Step 1
Like humans, horses will sweat. A small build up of sweat on a horse's coat is a good sign. A light ring of sweat between a horse's back legs is also a good sign of keenness. However, a heavy build up that has turned into foam (known as 'washiness') is not. Watch out for horse's working themselves into a sweat shortly before a race.

Step 2
A horse's muscular definition is another important factor and there are three main areas to look at. Firstly, look at its hind-quarters for a sharply defined line from a point about a quarter of the way down the rump through to the top of the rear legs.