Which conformation book?

[superpony]

I am currently studying for my BHS Stage 4 care and I feel that conformation is a real weakness of mine. I was looking at books for Christmas and I was wondering if anyone had either of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Photograph...horse+confirmation+book&qid=1607373286&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horse-Conf...1V8G4NMEEBD&psc=1&refRID=4H2K1E2RW1V8G4NMEEBD

Trying to decide which one to get. Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[TPO]

I've only read the first one out of the two and it does what it says on the tin.

The second book sounds interesting as it appears to cover function as well.

I dont know what's in stage 4 so apologies if way off the mark. I'd recommend studying anatomy alongside conformation. Once you know what bones, muscles and tendons are called and what their function is you can sort of use "x-ray vision" and see conformation that way.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/s?k=equine+anatomy&sprefix=equine+ana&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_2_10

The Maggie Raynor and Peter Goody books are good for plain old anatomy.

The Gillian Higgins "Inside Out" books are good too for showing how everything works and moves. The painted horses are handy for anatomy too.

 

[rabatsa]

I only have the first book. Unfortunately the best way to learn conformation is to see it in real life. I was fortunate that several old horsemen sat with me at lots of horse sales and pointed things out as horses and ponies came into the ring. That way I saw '000's of animals with most faults pointed out when I could not spot them.

Good luck when you take your exam.

 

[Equi]

As said real life and someone who can spot things is more help than a book. You can learn theory of course but seeing a real animal is beyond helpful esp when you factor in breed and what each breed society looks for in their horses. Not all conformation is the standard thoroughbred in the book type. Unfortunately it’s a bad year for learning cause I found going to shows the most helpful and playing “judge” at the fence.

 

[Zuzan]

Agree about real life but I also have the 2nd book which goes into a lot more detail than the first one in terms of function and implications .. the illustrations are excellent but so is the text

 

[superpony]

Thanks everyone. Currently doing lots of it in real life but also want some of the 'theory' to back it up and a book to hand to check things etc.