Customer Reviews

The Horse Conformation Handbook

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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.

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.

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.

This book is one of the most excellent to have if you want to understand conformation, and there are only a handful on the subject even worth having. I am usually disappointed with the quality and quanity of information in books on this subject and only rarely do I find one that is actually worth buying and this is one of them. It rivals the quality of Dr. Deb Bennett's "Principles of Conformation", usually regarded as the industry's standard on this subject, and it touches on some things that Bennett's books do not. I recommend both equally as they compliment each other very well.

This author is a very experienced horse woman and author who has written several books on equines and many, many articles for various magazines. I've been familiar with her work for years and she is a thorough author.

This book hits on equine anatomy and it does a good job of it. You have to have a handle on anatomy before you can understand conformation and this books takes the pains to explain the skeleton, the muscles, and even equine teeth before it really delves into explaining faults, and it does really delve into faults and it explains and illustrates them well.

The Book is divided into 3 parts:

Part 1. Anatomy and Principles of Conformation
2. Basic Anatomy
3. Head and Neck Conformation
4. The Teeth
5. Chest Conformation
6. Back Conformation
7. Foreleg Conformation
8. Hindquarter Conformation
9. Foot Conformation

Part II. Evaluating a Horse
10. Body Proportions
11. Body Angles
12. Height
13. How a Horse Moves
14. Athletic Ability
15 Type
16. Soundness
17. The Senior Horse

Part III. Appendixes
A. Applying What You've Learned
B. Training Your Eye: Six Case Studies

This book takes you over anatomy, into faults and their pathology and then it has a section devoted to illustrated critiques of 6 different horses. This is a book to have if you want to know what Equine Conformation is all about. It is concise, VERY well-illustrated, and very thorough.

Lots of diagrams and explanations to go with them. It contains information on every part of the equine body. Good for beginners and for the more experienced rider. Definitely a book that you can go back to time and time again.

I also bought Horse Conformation - Sturcture, Soundness and Performance, which has more photographs of good and bad conformation traits, whereas The Horse Conformation Handbook has more diagrams. Both are excellent references if you are learning about equine conformation.

This book is very clearly written and easy to use. The diagrams are easy to read, unlike some other books on conformation. I've learned a great deal and I would highly recommend this book.

Thomas has written a fabulous book that digs deep into the mechanics of the equine. I enjoy understanding why/how things function. This book has helped me to understand why some activities came very easily to my Pony Club mount and why we had to work so hard on others.

By reading this you will understand how conformation impacts performance, soundness and longevity. It is well written and the diagrams make it easy to follow. This isn't a light read, be prepared to study.

If you are a casual rider that doesn't request a lot of your horse, then you may not need to know this depth of knowledge for conformation. I find something new to learn each time I pick it up.

Backyard breeders... PLEASE read this book. Bred-to-the-Nines doesn't do much for a horse that isn't built correctly to perform.

This book is an outstanding reference book on horse conformation. Although, I'm a relaltive novice to thoroughbred horse racing I have bought 5 thoroughbred yearlings so far and this book helped me find a steal at the latest Barretts Sale. After reading this book I know more of the finer points of conformation than some of my far more experienced horsemen friends.

Recently read some articles on confirmation that were co-authored by 2 vets and they couldn't hole a candle to this book. I won't be buying other books on conformation as this is the only one I need.

Thanks Amazon.

This is a wonderful book that every horse owner or potential owner should read and have in their collection. Not only is it written extremely well there are enough diagrams to be able to visualize EVERYTHING. I believe there are enough diagrams/drawings throughout the book to have at least one per page. There is such a wealth of knowledge in this book you won't walk away from it disappointed. It covers everything from basic anatomy to individual conformation of each part of the body to evaluating individual horses and applying what you've learned. There is nothing negative I could say about this book. It's very apparent that the author knows what she's talking about and has done her research. A lot of thought has gone into this book. It's an easy enough read for someone new to horses but has enough information for anyone no matter their experience to take something away from it.

I'm nothing but happy with this book. It does a great job lining out HOW to analyze a horse's conformation. I wouldn't recommend it to the horse beginner, as it goes in depth and assumes a basic knowledge of horse parts, breed characteristics and some basic horsemanship knowledge... but really a great book! I thought it was going to be handbook size, but it's a chunky textbook of information. WELL worth the price.