Ridecamp: Re: [RC] "three-circle horse" / conformation analysis

> What does the term "three-circle horse" mean?  Is there a photo
> of Rio on-line so I can see what you mean?

Maybe someone else knows of a good side shot of Rio on-line--I've never
particularly looked, as I know what he looks like in person.

As to the three-circle concept--it refers to the fact that when one looks at
a well-balanced body, where there is sufficient lay-back of shoulder and
sufficient length and depth of hip to match the back, one can draw three
imaginary circles on the horse, one in the shoulder area, one in the barrel
area, and one in the hip area, and all three will be round and equal.  I've
heard of people refer to horses whose backs are supposedly too short, who
have suggested that a longer back/body is needed in order to have a flexible
horse.  IF the hip and shoulder are adequate, this does not happen--these
allegedly "short-backed" horses are simply short all over, so that their
"circles" are more like upright ovals.  Given a properly proportioned
"three-circle" horse, the back is indeed quite short itself but the
underline is considerably longer, as some of a proper underline is actually
under the "shoulder circle" and the "hip circle" if you can visualize that.

Heidi


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