It has been said that 'equine conformation evaluates the degree of correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature and its body proportions in relation to each other.' This is undeniable, but there is remarkably little information in published literature regarding the importance of the position of the head, despite the fact that this has a direct effect on balance, posture and subsequent performance.

The horse is documented as a prey species and as such retains, despite domestication, ares of hyper-sensitivity in loins, abdominal tunic, and poll; pain experienced in any of these areas, no matter the cause, gives you a rise to an immediate fright, flight and/or flight response.