Judging Hunter Under Saddle

We have discussed on multiple times how to judge a Hunter Under Saddle class in our practices. Take a moment and write down 5 things you want to look for in a Hunter Under Saddle class.

Once you've done that view the youtube videos below and place the class accordingly. For those of you who missed practice, this is one of the classes we placed today.

Horse 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30i91IUW7B0

Horse 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm3UlaamHm4

Horse 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evmn4Xxscfk

Horse 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZHWHgUb60

Leg Conformation

It's is so easy to identify leg faults and ideal leg structure when it is in a perfectly drawn picture with a horse standing squared. However, when you enter that ring to judge real horses it gets a bit confusing. So today we are going to look at some real pictures of horse legs and identify what is going on down there. I have included the ideal pictures to help but try to do as much on your own. I will post the answers in the comments section.





Here we go....

1. What is happening in this horse's front legs???



2. The following two pictures are often mistaken for the same thing. These are two distinctly different confirmation faults. What are they, and how do they differ?




3.What two things are happening here?



4. What would this horse be marked down for?



Sorry guys...we'll touch back on legs later, but I am running out of time in my planning period. So as your final challenge you must determine which of the following horses has the most ideal legs!

How to Judge Arabians In Hand

So you are going to be judging an Arabian In Hand Class. What are you going to be looking for?

The first thing you look at in Arabians is always going to be their type. What is an Arabian type? Write down the first thing that comes to mind in Arabian type before scrolling down.



The Arabian type should be very refined all around. They have a broad forehead with wideset eyes that tapers to a small refine muzzle with flaring nostrils. They distinctly have a dish in their forhead. They have small refined bodies with a very short back. They have an arching neck and a high set tail.



So after we establish type we look at balance, structure and muscle. These are lean, refined horses. We are not looking to the muscle structure of a quarter horse.

Look at the two pictures below and tell me which one is more of an Arabian type and why? Feel free to leave in the comments section.




Now judge a arabian in hand class below.

Quarter Horse Class of 3

You will be judging this class of three quarter horses. Please design reasons for this class. Remember that quarter horses focus on type and muscling...MUSCLING!!!!

Post your placings and your reasons before reading mine.