because he’ll never be good for any real work.”

 

[Faro]

If you'll just give me until about 8.30pm tonight when I get home, I will have ALL of the correct answers for you. And I will be able to prove for sure just how brilliant, expert and knowledgeable I am!!!

(Okay, so I've got the book at home!)

 

[vallin]

lol...well it looks worrying like my horse if that's any help...but she's good for everything so confo isn't everything is it! lol

Her back is normally not quite so roachy, but she pinged it a week ago jumping...oops!

 

[HumBugsey]

Ok, her body (barrel/back etc) does looks like it a little but legs and neck are much much nicer! And they're farrrrr more important in my book

Oh and bump because it's busy now and this had dropped off

 

[vallin]

lol....thanks you...unfotunatly it's the belly that usually gets notice...I wonder why? and the back that makes for very difficult saddle fitting! Oh well none of them are perfect are they eh? lol

 

[HumBugsey]

The second ugliest (and most conformationally incorrect) horse I ever knew was my favourite horse to drive. He was a complete smasher. Unfortunately the confo got him in the end and he was retired in his mid teens but he's still an absolute star!