Structure Versus Function: Rethinking “Conformation”
Structure Versus Function: Rethinking “Conformation”
Posted on December 14, 2016
by Shantel Perreal
The term I’m referring to is conformation.
If we turn to the Oxford Dictionary for a definition, it states: Noun
The shape or structure of something, especially an animal:
“Judges run their hands over the dog’s body and legs, checking its conformation.”
Conformation is something that cannot be altered. This includes aspects like the length of the back, the angle at which the neck rises from the body, the length of the bones, and the angles at which these bones meet at the joints. This is known as Structural Conformation.
On the other hand, anything else that can change over time is considered a functional compensation—and don’t forget, compensation isn’t necessarily negative. These compensations often result from factors like the horse's exercise regimen, the rider’s abilities, its environment, or past injuries.
The majority of the traits we observe in horses fall into the category of functional compensation.
Some common examples of “conformation issues” that are actually compensations include:
Ewe Neck – A condition where the C7 and T1 vertebrae "sink" due to repeated head and neck inversion and the hollowing of the back.
Hunter's Bump – A situation where the sacrum tips forward, causing a compensatory drop in L6 and a rise in L5–L1 to create a visible bump.
Toeing In or Out – While poor farrier work can contribute, this is often related to muscle imbalances, where some muscles are overworked, and others are underused.
Sway Back – While it can be congenital, sway back is typically a functional compensation, often due to muscle imbalance or a previous injury.
To draw a parallel, think of scoliosis in humans: while it can be structural, it’s more often functional and can often be reversed with proper rehabilitation.
When evaluating a horse—whether as a therapist, trainer, instructor, or potential buyer—our goal is to distinguish what aspects of its body are unchangeable. These might include the length of the back, the angles of the pasterns, the size of the pelvis, and the angle at which the femur connects to it. These are elements of Structural Conformation, which are inherent to the horse’s breed, such as the differences between a Quarter Horse and a Saddlebred or a Draft Horse and an Arabian.
Once we’ve identified what can’t be changed, we shift our focus to what can be improved. This includes the functional compensations that we can address through targeted therapy, training, or rehabilitation. To do this effectively requires a trained eye, a keen feel, and a solid understanding of the horse's physiology and working anatomy. In our field as Equine Remedial Therapists, we assess which muscles are being overused, which ones aren’t engaged at all, and whether there are injuries or scar tissue that could be restricting movement. We also consider whether the horse is being asked to move correctly and whether its feet are balanced.
But here’s the twist—structure and function are deeply interconnected.
Structure = Function AND Function = Structure.
What does that even mean? We’re currently developing a short video series to help you identify the difference between structure and function in equine anatomy. Our goal is to help you train your eye and better understand these concepts with ease.
Have questions or want to share your thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment! We love hearing from you.
The term I’m referring to is conformation.
If we turn to the Oxford Dictionary for a definition, it states: Noun
“Judges run their hands over the dog’s body and legs, checking its conformation.”
Conformation is something that cannot be altered. This includes aspects like the length of the back, the angle at which the neck rises from the body, the length of the bones, and the angles at which these bones meet at the joints. This is known as Structural Conformation.
On the other hand, anything else that can change over time is considered a functional compensation—and don’t forget, compensation isn’t necessarily negative. These compensations often result from factors like the horse's exercise regimen, the rider’s abilities, its environment, or past injuries.
The majority of the traits we observe in horses fall into the category of functional compensation.
Some common examples of “conformation issues” that are actually compensations include:
Hunter's Bump – A situation where the sacrum tips forward, causing a compensatory drop in L6 and a rise in L5–L1 to create a visible bump.
Toeing In or Out – While poor farrier work can contribute, this is often related to muscle imbalances, where some muscles are overworked, and others are underused.
Sway Back – While it can be congenital, sway back is typically a functional compensation, often due to muscle imbalance or a previous injury.
To draw a parallel, think of scoliosis in humans: while it can be structural, it’s more often functional and can often be reversed with proper rehabilitation.
When evaluating a horse—whether as a therapist, trainer, instructor, or potential buyer—our goal is to distinguish what aspects of its body are unchangeable. These might include the length of the back, the angles of the pasterns, the size of the pelvis, and the angle at which the femur connects to it. These are elements of Structural Conformation, which are inherent to the horse’s breed, such as the differences between a Quarter Horse and a Saddlebred or a Draft Horse and an Arabian.
Once we’ve identified what can’t be changed, we shift our focus to what can be improved. This includes the functional compensations that we can address through targeted therapy, training, or rehabilitation. To do this effectively requires a trained eye, a keen feel, and a solid understanding of the horse's physiology and working anatomy. In our field as Equine Remedial Therapists, we assess which muscles are being overused, which ones aren’t engaged at all, and whether there are injuries or scar tissue that could be restricting movement. We also consider whether the horse is being asked to move correctly and whether its feet are balanced.
But here’s the twist—structure and function are deeply interconnected.
Structure = Function AND Function = Structure.
What does that even mean? We’re currently developing a short video series to help you identify the difference between structure and function in equine anatomy. Our goal is to help you train your eye and better understand these concepts with ease.
Have questions or want to share your thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment! We love hearing from you.