I have read about 'balanced' horses and am trying to develop my eye for judging conformation. A while back I came across Jeva Farms, a breeder of Straight Egyptians with the stallion Odysseus HF (a grandson of Ansata Shah Zaman & TheEgyptianPrince). Their website lists a partial herd dispersement (not affiliated with them or their horses).

Located on the linked page above is this graphic overlay on Odysseus HF:

But when standing next to a horse or looking at pictures, my mind doesn't readily see the diamond/square overlay.

Today while trying to locate an AQHA farm in Ocala, FL (I met the owner while at a client's house fixing computers yesterday), I came across the QH Website www.DanMcWhirter.com with this blurb & article link:

Designer Genes
For an example of our Designer Genes in action, check out this most recent story in The American Quarter Horse Journal. The Trapezoid, by Christine Hamilton.

This is a partial screenshot from the linked pdf article


Would this 'proper' proportioning apply to all breeds or at least Arabians too? OR do they vivisect/divide at different points because they're breeding to a different standard?
I think my mind's eye could picture this simpler ratio overlay easier than the first example.
What do you think? (Thank you for your assistance).
Ann

I've never seen the trapezoid before, but I have divided the horse (Arabians) into thirds. Especially when looking at a picture or at the actual horse. I usually draw ovals from the chest encompasing the wither, from back of wither to front of hip, and from hip back. All of the ovals should be equal for perfect balance. I can never do the diamond thing either.

Continuing on my path of learning <g>, I came across a nicely written article with additional charts & explanations. Although focused on the the needs of the running Arabian, based on the success of the Polish lines in the top end English divisions, I believe it has merit for those breeding for correct athletic Arabians.

The German website (Arabian-WesternHorses.com) has this disclaimer below, which I agree with in regards to copyright issues.
The following are articles that have been copied here are from Arabian Finish Line Magazine, November 1997, December 1997, and January 1998 issues; from the monthly column "FROM WHERE I STAND" by Rick Augustine. No copyright infringement is intended, as this is placed here strictly for educational purposes for all horse owners, free for the viewing. The article, titled "Building A Runner" (from the 11/97 & 12/97 issues) will be presented here as "Part One" and "Part Two". The third article was a separate but complimentary article to the previous articles, and is entitled "Getting a Leg Up on the Competition". It is my hope that you find these articles as helpful and informative as I did...
Where is the value of this information wasting away on a few bookcases or decomposing in a landfill...SHARE what you know (or have discovered!)

Arabian Horse Conformation: Form to Function
"Building a Runner" by Rick Augustine Parts One & Two. The article goes into depth about what the overlay is useful for discerning

as well as several examples and explanation regarding poor balance & conformation

I don't see the link for the "Getting a Leg Up on the Competition" article, but if/when I find it I intend to include it.
The German site owner is no longer 'in' to the Arabian breed, hopefully the information he has assembled will remain available for new & future breeders interested in developing their conformation critiquing skills (like me <g>).

Also included on this site are the articles:
Genetics in the arabian horse By Kathleen Murphy - Bio-chemist and horsewoman, written in 1992 (possibly previously mentioned in another post)
THE ARABIAN HORSE a survey by PRINCE A.G. SHERBATOV and COUNT S.A. STROGANOV ~ A description from the 19th century of the Arabian Horse as it was then...
(translated by GI Vasslltchikov; foreword by The Earl of Lytton; preface by CC Pearson; introduction by PJ Gazder)
Bloodline classification Author unknown
Witez II article AHW June 2000 (author unlisted)
RONTEZA AND SHEILA AT THE COW PALACE by Sheila Varian (this one I'll have to cross post in the Polish Foundation Breeders thread from this spring...)
Bask article AHW June 2000 (author unlisted)

Can ya' tell I don't watch much TV!! I find research MUCH more interesting