The South African Warmblood Society

 TSAWB Conformation

Topline and Frame:

A harmonious outline should be formed from a well set on head, an 'up hill' carriage of the neck, sloping into the wither, a strong back (neither too close coupled nor too long), strong in the loins, and a gently sloping hind quarter that has maximum length from hip to buttock. The withers should be a little higher than the croup. Good withers provide a lever for the muscles of the neck and back to work together in an efficient way. A long wither running into the back provides the saddle with a clear place to sit . A good wither makes it easy for the horse to engage in collection, to lengthen for dressage and round the back to clear jumping obstacles; and

to extend the shoulder and back for improved stride length. It also allows for easy take-off in jumping and for the correct outline of the dressage horse and for keeping weight off the front end and so helps agility.

The horse's body should be one-third shoulder, one-third back, one third hindquarter. The shoulder and hind quarter to be as evenly

matched as possible. Good chest space required for maximum lung expansion in sport. Deep girth. Free elbow and well defined girth groove. Ribs to be well sprung. The horse should stand over ground (often referred to as rectangular not square in type)

Shoulder and Saddle Position:

Sloping shoulder with long wither into the back is the ideal. A horse with a long, sloping shoulder will have more ability to contract, lengthen and to elevate the shoulders and help it be a better jumper. A short upright shoulder gives a choppy ride and causes increased concussion to the forelimbs; developing wear on the joints and other ailments. Neck should be well set onto the shoulder.

Head and Neck:

A straight profile is most normal in a head but some are still Roman nosed (this is not preferred), while quite pretty refined heads are also seen these days. A broad flat forehead and well defined poll. Eyes large and widely set apart and expressive . Jaw well defined and wide (a fist to fit between the two jaw bones) Correctly set on the head and neck - The head and neck should join without too much muscling or thickness. There should be an open area just behind the jowl and a clear area for the throat latch to sit; good freedom of the jowl. The horse should be able to flex nicely through the poll. The neck's top line should be well arched and join the wither without the wither being too accentuated. 

Hooves:

Two identical feet, following a straight line to pastern as seen from the side, front and back. Hoof to be equally divided into halves by a plumb line when viewed from the back or the front. Coronet to be parallel to the ground surface when viewed from the front. Bulbs to be of equal height. Line drawn through the middle of the frog when the hoof is held up and the surface is viewed, should bisect the hoof equally. 

Limbs:

​The horse will require great ability to flex the joints and come under the center of gravity for collection and extension. Therefore: A long fore arm and short cannon bone creates ease in doing lateral movements and increases length of stride. The forearm should be at least half the length of the shoulder. Short cannons contribute to general strength and weight carrying ability. Limbs: continued Tendons and joints to be clearly defined (dry) . The length of the rear cannon and gaskin will determine of length of stride from the rear. A pastern that is too long will increase the susceptibility to Suspensory ligament injuries. Ideally the hock should be as close as possible, in alignment with the knee, not higher than and about level with the chestnuts. A horse that is camped out behind (out the back door) may not be able to collect. Sickle hocks limit propulsion. The stifle should be slightly lower than the elbow and lie below the point of the hip. When the foreleg is viewed from the side, the plumb line dropped from the center point of the elbow should pass through the middle of the knee, cannon and fetlock and touch the ground directly behind the heels. From the front, a line dropped vertically from the point of the shoulder should bisect the limb equally as it passes through each bone, joint and hoof. The hindquarter, when viewed from behind, a plumb line from the point of the buttock should bisect the leg in two even halves. The hindquarter, when viewed from behind should be straight from buttock to hoof. Both hips must be even. Gaskin to be relatively long and well muscled viewed from the back and the side. Good length from point of hip to point of buttock Good length from stifle to point of hock Large dry hocks. The angulation of the hock should be neither too straight nor too closed (acute) Low set hocks, Well-set on tail to be carried high.