Aged Quarter Horse Geldings

Evaluate and place these aged Quarter Horse geldings. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge’s.

WHEN ADDRESSING a horse’s form to function, balance is the most important criteria. He should divide into even thirds from shoulder to hip, and be level from his withers to the point of his croup. Ideally, the distance from his withers to the bottom of his heartgirth and from the bottom of his heartgirth to the ground will match for the best heart-lung capacity.

A strong, sloping shoulder is crucial to smooth, reaching movement. The neck balances his body when moving, and should tie into the chest high to allow him to lift his head and better use his front end. A trim throatlatch allows the flexion he’ll need to give his head to the rider.

His legs should be free of swelling. In his hind legs, a plumb line starting at the point of the buttock should drop through the hock, cannon bone, and fetlock. A similar plumb line should drop through the front leg column with his knees centered on his cannon bones. Front and hind pasterns should sit at a 45- or 50-degree angle in front of the fetlock.

Gelding C