When judging and evaluating horses, a judge must learn to make physical assessments of the horses. Assessments are made through observations and a systematic process of evaluating the horse from head to tail back to hooves must be followed upon examination.
Assessing through observation the following points of the horse:
Viewing the head consider:
Head, Eyes, Ears and Teeth
Position of each in relationship to the size, shape, width
Viewing the front legs from the front and sides:
Correctness of hoof and legs
Width of chest and muscling
Angle and Length of shoulder, humerus and forearm
Neck, shoulder and withers attachment and length
Size of joints
Proportional length of bones in the leg
Angles of hoof and pasterns
Viewing the body from the side:
Proportions in relation to parts, depths and lengths
Back, coupling, croup, hips, and tail set
Over all balance
Muscling density and length
Viewing movement at the walk and gaits:
Freedom and length of movement
Correctness of gaits
Consistency held in gaits
Carriage of head, neck, and tail
Height of knee and hock stride
Considering the horse in relations ship to its breed:
