Conformation conundrums
Conformation is one of those things that can feel unnecessarily complicated. So, if you’re struggling to know where to start, here’s some handy advice
Photos: Jon Stroud
Just as there’s no such thing as the perfectly symmetrical person, the perfect horse – no matter your opinion of your own – also doesn’t exist. All horses have their own imperfections but, for the most part, are very capable of cracking on and doing a job well regardless. The key thing is to recognise your horse’s strengths and weaknesses, especially where his conformation might be a risk factor in injury or limit his ability to do a particular job. So, how can you go about assessing a horse’s conformation to help you recognise those pros and cons?
Our expert
Fizz Marshall has worked with all types of horses in her six years as Centre Manager at the Equine Therapy Centre at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. More recently she’s trained racehorses for Jonjo O’Neill and been Yard Manager for Carl Hester.
What is conformation?
By definition, a horse’s conformation refers to his physical make-up.
It can be congenital – inherited from one or both parents – or develop over time.
Foot balance is a prime example of the latter, which can be dramatically altered for the better or worse by shoeing and trimming.
The way a horse is put together can ultimately impact his...
• athletic ability
• likelihood of injury in the future
• way of going
• ability to control his body
• muscle development
• posture and how he holds himself
So, as you can probably deduce, a horse’s conformation is incredibly influential over his ridden career prospects and long-term soundness.
All things considered