Conformation Clinic?

ray · 12-06-2005, 08:25 PM

Would anyone be interested in having somekind of "conformation clinic"? I thought maybe if once a week or whatever, one member could post a nice square photo of a horse (can be an anoynomous horse or even a picture out of a magazine or ad) and we judge it on conformation, good and bad. I am very anxious to learn more and wouldn't be offended if anyone put in there two cents about my girls?

OSUJillyBean · 12-06-2005, 08:28 PM

I would love this idea! As a horse-buyer-to-be I could use the practice in discerning good conformation from bad. Someone should do this!

QuartersAllTheWay · 12-06-2005, 08:29 PM

sure

sounds like a plan. Go ahead and post the first horse. Lets get this started.

<note from Annie: Can we hold off on this for just a day or so? I'd like to establish a couple of simple ground rules for comments and see how much interest there is first.>

**Horsetopia-Annie** · 12-06-2005, 08:30 PM

This sounds like a great idea and I like the idea of limiting it to one per week so that everyone gets plenty of feedback about his/her horse. If you are interested, please reply below. In your reply please note if you have any horses you would like to sumbit to the "clinic" if you have more than one, please include the number.

When we see how much interest there is, we can figure out how to best coordinate the entries so that we don't end up with more than 1 per week.

Thanks for the excellent idea, ray!

QuartersAllTheWay · 12-06-2005, 08:40 PM

Sure Annie, I'm excited

I have 4 I would like to enter.

astablehand · 12-06-2005, 08:42 PM

I'm in on it! The 'conformation clinic' in Horse & Rider(?) was always my favorite article... I have a lineup of horses that I would like to enter (over time of course) around 8!

EquineAlberta · 12-06-2005, 09:12 PM

Cool idea! It will be interesting to see the differing opinions on the same horse from a variety of people with different perspectives!

I think one rule should be that the horse is owned/in the care of the person submitting the post. It shouldn't be photos taken off the web or photos of horses for sale, in case the owner sees not so favourable comments and gets upset with the forum!

Karen2

Range · 12-06-2005, 09:12 PM

I would have 4, 6 if we include miniatures!

**Horsetopia-Annie** · 12-06-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquineAlberta

I think one rule should be that the horse is owned/in the care of the person submitting the post. It shouldn't be photos taken off the web or photos of horses for sale, in case the owner sees not so favourable comments and gets upset with the forum!

I agree completely. Anyone else who has ideas for other guidelines to the clinic should post them below or private message me.

HoosierSuz · 12-06-2005, 09:46 PM

I'd offer up my quarter horse and thoroughbred as examples. They both are quite representative of their respective breeds, so they'd be good learning tools - though neither has "perfect" confirmation!

TXCowGrl82 · 12-06-2005, 09:48 PM

Hmmm, interesting idea. I'm a little confused about one thing. Is this supposed to be one person telling others what to look for in a horse's conformation and then we discuss, or we all just discuss? I think a qualified person should lead the discussion.

mglpony · 12-06-2005, 09:51 PM

Alright, it's about time! I'm such a dunce at conformation and haven't found any good resources on it so I love this idea. (Especially since I always had the reverse order in the conformation clinics AStableHand was referring to

)

QuarterCowGirl · 12-06-2005, 11:34 PM

I'd love to see what my mares rate! Thats makes 2 more to add to the list.

WYJumper · 12-06-2005, 11:43 PM

I think it would be simpler if we/you appointed one person to handled the pictures, everybody could sent their photos too him/her and then he could resize it if necessary and post one a week. Gee, is this making any sense?

snickers · 12-06-2005, 11:54 PM

Add me in. Sounds great.
I would love the input.

mandelyn82 · 12-07-2005, 05:00 AM

I think it's a great idea, but I see a problem of personal preference?

So would it be ok if the person in charge of that weeks post had the breed standards listed with the picture? That way, us conformationly challenged people have an idea of what to look for in the particular horse posted, and personal preferance will play a smaller role in the "judgement" of said horse.

Otherwise I see a lot of posts that'll say something like "His back is a little long, I like a shorter backed horse..." What if that breed is supposed to have a longer back? Then the horse would not have a long back, it would be well within the breed conformation.

Since most of us are partial to just a few breeds, and we know what to look for in those breeds, but not others, I think it would be a good idea for us to know what the posted horse "should" look like.

Also, a disclaimer for those who post their horse. So that everyone knows that if negative things are pointed out, not to take offense. This won't be much of a learning experience if we all say "aaww, he's pretty". All horses are pretty.... even those with flaws. And I have yet to see a "perfect" horse.

Maybe for every flaw you mention, you have to say a good thing?

Maybe start a new forum to post this, under Conformation, and then subject title it as " December Conformation, wk 1" or something. That way any other conformation questions can be posted there too.

joustinggirl · 12-07-2005, 06:11 AM

I often get things mixed up in my head. I showed for too long. Most times a horse that wins halter does not ride for crud. Halter horses are often very short backed, short necked and straight shouldered. TWH and Jumpers want to be slightly cowhocked. It may be helpful if the person submitting the picture tells everyone what they want the horse to do. And the quality of the picture is going to make all the difference in the world.

muttduck · 12-07-2005, 06:52 AM

(TXCowGrl... it would be like you submitting a photo of Duke, and others critiquing his conformation.)

Annie, I agree with many of the ideas... Valid points being made!

Limit it to one per week and LOCK the thread at the end of the week.

One central person to submit photos to.

What the owner wants the horse to be able to perform.

What the forum feels the horse is best suited to perform.

Possibly what the breed standard is (if it is a specific breed.) - Don't forget, there are many crossbreds and grade horses as well, so it would be nice to include them on general conformation.

The horse must be legally owned, leased, or under the legal care of the person submitting the photo.

NOT "I want to buy this horse, what do you think?" That could upset sellers.

NOW, if the SELLER posted the horse, I would have a disclaimer that we are not professional conformation experts, and that our posts should not be used for selling purposes (or along that line...)

And you could include 2 (or 3

) that I would like to hear about.

TDH · 12-07-2005, 08:09 AM

I love the idea of doing something like this! I agree it's got to be completely open and honest without being offensive or just the generic "he looks nice" stuff. I have 2 photos I would submit, would love to see other purebred, grade, etc. horses too... this sounds like something ALL of us could learn from!

JoAnn1978 · 12-07-2005, 08:17 AM

I would love this idea! I am new to horse ownership, and earlier I had a post where I had said that I believe my horse to have good- if not really good conformation (from what I've been told by others around!) so it will be nice to know if he does indeed have conformation, and get opinions on how to improve his weight and appearance.

I'm looking to learn!

12-06-2005, 08:25 PM
ray Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 729	Conformation Clinic? Would anyone be interested in having somekind of "conformation clinic"? I thought maybe if once a week or whatever, one member could post a nice square photo of a horse (can be an anoynomous horse or even a picture out of a magazine or ad) and we judge it on conformation, good and bad. I am very anxious to learn more and wouldn't be offended if anyone put in there two cents about my girls? __________________ If wishes were horses, then beggers would ride!

12-06-2005, 08:28 PM
OSUJillyBean Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,441	I would love this idea! As a horse-buyer-to-be I could use the practice in discerning good conformation from bad. Someone should do this!

12-06-2005, 08:29 PM
QuartersAllTheWay Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 854	sure sounds like a plan. Go ahead and post the first horse. Lets get this started. <note from Annie: Can we hold off on this for just a day or so? I'd like to establish a couple of simple ground rules for comments and see how much interest there is first.>

12-06-2005, 08:30 PM
Horsetopia-Annie Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,662	This sounds like a great idea and I like the idea of limiting it to one per week so that everyone gets plenty of feedback about his/her horse. If you are interested, please reply below. In your reply please note if you have any horses you would like to sumbit to the "clinic" if you have more than one, please include the number. When we see how much interest there is, we can figure out how to best coordinate the entries so that we don't end up with more than 1 per week. Thanks for the excellent idea, ray! __________________ Annie Horsetopia.com

12-06-2005, 08:40 PM
QuartersAllTheWay Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 854	Sure Annie, I'm excited I have 4 I would like to enter.

12-06-2005, 08:42 PM
astablehand Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Creston, British Columbia Posts: 527	I'm in on it! The 'conformation clinic' in Horse & Rider(?) was always my favorite article... I have a lineup of horses that I would like to enter (over time of course) around 8! __________________ The road to recovery is faster on horseback

12-06-2005, 09:12 PM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,395	Cool idea! It will be interesting to see the differing opinions on the same horse from a variety of people with different perspectives! I think one rule should be that the horse is owned/in the care of the person submitting the post. It shouldn't be photos taken off the web or photos of horses for sale, in case the owner sees not so favourable comments and gets upset with the forum! Karen2 __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise

12-06-2005, 09:12 PM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,929	clinic I would have 4, 6 if we include miniatures! __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery www.goatsandsoaps.com for all your Boer goat and bath soap needs.

12-06-2005, 09:46 PM
HoosierSuz Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 382	I'd offer up my quarter horse and thoroughbred as examples. They both are quite representative of their respective breeds, so they'd be good learning tools - though neither has "perfect" confirmation!

12-06-2005, 09:48 PM
TXCowGrl82 Greenbroke Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Huntsville, Texas Posts: 3,242	Hmmm, interesting idea. I'm a little confused about one thing. Is this supposed to be one person telling others what to look for in a horse's conformation and then we discuss, or we all just discuss? I think a qualified person should lead the discussion.

12-06-2005, 09:51 PM
mglpony Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 144	Alright, it's about time! I'm such a dunce at conformation and haven't found any good resources on it so I love this idea. (Especially since I always had the reverse order in the conformation clinics AStableHand was referring to )

12-06-2005, 11:34 PM
QuarterCowGirl Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, CANADA Posts: 7,422	I'd love to see what my mares rate! Thats makes 2 more to add to the list. __________________ I'm a farmer - I'll grow on you.

12-06-2005, 11:43 PM
WYJumper Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Least Populated State Posts: 1,342	I think it would be simpler if we/you appointed one person to handled the pictures, everybody could sent their photos too him/her and then he could resize it if necessary and post one a week. Gee, is this making any sense? __________________ Steph

12-06-2005, 11:54 PM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 9,811	Add me in. Sounds great. I would love the input. __________________ The "real" FACE of white trash is not here. http://diamondpfarm.webs.com/

12-07-2005, 05:00 AM
mandelyn82 Started Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 2,337	I think it's a great idea, but I see a problem of personal preference? So would it be ok if the person in charge of that weeks post had the breed standards listed with the picture? That way, us conformationly challenged people have an idea of what to look for in the particular horse posted, and personal preferance will play a smaller role in the "judgement" of said horse. Otherwise I see a lot of posts that'll say something like "His back is a little long, I like a shorter backed horse..." What if that breed is supposed to have a longer back? Then the horse would not have a long back, it would be well within the breed conformation. Since most of us are partial to just a few breeds, and we know what to look for in those breeds, but not others, I think it would be a good idea for us to know what the posted horse "should" look like. Also, a disclaimer for those who post their horse. So that everyone knows that if negative things are pointed out, not to take offense. This won't be much of a learning experience if we all say "aaww, he's pretty". All horses are pretty.... even those with flaws. And I have yet to see a "perfect" horse. Maybe for every flaw you mention, you have to say a good thing? Maybe start a new forum to post this, under Conformation, and then subject title it as " December Conformation, wk 1" or something. That way any other conformation questions can be posted there too. __________________ "The more people I meet the more I love my German Shepherd"

12-07-2005, 06:11 AM
joustinggirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boones Mill, Virgina Posts: 3,811	I often get things mixed up in my head. I showed for too long. Most times a horse that wins halter does not ride for crud. Halter horses are often very short backed, short necked and straight shouldered. TWH and Jumpers want to be slightly cowhocked. It may be helpful if the person submitting the picture tells everyone what they want the horse to do. And the quality of the picture is going to make all the difference in the world. __________________ Pink Tiger says 'Grrrrrr'

12-07-2005, 06:52 AM
muttduck Kid Safe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 7,053	(TXCowGrl... it would be like you submitting a photo of Duke, and others critiquing his conformation.) Annie, I agree with many of the ideas... Valid points being made! Limit it to one per week and LOCK the thread at the end of the week. One central person to submit photos to. What the owner wants the horse to be able to perform. What the forum feels the horse is best suited to perform. Possibly what the breed standard is (if it is a specific breed.) - Don't forget, there are many crossbreds and grade horses as well, so it would be nice to include them on general conformation. The horse must be legally owned, leased, or under the legal care of the person submitting the photo. NOT "I want to buy this horse, what do you think?" That could upset sellers. NOW, if the SELLER posted the horse, I would have a disclaimer that we are not professional conformation experts, and that our posts should not be used for selling purposes (or along that line...) And you could include 2 (or 3 ) that I would like to hear about. __________________ sigh

12-07-2005, 08:09 AM
TDH Seasoned Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,293	I love the idea of doing something like this! I agree it's got to be completely open and honest without being offensive or just the generic "he looks nice" stuff. I have 2 photos I would submit, would love to see other purebred, grade, etc. horses too... this sounds like something ALL of us could learn from!

12-07-2005, 08:17 AM
JoAnn1978 Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 395	I would love this idea! I am new to horse ownership, and earlier I had a post where I had said that I believe my horse to have good- if not really good conformation (from what I've been told by others around!) so it will be nice to know if he does indeed have conformation, and get opinions on how to improve his weight and appearance. I'm looking to learn!