Questions about conformation in general...

[Katie__Connie]

Just wondering really... who decided what 'correct' conformation is anyway? How do you know if its 'correct' or not? And what makes a variation in conformation a 'fault'?

Just general questions

 

[camilla4]

Desirable conformation is decided by what makes a horse more or less suitable for its purpose. e.g many points make a horse a more comfortable ride - sloping shoulder etc; some faults can lead to weakness e.g longer cannons, and therefore tendons, sloping pasterns; some faults make it difficult for a horse to flex and/or carry itself properly in true self carriage e.g thick jaw, over long back. Other traits such as a pretty head are simply preferred.

 

[Katie__Connie]

Ahh ok.. thanks

 

[HumBugsey]

Most are with respect to future soundness and length of working life such as angles of pasterns and feet. However there are things that are desirable as breed traits such as a heavy horse needs to be very straight moving and relatively close behind so they don't kick the furrows out when plowing but the Peruvian paso is bred to dish heavily (although feet still hit the ground straight) as it's considered flashy in a riding horse.