Judging Horses 101 - University of Idaho Extension

Judging Horses 101By Amanda Kumiko Kent and Cindy A. KinderPhoto by Donna GillespieAnimal SelectionTerms & TransitionsNote TakingOral Reasons Format

Below is what should be listed in your note page.Top Pair – yellow highlighted sections are to be said for the top pair.Middle Pair – grey highlighted sections are to be said for the middle pair.Bottom Pair – blue highlighted sections are to be said for the bottom pair.# of Animal Grant (Good) Criticize (Bad) Compare (Good)Opening statementsay why 1st placeanimal wins the class.Say any bad qualitiesof the 1st placeanimal. (optional)Say why 1st placeanimal beats 2ndplace animal bystating the goodqualities of 1st placeSay the good qualitiesof the 2nd placeanimal over the 1stplace animal.Say the good qualitiesof the 3rd placeanimal over the 2ndplace animal.Say the good qualitiesof the 4th place animalover the 3rd placeanimal.List why the 2nd placeanimal does not winthe class. (badqualities)Say why the 3rd placeanimal is 3rd. (badqualities)Say why the 4th placeanimal is last.animal.Say why 2nd placeanimal beats 3rd placeanimal by stating onlythe good qualities ofthe 2nd place animal.List why 3rd placeanimal beats 4th placeanimal by stating onlythe good qualities ofthe 3rd place animal.Tips for Effective Reasons Note taking and Reasons.1. Don’t start taking your notes until you have placed the class and written down your placing.2. Try to be general in the terms that you use to describe the animal in each box, but write as much as possibleto describe the animal. You will have time to be descriptive with the terms that you use when you prepare todeliver your oral reasons.3. Don’t forget to write down an ID point and sex, if needed, for each animal.4. Be sure to use the correct sex of the animal in classes that are of mixed sex and use your ID points whendescribing the animals.5. Use the time during non reasons classes to look back at your notes and prepare your reasons or completeyour notes.

Feet and LegsGoodSet squarer on feet and legsWider in frontHigher quality of boneCleaner/flatter boneLarger, rounder footActionGoodMoves out freer and easierMoves truer behindShows more flexion in knees and hocksLonger, farther reaching strideLighter on the forehandBadStands too close in front/behind, stands too wide in front/behindPinched between front legs, knock knee; sickle hock, straight hockCamped under, camped out; calf-kneed, buck kneed, knee sprungBog spavin, thorough pinBase-narrowLacks substance of bone, coarse boneSplints, ringbone, sidebone capped elbow, wind puffsToe crack, seedy toe, club footBadChoppy stridePaddles in front/behindLameForgesHeavy on the forehandUnsoundness vs. BlemishUnsoundness: Affects or has the potential to affect the performance and usability of thehorse. (Example; Ringbone, pigeon-toed, founder, hoof cracks)Blemish: Affects the appearance, but not the performance of the horse. (Example; Scars)Connective TermsGrantsI realizeI admitI agreeI sawAction WordsExhibitedDisplayedShowedPresentedTransitional TermsPlusBesidesAlsoOpening PairsComing to the bottom pairMoving toIn closing I preferred toIn the top pair

Your Notes and Thoughts

4-H Livestock & Horse JudgingTeaching Youth Life SkillsLeadershipTeamworkSelf-motivationMarketable skillsCritical thinkingProblem solvingDecision makingCommunicationSelf EsteemCharacterSelf responsibility