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AMHA

Stock Type Division 

Stock Type Classes - Judging  Criteria

GENERAL IMPRESSION - An attractive horse where everything is proportionate and all parts tie in smoothly.  All gaits are smooth and purposeful exhibiting natural athleticism.  Horses are judged on balance, structural correctness and sex characteristics. Of these, balance is the most important.

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STANCE - The American Miniature Horse Association’s Stock Type Horse normally stands at ease with his legs perpendicular to the ground and parallel with each other. The horse should exhibit a balanced stance and stand on the corners of his body, as opposed to being spread too far apart or crowded too close together, or parked out. 

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HEAD - The head of an AMHA Stock Type Horse reflects inquisitive intelligence. He has a short, broad head that is straight or slightly dished topped by small to medium ears hooked towards the center line at the tips; kind wide-set eyes; large nostrils; small muzzle, and firm mouth.  A domed forehead is a fault.

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BITE - When viewed from the side, the meeting point of the center incisor teeth should be equal and even.  A deviation of no more than half the width of the tooth’s surface is permissible without fault.

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NECK - The head of the AMHA Stock Type Horse joins the neck at a roughly 45-degree angle, with a slender throatlatch allowing him to move easily in any direction while maintaining his balance. The medium to long neck should be slightly arched and blend smoothly into sloping shoulders.

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SHOULDERS - The AMHA Stock Type Horse’s short strong back is created by deep sloping shoulders tying in well back.

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CHEST & FORELEGS - As demonstrated by the heart girth and relatively wide-set forelegs, the AMHA Stock Type Horse is deep and broad in the chest. Smooth joints and short cannon bones are set on clean fetlocks and medium length pasterns are supported by healthy hooves. The forearm tapers to the knee, whether viewed from the front or back.

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BACK - The short back of the AMHA Stock Type Horse is full and strong across the loins. The barrel is formed by deep, well sprung ribs which extend to the hip joints. The underline, or abdominal area, should rise cleanly to the flank.  The point of the croup should be no higher than the top of the withers. The tail is set off a long, rounded croup. 

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HINDQUARTERS - Viewed from either side or the rear, the hindquarters are broad, deep and adequately muscled through the thigh, stifle and gaskin down to the hock. When viewed from the rear, there is adequate width extending evenly from the top of the thigh to the gaskin. The hocks are wide set, deep and straight.

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BONES, LEGS & HOOVES - Flat, strong bones, smooth joints and proper angulations form a leg that is attractive and functional. The hooves are proportionate to overall conformation.

 

MUSCLING - The AMHA Stock Type Horse should have muscling adequate to function, but is not a heavily muscled breed.  Overly heavy muscling is a fault.

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MOTION - Stock Type horses track straight and true with a ground covering motion.  At all times they should appear confident, balanced and athletic.  Excessive knee and/or hock action is a fault and will be penalized.

CRITERIA & STYLE

  1. Stock Type horses will be shown in a stock horse manner with the horse standing still, calm and square. 

  2. The handler should stand towards the left side of the horse’s center line, more or less facing horse.

  3. Stock type/western show halters will be the accepted standard. At local shows a clean/new nylon halter will suffice. An Arabian type halter is unacceptable and will result in a disqualification.

  4. Leads may have chains, but chains may only go under chin and not over the nose or in the mouth.

  5. Razoring of heads is prohibited and cause for disqualification.  Clipping is permitted.

  6. Banding or braiding of manes is prohibited.

  7. Pulled, overcut or undercut manes are acceptable.

  8. Manes should be natural looking and of moderate length.

  9. Tails must be off the ground or be disqualified.

  10. Exhibitor may use an empty hand, or the hand holding the lead only to engage the horse's interest or enhance their expression. Stretching, baiting (enticing horse with any body part, equipment, or material) and excessive jerking or harsh use of the lead line to be viewed as a negtive towards presentation. 

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REQUIREMENTS

  1. A horse may not show in more than one type of halter classes at any show with the exception of color and/or Special Needs. classes. 

  2. There will be no instances of halter competition between horses representing Stock Type and the other classes such as Supreme champion classes. Versatility is considered a performance class, and this does not apply. Stock Horses showing in Versatility MUST wear Stock Type/Western show halters.

  3. Handler's attire must include western hat, long sleeved shirt or jacket, and western footwear or be disqualified.

  4. Current halter ring pattern will be used for stock classes.

Our Association > About AMHA > Stock Type Division

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