PhotosForReg

Taking pictures of your horse for registration can seem like a daunting
process. These photographs are used to visually inspect your horse using a
set list of criteria for the breed. Conformation is the fore-most consideration
that KHAR inspectors examine.

Conformation: The Kiger horse should ideally be correct in its overall
structure. The conformation of your Kiger impacts how useful a horse is
for pleasure riding. For example, a short, steep shoulder causes a shorten,
choppy stride that is uncomfortable to ride. Each conformation
characteristic of your horse (from his head to his hooves) are weighted
against the KHAR inspection sheet. The amount of deviation from the ideal
has a set amount of points. A severely posty rear leg set will have higher
points deducted than a horse that is only slightly posty in the rear. (Posty is
the lack of angulation in the hock).

The last thing evaluated is the horse's breed type. Breed type is those
characteristics that set a Kiger apart from another breed, such as Norwegian
Fjord or Quarter Horse. Breed Type includes physical conformation that is
specifically Kiger as well as more generalized traits such as Dun Factor.

So, keep in mind that your horse will be evaluated when KHAR inspectors
view your submitted photos. Here are some tips for getting good pictures:

1) Don't take pictures in the shade or have a shadow cast across your horse.

2) Make sure your horse is standing on level ground.

3) Make sure your horse has his feet underneath himself and standing
square.

4) Your horse must be standing relatively. Trotting or running pictures
don't help your horse score higher.

5) Make sure that your horse's hooves are visible in the photographs (no
deep grass or mud). We recommend a clean, dry, flat surface for posing
your horse.

6) Close ups of your horse's dun factor are always recommended.

7) Make sure that your horse nearly fills the entire view (a distant horse
standing in the field doesn't help our inspectors)

8) You can always include more photos then the required amount.

9) Do not use cosmetics or other colorants to change or enhance his colors.

10) You must include a photograph of the dorsal. Dorsals can be difficult
to photograph. Most people perch on a secure gate or fence line to elevate
themselves to capture the entire dorsal. Be sure that you can see on the
photo where the dorsal enters into the mane and tail...this might require
more than one photo to accomplish this.

DON'T DO "LIBERTY" PHOTOS

Inspectors must evaluate your horse based on the photos that you submit. Is this horses rear
legs really like that or did she position herself that way to eat? Our inspectors cannot assume
her legs are fine. Rear leg conformation affects the horses 'way of going', rear legs propel
the horse forward. Improper angulation in the rear legs can lead to undue strain to bones
and joints during riding and competition. Our inspectors are not only looking for proper Kiger
characteristics but proper saddle horse conformation.

Only exception would be for newly adopted horses that are still not use to being handled. We
are currently developing a page of hints for taking pictures of your newly adopted Kiger.

DO "SET-UP" YOUR HORSE

While we don't necessary want you to placing your horses feet square, we do want you to
present your horse at its best. Head up, alert, legs in natural position on level ground. For
best results, a side picture should be taken exactly perpendicular to the horse. Aim your
camera for about where the cinch area of the horse is. The horse should fill up most of the
print.

Our inspectors need to be able to determine your horses conformation, from the angle of the
pasterns to the angle of the shoulder and all points inbetween. We need to determine if your
horse is balanced. Is the neck too long, too short? Is the back too long or too short? Is your
horse 'over at the knee', sickle hocked, or posty in the rear leg.