What do you look for in conformation on a race horse?
 

I am just curious what you would look for in conformation wise when looking at purchasing race horses? If anyone has any thoughts I would love the education

Longer forearm? longer gaskin? smaller cannon bone?

It is hard to explain correctly without using visuals

What do you look for in conformation on a race horse?

An expert's opinion, LOL.

I don't live with the horse day to day, train, watch them grown, etc. It is the experts who have watched hundreds, if not thousands, of horses grow, mature, develop, etc. over time. Thus, they know and understands -- to whatever extent possible -- how the small issues and nuances also develop, grow, etc. over time.

Actually, I've been looking at horses most of my adult life, and I still ask trainers, vets, bloodstock consultants, etc.

Eric

Balance when moving.

This is a good conformational example (IMO):



I might be biased, though. He's my favorite stallion standing in Florida.

Cajun, there haven't been any git yit

Yeah, there has been... but none of racing age.

Cajun


Who is that? Mr Livingston I presume?

Well, that's really what I meant
none racing yet
but that brings me the point

how can he be your favorite Stallion when he hasn't produced any runners.

on the other point of confirmation
supposedly AP Valentine has wonderful conformation
yet he doesn't have any runners of note
yet

Bloodhorse has a little book, "Pinhooking", that has all the basic conformation information in it - you can order it from their website, Eclipse Press. I think they also have one on buying yearlings.

Pletcher has AP Dreamer in his stable who is by AP Valentine. He stands in Texas I believe and has very limited fertility. A few of Valentine's progeny have gone through the ring all ranging in price between 30K & 40K.

Here is a very general guide on what you are looking for in conformation:
http://www.horsehats.com/Conformation.html

Buckpasser was said to have been ideal:
http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/buckpasser.html

fupeg was called superman, as they thought his conformation was excellent.

His progeny are pretty awesome looking devils too.

That Buckpasser article was a great read!

Here's an article w/photos and assessment of the yearlings:

http://breeding.bloodhorse.com/yearl...ion_pt_one.asp

If the link doesn't work, try searching on BloodHorse

Great article at bloodhorse. Thanks for posting it
Sean

Thanks for finding this article, that was a great series.

The Storm Cat out of the Rahy mare is Harlington, who is trained by Pletcher.

I have this video, and it is excellent. Dr. Dewitt Owen's evaluation technique:

http://www.horseinfo.com/cart/confevalu.html

Thanks. I will have to check that video out