Fix it up for the horse

Hey Folks, this go round I would like to share some ideas about conformation and how it can directly affect your horses performance. First I need to give credit to the fellows I picked this bit of knowledge up from--Doug Milholland and Bob Loomis. Years ago, I had the pleasure of riding with Doug Milholland. Doug drilled it my head about riding in time with the horse. As I continued to search and learn about riding a reining horse I picked up on another successful reiner's knowledge, Bob Loomis. These fellows' abilities and their horses performance amazed me as a young man.

At the all knowing old age of my 20s I found myself in a trap. I knew I had the timing and the mechanics of the horse down pat so to speak, but I couldn't always get those set of 11's I was looking for in my stop, no matter how hard I tried. Believe me when I say, I punished a few horses before I figured this deal out. I finally had to accept the fact that some horses were simply conformed and bred to do certain events better than others. However, what I have learned is there's one common denominator in all horses that performed well in their event. It is called a trapezoid. Yes, a mathematical figure to be found on the horse if you know where to look. I have learned to use and look for this trapezoid figure in race, barrel, cow, and ranch horse versatility horses. So the theory isn't discriminating in any way. As matter of fact, I have been known to do extremely well at the track using this theory until what made Milwaukee famous prevented my mental intellect from walking away, rather than betting one more daily double or trifecta. Oh, the pain of growing up.

The whole idea of this theory is to find a true balanced horse. When artist Jim Reno made the bronze of Secretariat he used a trapezoid figure for the base of his sculpture. The angles of Secretariat's shoulders and hips were heaven sent for power and speed. Horseman Don Burt passed this theory on to the performance and show world. I give credit to Bob Loomis for sharing this theory in his book, "Reining The Art of Performance In Horses."

First, divide the side of the horse into thirds as in drawing A. The first measurement is from the point of the shoulder to the girth. Next from the girth to the flank. Then from the flank to the point of the buttocks. These lines should divide into three equal parts.

Next, connect the dots and lines. Imagine, measure, or draw a line from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks. This is your bottom line. Next measure or draw a line from the buttocks to the top of the croup. Then measure or draw from the croup to the withers and finally from the withers to the point of the shoulder. A true trapezoid will be balanced in measurement. See figure B. The parallel lines of the shoulder and hip should be identical in measurement and angle. To put it in cowboy terms a short back, long bottom line, chest and butt angles to match.

Now consider the neck. The horse balances itself with its neck. An ideal neck would be the same length as its shoulder, back, and hip measurements. The neck should be the same measurement from the poll to the wither as the measurement from the wither to the croup, or from the croup to the point of the hip or from the withers to the point of the shoulder.

Next, consider your shoulder and hip angles for speed and power. The length of the horses stride will be found in the angle of the shoulder, the power and stopping ability will fall in the angle of the hip.

Don't forget the height of the withers, that is the balance point. For example, if the withers are lower than the croup it will make the horse feel as though there running down hill all the time. This horse won't move his front end as well. This will also affect the size of your hearth girth which is where your lung capacity is.

As you discover the math of this trapezoid figure you will be able to measure the ideal length of all the horses limbs. I would highly suggest for further research and understanding of this theory refer to "Reining The Art Of the Performance Horse."

Always remember, "There's one bit that works on all horse's, a bit of knowledge." Until next go hope the good Lord blesses you, your family, and your livestock.

God bless, Pat

Pat Hooks is a day working cowboy from Texhoma, Okla. Hooks has taught clinics at national horse expo's and private ranches since 1989, and writes how-to articles for various national magazines, websites and is a published author. For more information on his books, DVD's, and clinics please go to www.hookshorseranch.com or call 580-423-7482.

Date: 2/16/09