You may be buying a thoroughbred racehorse or you may be buying a share of a horse in a horse racing partnership or syndicate. Whichever you choose, you need to know exactly what your investment is getting you. This means learning about more than just the policies of your partnership, the cost of your initial share and the monthly fees. You must understand how to get the best investment horse.
Do you understand a horse's conformation? By looking at your horse, would you be able to tell if it was acceptable for racing? The conformation is simply the shape of the horse?s body. The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association says that you should consider a horse?s balance, intelligence, bone structure, and their athletic prowess. The group puts great importance on these four categories:
1. Balance is a measure of how well proportioned the horse is. Its frame and muscle should be suited for each other.
2. Bone - Does it appear to be substantial - not too light?
3. Intelligence - Does the horse seem in control, aware of its surroundings, alert?
4. The athleticism of the horse will make itself known by the physically fit appearance of the horse.
Here are a few specific flaws in conformation that you should be aware of:
* A horse that is back at the knee has knee joints that are situated too far back. This stresses the knees and can cause toward ligaments and tendons and even chipped bones.
* Toeing in is when stride is affected by the front feet sloping inward.
* Toeing out is apparent when you see the horse?s feet facing outward. This can cause serious injuries from falls and bone spurs. When toeing out, one leg may hit another when running.
* When a horse has pig eyes, its vision is impaired by eyes that are too close together and too small.
* Sway back - long and weak in the back, causes problems properly saddling the horse and causes soreness.
Keep in mind that no horse is conformed perfectly. However, you must look for the best possible combination of the aforementioned attributes in order to get the best horse possible. For example:
* A horse with very little intelligence will be difficult to train and may not obey the jockey's commands.
* A horse with poor fitness and a chronic health problem may not be able to race or win.
* A horse with a dense bone structure will have a higher chance of becoming injured
* If the proportion is wrong, the balance and speed of the horse can be negatively affected.
Conformation simply put is a result of genetics. Look for the best and hope for the best, a well-bred sound horse you can invest in that will win.
Do you understand a horse's conformation? By looking at your horse, would you be able to tell if it was acceptable for racing? The conformation is simply the shape of the horse?s body. The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association says that you should consider a horse?s balance, intelligence, bone structure, and their athletic prowess. The group puts great importance on these four categories:
1. Balance is a measure of how well proportioned the horse is. Its frame and muscle should be suited for each other.
2. Bone - Does it appear to be substantial - not too light?
3. Intelligence - Does the horse seem in control, aware of its surroundings, alert?
4. The athleticism of the horse will make itself known by the physically fit appearance of the horse.
Here are a few specific flaws in conformation that you should be aware of:
* A horse that is back at the knee has knee joints that are situated too far back. This stresses the knees and can cause toward ligaments and tendons and even chipped bones.
* Toeing in is when stride is affected by the front feet sloping inward.
* Toeing out is apparent when you see the horse?s feet facing outward. This can cause serious injuries from falls and bone spurs. When toeing out, one leg may hit another when running.
* When a horse has pig eyes, its vision is impaired by eyes that are too close together and too small.
* Sway back - long and weak in the back, causes problems properly saddling the horse and causes soreness.
Keep in mind that no horse is conformed perfectly. However, you must look for the best possible combination of the aforementioned attributes in order to get the best horse possible. For example:
* A horse with very little intelligence will be difficult to train and may not obey the jockey's commands.
* A horse with poor fitness and a chronic health problem may not be able to race or win.
* A horse with a dense bone structure will have a higher chance of becoming injured
* If the proportion is wrong, the balance and speed of the horse can be negatively affected.
Conformation simply put is a result of genetics. Look for the best and hope for the best, a well-bred sound horse you can invest in that will win.
About the Author:
C. Anne Baker's life has included thoroughbred horseracing and breeding for many years. She also contributes to horseracing charities. For a limited period, visitors to her website PartnersInThoroughbreds.com can receive her excellent report Becoming included A horseracing Partnership
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