| What is the AHIP? | Evaluation of light horses | Evaluation of draft horses | Conformation evaluation | Performance evaluation | Participation eligibility | Who to contact for more information
AHIP Results
What is the AHIP?
The Alberta Horse Improvement Program (AHIP) is a systematic evaluation of horses bred in Alberta, with the aim of identifying superior animals within each breed. The evaluation focuses on form (conformation) as it relates to function (performance), with strong emphasis on the athletic ability of the horse.
The objectives of the AHIP are to:
- Improve the quality of Alberta-bred horses.
- Identify and advertise the superior horses and breeders in the province.
- Establish markets for Alberta-bred horses.
AHIP evaluations are scheduled each year and are coordinated by a committee of representatives from participating breed associations and the Horse Industry Section of Alberta Agriculture. Depending on age and breed, horses will be evaluated in conformation or performance classes. All breeders are encouraged to submit their Alberta-bred horses for evaluation during the annual event.
Evaluation of Light Horses
Light horses may be evaluated from one to five years of age.
Conformation classes for light horses:
Yearling and two-year old light horses will be evaluated based on their conformation by three evaluators. Conformation will be assessed using the Alberta Horse Evaluation System (Conformation Evaluation).
Performance classes for light horses:
Three-, four- and five-year old light horses will be evaluated based on a combination of conformation and performance. Conformation will be assessed using the Alberta Horse Evaluation System (Conformation Evaluation). Performance will be evaluated as the horse completes a pattern made up of basic maneuvers while being ridden or driven (Performance Evaluation). The final score will be based on 75% performance and 25% conformation.
Classification of light horses:
Light horses will be classified based on their evaluation scores. Horses that receive an evaluation score of 75 to 84 are classified as "Classic" Alberta-bred horses. Horses that receive an evaluation score of 85 or greater are classified as "Premium" Alberta-bred horses. Any horse receiving a "Classic" or "Premium" evaluation as a yearling and two-year old, and a "Premium" performance evaluation as a three-, four- or five-year old, will be designated as a "Supreme" Alberta-bred horse.
Evaluation of Draft Horses
Draft horses may be evaluated from one to four years of age.
Conformation classes for draft horses:
Draft horses from one to four years of age will be evaluated for conformation by three evaluators. The final score will be determined by consensus evaluation. Conformation will be assessed using the Alberta Horse Evaluation System (Conformation Evaluation).
Performance classes for draft horses:
At this time, draft horses are not evaluated for performance.
Classification of draft horses:
Draft horses will be classified based on their evaluation scores. Horses that receive an evaluation score of 75 to 84 are classified as "Classic" Alberta-bred horses. Horses that receive an evaluation score of 85 or greater are classified as "Premium" Alberta-bred Horses. Any horse receiving a "Classic" or "Premium" evaluation as a yearling and two-year old, and a "Premium" evaluation as a three- or four-year old will be designated as a "Supreme" Alberta-bred horse.
Conformation Evaluation
Each horse's conformation will be evaluated using the Alberta Horse Evaluation System, developed by the Horse Industry Section of Alberta Agriculture.
Using this System, the conformation of horses will be scored in each of the five categories:
The maximum score in each of the five categories is 20 points. Scores of 18 or higher are considered excellent and indicate the breeder is approaching the ideal. Scores of 15 to 17 are considered good and reflect that little is wrong, but there is room for improvement. Scores of 12 to 14 are considered fair and indicate the faults present do not greatly affect usefulness, but will greatly reduce value. Scores of 9 to 11 are considered poor and suggest that faults are serious enough to affect the horse's usefulness, soundness and marketability. If a horse scores less than 10 in any category the horse will not be eligible for classification.
Front limbs (20 points):
Evaluators appraise the front feet, front legs, knees and shoulder from the front and side as the horse walks, trots and stands.
A score of 18 to 20 is assigned to horses that move and stand straight and have exceptional bone, short cannon bones, long forearm and a long sloping shoulder. Horses will score 15 to 17 when they possess minor conformation faults that do not normally lead to unsoundness. A score of 12 to 14 indicates the horse has faults that may not greatly affect soundness, but may limit performance. A score of 9 to 11 indicates that major conformation faults exist.
Front limb faults
- Toe in or out
- Winging or paddling
- Upright pastern
- Straight shoulder
- Base narrow or base wide
- Tied-in behind
- Calf-knees or offset knees
- Contracted heels
- Small feet
- Club foot
- Fine bone
Hind limbs (20 points):
Evaluators appraise the hind feet, hind legs, hocks, gaskin and hip from the side and back while the horse walks, trots and stands.
A score of 18 to 20 indicates the horse moves or stands straight, has exceptional bone, muscle and form to function. A horse that scores 15 to 17 has minor conformation faults that would not normally lead to unsoundness or limit performance. Horses that score 12 to 14 possess faults that may not affect soundness, but may limit performance. A score of 9 to 11 indicates the horse has major conformation faults that affect the horse's soundness and performance.
Hind limb faults
- Coon-footed
- Post-legged
- Camped behind
- Cow-hocked or Sickle hocked
- Toe in or out
- Small feet
- Bandy-legged
- Lack of muscle
Head, neck, body and balance (20 points):
Evaluators appraise the head, neck, body and balance of the horse during movement and while standing. Balance refers to the body proportions.
A score of 18 to 20 indicates the horse has exceptional balance and characteristics of the breed. A score of 15 to 17 indicates the horse possesses some minor faults. Horses will score 12 to 14 when conformation faults become more exaggerated, thus limiting performance. A score of 9 to 11 indicates the horse has a combination of faults that would make the horse potentially unusable.
Head, neck, body and balance faults
- Long head
- Roman nose
- Pig eyes
- Thick throatlatch
- Ewe neck, Cresty neck, Thick neck, Short neck
- Improper angulation
- Long back
- Shallow girth
- Goose rump
- High tail set
Athletic movement (20 points):
Evaluators will appraise the athletic movement while the horse trots.
Athletic movement will be assessed using four components:
1. Length of stride
2. Rhythm
3. Lightness
4. Impulsion
Length of stride is the distance the horse moves while one foot (any foot) is off the ground. Rhythm refers to how well each foot moves in balance and time with each of the other feet. Lightness is a coordination of stride and rhythm so that movement appears to take minimum effort. Impulsion is the use of the hind quarters to provide momentum to the movement.
Horses with a long stride, excellent rhythm, lightness and impulsion will score 18 to 20. A score of 15 to 17 indicates the horse is slightly deficient in one or two components, but overall movement is good. Horses scoring 12 to 14 would have at least one undesirable movement trait or be somewhat deficient in all components. A score of 9 to 11 indicates the horse has an excessively short, choppy stride, lacks rhythm, or is a heavy mover with no impulsion.
Type (20 points):
Evaluators will appraise the horse's type while the horse is standing. Evaluation of type is based on overall eye appeal and how the horse represents the characteristics and standards of the particular breed.
A score of 18 to 20 indicates the horse shows refinement, presence, fitness, ideal size and athletic appearance. A score of 15 to 17 suggests the horse lacks some refinement, fitness and type. Horses that score 12 to 14 may exhibit a coarseness or less eye appeal because they are too large or too small, or off type. A score of 9 to 11 suggests the horse lacks style and type.
Performance Evaluation
Only light horses from three to five years of age are evaluated for performance.
Horses entered in performance classes will be ridden or driven in a prescribed pattern (determined by the evaluators). The patterns will be made up of simple maneuvers consistent with the basic training of young horses in each breed. Maneuvers may include walking, trotting, cantering, changing leads, changing direction, moving off the leg, halting and backing.
The objectives of the performance evaluation are to evaluate the athletic ability, temperament and trainability of the young horse.
A horse will excel in the performance evaluation if it remains under control, moves in a light, relaxed, rhythmic style, and executes the transitions quickly and quietly. The horse should be a willing participant who enjoys the activity.
For the Alberta Horse Improvement Program, emphasis will be placed on identifying those horses that have potential to excel in a wide range of performances. Training for specialized activities, such as pleasure, trail, reining, park horse, dressage, jumping, etc., will not be part of the evaluation.
Participation Eligibility
- All horses must be Alberta-bred and have been foaled from a mare owned by an Alberta resident at the time of foaling. The lease of a mare at the time of foaling is considered the same as ownership, provided the breed registry recognizes the lease agreement.
- The term "breeder" on the entry form is defined as the person owning the mare at the time of foaling.
- All horses must be registered within the recognized breed or registry of the class entered. Only Canadian registration papers are accepted for Morgans and Welsh Ponies. Arabians and Appaloosas with Canadian registration papers will be identified with the Canadian papers.
- A horse may enter under only one breed classification and may not cross-enter in a different breed class.
- The age of the horse will be that accepted by the respective breed association.
- Performance classes may be entered each year the horse is within the specified age group (3 to 5 years of age).
Who to Contact for More Information
Light Horse Improvement Program:
Vern Baron
403-782-8109
Les Burwash
Horse Industry Section, Alberta Agriculture
403-948-8538
Draft Horse Improvement Program:
Bruce Roy
403-337-2342
Les Burwash Horse
Industry Section, Alberta Agriculture
403-948-8538 |