Arabian Horse Judging Criteria

Judging show horses, like any competitive field, can come down to the most minute detail. Owners groom a show animal from birth in hopes of presenting an image of perfection at the moment of competition. Certain qualities are paramount when evaluating Arabian horses. Judges study and critique every aspect of the animal, from its natural appearance to its trained behavior. The specific qualities that judges assess fall into four primary categories.

  1. Appearance

    • Judges consider a horse's physical attributes first. This is the category that the breeder or trainer has the least control over. A horse's appearance is largely dictated by genetics and chance. The balance and symmetry of the animal's features are key. Judges look for certain head, muzzle, body and leg proportions. They also consider the fullness or depth of certain features such as padding around the eyes or in the jowls. The qualities of the hair -- its texture and mere presence in certain areas that should be hairless -- are also significant. While diet and physical activity may dictate some of these qualities, this is the area in which the animal's lineage is most critical. Scandal has erupted in the show horse community when breeders have resorted to plastic surgery to enhance their horse's features. If someone can prove an owner cosmetically augmented a horse's appearance, it is grounds for immediate disqualification from competition.

    Grooming

    • Grooming is another category in which an Arabian competes. The rules for each competition dictate what is and is not allowed in terms of show presentation. Handlers have a minimal amount of freedom in this area. Typically, it does not affect scoring if the groomer braids the mane. Horseshoes must be within a certain range of fit to receive high marks. As with surgical augmentation, attempts to alter a horse's appearance are grounds for dismissal. Dying the tail or mane or adding extensions is strictly forbidden.

    Behavior

    • A horse's behavior during judging is key. Though genetic predisposition may dictate a horse's personality to some degree, the burden of these qualities falls on the handler. Judges watch horses with an eagle eye looking for which specimen most readily behaves in the competition environment, follows the handler's commands, and conducts itself confidently in contact with people or other horses. Even the animal's mood is open to scrutiny. Seemingly grumpy or disinterested horses score lower than congenial, engaged competitors.

    Gait and Movement

    • The horse's gait -- the way its legs move when it walks and runs -- is a critical quality on which judges score the animal. Judges watch each horse's feet to see if its limbs and hooves move fluidly and in unison, or if they come together in an off-beat, uncoordinated fashion. Horses must demonstrate their physical skill set in a series of walking, running and jumping maneuvers. The horse that moves with the most fluidity will score the highest.