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Head and Neck

Conformation

Lesson 2

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Objectives Define and describe the ³conformational

ideal´ head and neck

Define and describe head and neck

conformational faults

Define proportions of the head and neck

and describe how they relate to overallfunction

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Head Attracts the eye

Viewed first by buyers

 Affects use of that horse

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Head Purpose: Balance by acting like a

pendulum

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³Ideal´ Head Head size compliments neck

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Head²´Ideal´ Ears Ears are usually proportional to the head

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Head²´Ideal´ Balance Distance between the horse¶s eyes is ~ ½

the distance of a line from poll to midpoint

of the nostril

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Head²´Ideal´ Nostrils Enables the horse to breathe

Nostril openings -- wide

Nostrils -- thin and elastic

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Head²´Ideal´ muzzle Teeth -- aligned (upper and lower)

Lips ± full and cover the teeth

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Head Size²Faults A big head =

 A small head =

Small heads on foals/weanlings

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Head Nostrils²Fault Too small ±

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Head Muzzle²Fault

Parrot mouthed (hereditary!)

Monkey mouthed

NOTE: in AQHA  judging mouths do not have an

effect on placing!

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Head Faults

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Head²Dished A concave face or bridge of nose

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Narrow  jaw/throatlatch²Fault Narrow if the measurement is less than

7.2 cm

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Wide  jaw/throatlatch

Between  jawbones = greater than 7.2 cm

(generally your fist)

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Examples:

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Examples

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Neck Conformation

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Neck Purpose

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Neck²´Ideal´ ~ 1/3 of the horse¶s overall length or 

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Neck²´Ideal´ Top line (withers to poll)

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Neck Terminology Well-muscled

Slightly arched

Clean throatlatch

Neck ties in cleanly with the withers and

top line

Neck ties in cleanly with the shoulder 

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Neck Terminology High-set

Neck angles up from the shoulder (breed

specific)

Low-set

Neck ties in low to the shoulder (usually not

desirable)

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Neck Notes:

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 Arched or Turned-over neck

Crest is convex or arched

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Short Neck

Common fault

Often associated with thickness

Still flexible, agile and moveable

For performance:

Better suited for quick turns

BUT is still functional (if it is the only fault!)

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Long Neck

Long = exceeds the proportional length of 

the horse¶s body

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Large crest/Fallen crest

³Tro jan horse´ appearance

In extreme cases the crest ³falls´ to one

side

Most common in stallions, ponies, draft

horses, and the Morgan breed

Result of excessive fat above nuchal

ligament

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Ewe Neck (Upside-down)

Named for the shape of sheep¶s neck

Unevenly muscled in neck/thin neck

Noticeable dip in front of the withers

Bulging muscles on the underside of the

neck

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Swan Neck

Slender and long neck

Upper curved/arched (correctly)

Dip remains in front of withers

Underside muscles bulge

Common fault

Often caused by poor riding

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Knife-necked

Long, skinny neck

Poor development of muscles

Both top line and bottom line of neck

Straight crest, no substance on bottom

Often rider-induced

Not common fault

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