Learning conformation??

[Irish_gal]

Hey,
I want to improve my eye for horses and I was wonder what books / resources everyone here has used to help them learn more about conformation?

 

[Zuzan]

My thoughts are it's as important to understand the implications for specific points of conformation.. how conformation affects movement / function .. so my recommendations are for two books .. one which looks at conformation from a functional perspective and one which looks at movement ..
Horse Conformation - Structure Soundness and Performance
Horse Movement - Structure, Function and Rehabilitation

Both are very well illustrated

In many instances, specific conformation is a swings and roundabouts - there are pluses and minuses

 

[twobearsarthur]

I have to go old school here with Robert Oliver’s photographic guide to conformation. Loads of photos of lots of different types of horses and different conformation types.

 

[teapot]

Sales catalogues are good too

 

[FestiveG]

Stewarding at shows for good judges teaches a lot.

 

[Cortez]

I have to go old school here with Robert Oliver’s photographic guide to conformation. Loads of photos of lots of different types of horses and different conformation types.

Second this, it's very good for comparison photos of good and bad conformation points.

 

[cumbriamax]

If you are on Facebook, I think there is a Facebook site with discussion on conformation, I think the page is called Fell Pony Society next generation. Obviously it is aimed at Fell pony enthusiasts but i think it will cover conformation in general. I don't use Facebook so can't tell you specifically what is on there.
Also, if you are a member of any breed societies they sometimes hold 'conformation workshops' a few years ago I went to one hosted by the Irish Draught Society and I'm sure the fell pony society have held similar in the past.

I read recently about something being held via zoom but I can't remember where at. Maybe YouTube might have something that may be useful for you.

 

[cumbriamax]

Stewarding at shows for good judges teaches a lot.

Definitely this, I stewarded a few times and found this. At one show a old school judge couldn't make up his mind between two horses and spent ages delibating, seeing them all ways including putting them nose to nose for comparison and then he turned round and asked me what I thought.

 

[ycbm]

Old copies of Horse and Hound had a series you would really enjoy where they took a famous horse competing at top level and pulled its conformation to pieces. It was really interesting, both from the point of view of what is correct and from the point of view of what defects top horses can cope with and still be great at what they do. I think back 3 or 4 years, maybe someone else can pinpoint better.
.

 

[kathantoinette]

There was a good thread on here awhile back where people posted pics of their horses for critique...someone might find it...

 

[onemoretime]

I have to go old school here with Robert Oliver’s photographic guide to conformation. Loads of photos of lots of different types of horses and different conformation types.

Agree with this. I have Robert Oliver's book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about conformation both good and bad faults.

 

[Irish_gal]

Agree with this. I have Robert Oliver's book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about conformation both good and bad faults.

Thanks! Ordered it from the library today!

 

[Irish_gal]

I have to go old school here with Robert Oliver’s photographic guide to conformation. Loads of photos of lots of different types of horses and different conformation types.

Thank you! ? Ordered it from the library today!

 

[silv]

Agree with this. I have Robert Oliver's book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about conformation both good and bad faults.

I got mine from Amazon a while back.
Also go and watch showing classes at a show and look at different horses. A good show producer can cover up defects well with clever presentation and turnout.