Principles Of Conformation Analysis Volume I (Volume 1)

by Deb Bennett

This book provides new insights into equine structure and its effects on movement, soundness and performance; offers guidelines to examine the suitability of horses for various activities; explores the relationship of various body parts and how they work together.

Genres: Horses

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Dr. Deb Bennett is a 1984 graduate of the University of Kansas, and until 1992 was on the staff of the Smithsonian Institution. Her degree is in Vertebrate Paleontology, which emphasizes the anatomy and biomechanics of fossil animals. Dr. Bennett is known as an authority on the classification, evolution, anatomy, and biomechanics of fossil and living horses. Her research interests also include the history of domestication and of individual horse breeds. She teaches unique equine anatomy short-courses and anatomy-based horsemanship clinics designed primarily for owners, trainers, therapists, and breeders.

Internationally known for her work in horse conformation, "Dr. Deb" has made a career out of conveying a kind of "X-ray vision" for bone structure to breeders and buyers. Her background in biomechanics allows her to clearly explain how horse conformation relates to performance ability. Dr. Deb's clinics often involve the use of real bones and interesting biomechanical models.



Unusual in another regard, Dr. Deb doesn't confine her work to the chalkboard, but rides and works with horses herself, having shown in almost every division of competition. In this area, Dr. Deb is a universalist, constantly reminding students that the cut of a person's hat matters not one whit to a horse. Riding clubs and organizations across the continent and around the world have enjoyed and benefited from her clinics: Arabians, sporthorses, endurance, Morgans, Pasos, Saddlebreds, Warmbloods, Quarter Horses - you name it - for she is remarkably conversant with the needs and problems of many breeds. Practical problem-solving is always a focus, whether it's stabilizing a paso llano, picking up a canter lead, or achieving flying changes, extended trot, or lateral work. Dr. Deb's goals for your horse are the same as for her own: to be athletically competent, sound, happy, confident, long-lived and free-moving.

For the past 20 years, Dr. Deb has been a consulting editor and frequent contributor to Equus Magazine, and also regularly writes for the Journal of Equine Dentistry and The Eclectic Horseman. Over a long career, she has also been invited to write for almost every other equestrian publication in North America. Dr. Bennett backs this up with a long list of technical publications. You can directly link to this site by clicking here: http://www.equinestudies.org/knowledg...

She is a major contributor to the "Elsevier Encyclopedia of Animal Science" and the Smithsonian Institution's "Seeds of Change" volume. She is the author of two major works -- "Conquerors: A History of Horsemanship in the Western Hemisphere," and "The Birdie Book: An Internal Geography of Horse and Rider." Dr. Deb founded the Equine Studies Institute in 1992. She resides in California but is frequently "on the road" teaching in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the U.S.

Reviews

[Kerry Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

In depth explanation to make you understand how the horse really works. Very good read.

[H.orses · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books offers more then just what to look for and what not to look for in a good riding horse, but also really shows you how a horse works. I also think that every horse-person should know how the horse evolved. Does anyone know what animal was the first to evolve and be able to run in a coordinated straight line? I'll give you a hint- Its not a horse! Ha! This book also goes into what I usually call "the ring of muscles" that a lot of equestrians don't know about yet that is crucial for Dressage and training. It shows what muscles even bare weight; Horses were never meant to carry anything!! Its a very insightful little book that I would recommend for any equestrian, even though I've learned in my own studies that confirmation defaults can easily be fixed by releasing a muscle.

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and well worth the read.

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