How to Judge Geldings Using Diagrams

Horse judging is a rather straightforward process, since it is made on a direct observation basis. Horse lovers who spend a great deal of time with horses, and favor a particular breed in general, tend to become students on particular breeds. Studying every aspect of a horse, and becoming aware of what to look for to differentiate a top horse from a flawed one, is what makes an excellent judge. When examining a gelding, these judges usually use a diagram of the animal they are assessing to pull together a final analysis of its overall quality.

Instructions

    • 1

      Master the basic skills necessary for judging horses. Be familiar with the breed, and know it inside out. Know the criteria used to judge geldings, so you know what to concentrate on to make a respectable conclusion. Be able to identify conformational issues, by already knowing what the ideal standard for that breed is.

    • 2
      Horse diagrams furnish the judge with the critical areas of the horse to be judged.

      Study the diagram sheet and fill in the listed details one at a time while carefully observing the gelding. Take each part of the horse diagram on the sheet and make honest, objective observations. Make notes on any particular points you notice for later reference if needed.

    • 3

      Use the order of the evaluation sheet to work your way through the judging process. Start your judging process by the first aspect or characteristic of the gelding listed. Note and fill in the spaces beside the color and face markings, if that is the first item on the sheet.

    • 4
      Balance is the most important but difficult score to assign for most judges.

      Move next the body of the horse, which is usually the next aspect to be considered. Examine the gelding for balance at a distance of 20 to 30 feet, with sheet in hand. Consider the six parts: neck, shoulder, heart girth, top line, back and hip, which go into the overall balance evaluation.

    • 5

      Draw three circles from left to right on the horse body diagram of your sheet as main points of reference. Start the first one at the shoulder and go to include the heart girth. Draw another beginning to the right of the heart girth to the flank, and a third to include the flank and buttocks area.

    • 6
      Using appropritately drawn circles will at least break the horse into three parts for more careful scrutiny.

      Compare the three circles. Look for any variance in the size of the circles. Study the circle differences to point you to the area(s) that need closer scrutiny. Examine carefully the smaller and larger circles to find balance issues.

    • 7

      Consider the legs next. Break them into four categories: front legs--front, left side, right side and rear view; and rear legs--front, left side, right side and rear view. Look for straight, sound lines. Pay particular attention to any hip and knee crookedness. Assess feet irregularities by examining the straightness of the hoof path. Look for splay/winging or pigeon-toed/padding patterns.

    • 8
      Other score card formats will work equally well.

      Divide a sheet of paper into four sections by making a vertical line down the middle and a horizontal line across the middle. Rank the geldings that you have graded 1 through 4, with 1 being the best all around, in descending order, with notes to explain each ranking. Fill in all four areas of the sheet, in the same way, for each class of horse judged.