The Horse Conformation Handbook [Paperback]

Heather Smith Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2005

Conformation concerns body structure and anatomy. In this comprehensive volume, Heather Smith Thomas explains how conformation relates to function and what to look for when evaluating a horse. She teaches the reader to see beyond a horse's physical beauty to identify desirable attributes and potential faults, and with copious illustrations and explanations, trains the eye to recognize the hallmarks of soundness, durability, trainability, and athletic potential.

Thomas begins with an in-depth discussion of equine anatomy and the importance of balance and proportion. She also explains how to detect "heart," that indefinable quality that distinguishes a horse from his peers and compels him to excel. The book concludes with real-world applications of the principles of good conformation, including helping a horse succeed by matching him with the right job and what the conformation of the aging horse can tell you.

Horses with good conformation move fluidly, experience less wear and tear on joints, and are more apt to stay fit and sound during a long life of service. Whether you're buying your first horse, choosing breeding stock, or simply want to learn more about your equine companion, The Horse Conformation Handbook will help you understand horses better than ever before.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…The Horse Conformation Handbook is the only complete book on the topic and will provide horse owners with a thorough introduction.” – America’s Bridle & Bit

 

“…a comprehensive, yet user-friendly, “how-to” guide on evaluating a horse for soundness, athletic potential, trainability and longevity.” – Performance Horse

 

“Excellent pictures and illustrations make for easy understanding of how and why a part of the horse operates.  If you are going to use horses for work or pleasure, you need this book.”

Small Farm Journal

 

“Is it worth $22.95 to have a reference guide that will build your expertise in evaluating a horse’s conformation?  You can bet the farm on it.”

Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar

 

About the Author

Heather Smith Thomas raises cattle and horses on her family ranch in Salmon, Idaho. She is the author of 10 books and thousands of articles on animal health care. Her books include Essential Guide to Calving, Getting Started with Beef & Dairy Cattle, and Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580175589
• ISBN-13: 978-1580175586
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Horses > Riding
  • #73 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Agricultural Sciences > Animal Husbandry

More About the Author

Heather Smith Thomas grew up on a ranch near Salmon, Idaho.
She is the author of 20 books and thousands of articles on animal health care. Her books include Essential Guide to Calving, Getting Started with Beef & Dairy Cattle, Storey's Guide to Raising Horses, Storey's Guide to Training Horses, The Horse Conformation Handbook, Care and Management of Horses, Stable Smarts, Understanding Equine Hoof Care, Beyond the Flames--A Family Touched by Fire, The Cattle Health Handbook and Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle.
She began writing stories for children's magazines while still in high school and wrote articles for horse and farm publications to help pay her way through college (University of Puget Sound). She wrote her first book, A Horse in Your Life: A Guide for the New Owner, during the summer between her sophomore and junior year of college. She and her husband Lynn Thomas have been raising beef cattle and a few horses on their ranch in central Idaho since 1967. Most of her books and articles deal with horse or cattle health care, breeding, or handling. Her goal has been to learn all she can about the care of horses and cattle, and to share this with her readers. One of her books, however, discusses an entirely different subject. Beyond the Flames tells about her daughter's severe burn injury and how this changed their lives. For more information about that book, and updates on the Thomas family and their ranch life, see Heather's blogs at http://www.heathersmiththomas.blogspot.com and for short anecdotes about her experiences with some of the horses and cattle she has raised, see her author's blog at http://insidestorey.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the best, July 11, 2005

By 

Kathleen Herbert (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Horse Conformation Handbook (Paperback)

A definitive guide that not only is written in fine detail allowing the reader to understand the concepts of form to function, but clear and large photographs make the text relevant and real. Not sure how the loin relates to hip in underlying bony structure and why the relationship is important? If that prospect you're considering purchasing built uphill, downhill or somewhere inbetween? Depending on his build, in which specialty does his talent lie? Thomas breaks down the various body parts and puts them all back together again so the reader will come away with a better understanding of the whole.

This book doesn't get bogged down in paleontology and eohippus, but gets right to the point with useful information. Then use that knowledge to evaluate several horses in the final chapter.

This is a highly recommended study guide, written in plain english. Yet it is delightful to read. It will surely become the definitive guide for anyone serious about equine conformation.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Equine enthusiast, January 3, 2007

By 

British History Buff (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Horse Conformation Handbook (Paperback)

The Handbook is an exhaustive overview of equine conformation relative to athletic ability and stamina. It also appears to be a 'halter class' juding guide. There is an exhaustive amount of information which can make it difficult for the reader to maintain focus on what is an acceptable vs. unacceptable deviation from perfect conformation.

The text is well written and the examples well illustrated, however, in order to be absolutely useful, the reader needs the ability to summarize, overview, review, and focus.

It would be helpful if the author would re-state throughout that her text is written for the 'perfect' specimen and establish that a stated percentage of horses aren't perfect. Having done that, insert a summary on conformation points which are not acceptable under any circumstance; which confirmation points are relatively acceptable; and whether any combination of confirmation points will never be found all in one horse.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A discussion of equine anatomy leads to an overview of ideas of conformation and how to evaluate a horse, November 7, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Horse Conformation Handbook (Paperback)

Heather Smith Thomas' The Horse Conformation Handbook is for those who would show their horse, focusing on conformation and fitness and how it relates to function and a horse's overall a desirable attributes. A discussion of equine anatomy leads to an overview of ideas of conformation and how to evaluate a horse. Author Thomas has worked with and written about horses for over forty years: whether you're buying a horse, showing one, or training your eye to spot problems, The Horse Confirmation Handbook is a fine reference.