Figure L4
The Working Equitation Horse
What to Look for — A Labelled Functional Profile
One horse, standing in profile on level ground, unsaddled. Four things to look for, each one marked where it is read on the horse in front of you.
A bay horse standing in left profile, unsaddled, on level ground, with no rider and no tack. 1 2 3 3 4 4
A mind that stays with you when something changes. One caution A raised outline is not the same thing as self-carriage. A horse can carry its neck high and still be travelling on its forehand with the hind legs trailing. What tells you the truth is whether the horse stays active behind and stable through transitions. Room to carry Hind joints that can flex, and a back that lets the movement through. Three regular paces Look for a walk that keeps four clear beats, a trot that keeps two even diagonal beats and a canter that keeps three.
One  ·  the head and the eye
A mind that stays with you
when something changes.
Two  ·  the raised neck
One caution
A raised outline is not the same thing as self-carriage. A horse can carry its neck high and still be travelling on its forehand with the hind legs trailing. What tells you the truth is whether the horse stays active behind and stable through transitions.
Three  ·  the back and the hock
Room to carry
Hind joints that can flex, and a back that lets the movement through.
Four  ·  the feet on the ground
Three regular paces
Look for a walk that keeps four clear beats, a trot that keeps two even diagonal beats and a canter that keeps three.

Suitability depends more on function than breed. No breed is named here, because none is required.

Fig. L4  ·  What to Look for — A Labelled Functional Profile