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What do you look for in a dressage horse conformation?

Conformation is indeed important to consider for a dressage horse, however no horse has perfect conformation. As a dressage rider and trainer it is important to consider the horses conformation but also understand how to accommodate the training to account for the conformation of the horse.

Here are a few desirable conformation traits for the Dressage horse:

1. Uphill balance - the withers should be higher than the coup

2. Good angles on the hind quarters - there should be a downward slope of about 45 degrees from the top of the croup to the point of the buttocks and another 45 degree angle from the point of the buttocks to the stifle. These angles will help the horse collect and engage the hind quarters

3. Long front legs and shorter hind legs - this helps to get the shoulder freedom for an expressive front leg and the shorter hind legs help for the collection

4. Not too long and not too short in the back - a horse that is too long in the back will have trouble collecting. A horse that is too short in the back will have trouble bending in the body.

5. Straight legs - this is important for the long term soundness of the horse

While it is helpful to have these conformation traits in a dressage prospect, it isn’t everything. Horses that have a good temperament, willing mind, and a good trainer are able to overcome a lot of conformational faults. No horse has perfect conformation and a lot of the top horses in the sport of dressage are far from ideal. More important is how the horse handles their body and how the rider manages the conformation of the horse. So don’t give up on your horse just because they don’t have perfect conformation!!!

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