Prepurchase recommendations and perceived animal value rest highly on this assessment. Yet, most studies have employed generalized or horsemanship terms in describing conformational traits. Good conformation is the foundation for good performance. . When assessing deviation of the limb from the vertical, Weller et al. The point of ground contact has a . FIGURE 15-2 Illustrations of some common conformational defects of the hindlimbs (see Table 15-1 for description). In horses with ideal conformation, a visualized vertical plumb line dropped from the tuberosity of the scapular spine should bisect the longitudinal axis of the forelimb to the metacarpophalangeal joint (fetlock) and fall 5 cm behind the heel in the lateral view. This evaluation may be regarded as the front line for judgments when selecting horses for specific intended tasks, including breeding selection. Proximal end of the tuber coxae So, theres a fine line between conditioning a horse to prevent fatigue that could cause acute injury and trying to minimize inevitable wear and tear that comes with repeated movements and impact, says Duberstein. Base-wide, feet move forward in inward arcs "winging". This line should run from the point of the buttock to slightly inside the hock, to the middle of the hoof. If conformational liabilities affect a horses performance in a specific sport, then you might ultimately need to find a different horse for that pursuit and point him toward another sport that capitalizes on his strengths and abilities. Muscle in the hindquarters must be symmetrical and balanced with the rest of the body. If your horse's croup is higher, then your horse is built more downhill. Selecting a horse that is well-built in its skeletal structure will provide a more comfortable ride and reduce health issue. unshod Standardbred horses with toed-in, toed-out and normal hoof conformation Vet J. If the red hair comes from the bay pattern, the mane, tail, and legs will be black. If it is on the large side, the horse will be very difficult to raise off the forehand. This fact sheet will outline criteria that can be used to evaluate conformation of horses. N. CREVIER-DENOIX. Fig 11.2 Standard position and reference points used in conformation analysis of Thoroughbred racehorses. To have the best chance of a sound horse, first select one with good all-around conformation, keep hoof angles balanced, maintain the horse at a healthy weight to avoid overtaxing the musculoskeletal system, provide plenty of turnout, and condition him properly to do the job you are going to ask him to do, says Duberstein. Correct front legs will move in a straight line and promote the following. The evaluation of conformation has traditionally been subjective or empirical and remains the primary method of assessment. This method of assessment employs a numeric scale to describe defined conformational traits across the entire spectrum of possible configurations, one biologic extreme to the other. A thorough hands-on exam. Box level +/ crossbar The opposite of a ewe neck, with a pronounced curve on the topline, but still a conformation fault, as the horse will not go correctly and may hollow his back. Selection of a horse in the presence of a less-than-desirable conformation is not always considered unwise. It does not only help us choose a pretty horse, but it also aids us in assessing their quality and even their risk of injury. "Dynamic" balance is defined as that conformation that allows the foot to contact the ground in a prescribed pattern. good conformation. Also it is ideal for the foot to land directly beneath the bone column in a limb with good conformation.
Attempts to correct some foot deviations, such as shoring up low heels on a long-toed horse, can lead to further problems, notes Collatos. A line dropped from the cranial aspect of the greater tubercle of the humerus (point of the shoulder) should bisect the forelimb in the cranial view. Generally, a horse's neck should be one and a half times the length of the head. Less shock absorption through the limbs and increased forelimb concussion. In the hindlimb, a plumb line dropped from the ischial tuberosity should touch the point of the calcaneous (prominent caudally in the tarsus or hock), follow the plantar metatarsal surface to the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ or fetlock) and fall 7.5 to 10 cm caudal to the heel in the lateral view. Good chest and rib form leads to strong leg, shoulder and neck attachment, which creates a powerful athletic performer. The neck should tie into the horse's body fairly high to provide good chest space. Cow hocked/in at the hock But the front versus rear leg lameness tends to relate to overall horse use. One way to measure this angle is to measure down the center of the shoulder blade to the point of the . Magnusson (1985) showed less variance among judges on overall impressions and type traits. Tool Weller et al. Height at withers, back, and croupLength of head, body, limbsDepth of chestWidth of breast and pelvis Short-Backed vs. Long-Backed Horses. Sometimes we have a young horse we will need to decide what discipline to train him under, but other times we have a horse doing one "job" but struggling at it. Endurance horses experience repetitive concussion at moderate speeds for many consecutive hours. Equine Regenerative Therapies for Managing Arthritis in Horses, Infographic | 12 Smart At-Home Biosecurity Practices for Horse Owners, Infographic | How To Keep Your Horses Joints Healthy. As a horse comes into the breed ring and stands at the peak of the triangle, the judge has only three minutes to make a total assessment. This has resulted in verification of some traditional empirical ideals and refuting of others, though results are often conflicting. It is important to remember that a horse isnt a cheetah or a greyhound, and no matter how hard horses are pushed to achieve a specific body position under saddle, their spine (in the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral area) doesnt really bend, she continues. Conformation refers to the shape or structure of a horse, and it can impact a horse's athletic ability. Ideally, when viewed from the side, you should be able to draw a straight line through the center of the bones of the forearm, knee, cannon and bulb of the heel. 12. With poor conformation, a horse may be best suited to quiet trail rides. FIGURE 15-1 Illustrations of some common conformational defects of the forelimbs (see Table 15-1 for description). 4) Which line represents the length of the Tibia/Fibula? Magnusson (1985) showed less variance among judges on overall impressions and type traits. Conformation of the cervical (neck) spine is critical for creating a connection from the poll to the base of the tail, she explains. ACVIM, of High Desert Equine, in Reno, Nevada, says watching a horse in motion always trumps looking at him standing still. Although different breeds will have feet of different shapes and sizes, it is universally and anecdotally desirable to have balanced feet positioned symmetrically under the central limb axis with a straight hoofpastern axis (the dorsal surface of the hoof wall lies parallel to the dorsal surface of the pastern region) (see Figure 15-3 and. Proximal attachment of the lateral collateral ligament of the stifle joint to the femur, 4. The cannon bone in the foreleg should be shorter than that of the rear leg. Objective assessment of conformation However, training can help develop core strength and flexibility to markedly enhance a horse with less-than-ideal balance or limb conformation. This evaluation may be regarded as the front line for judgments when selecting horses for specific intended tasks, including breeding selection. There is a great need to clarify and standardize the descriptive terminology of joint alignments, as most conformational traits are described using multiple traditional and variable nonscientific terms, rather than by defining anatomic configuration. Tied in below the knee Quantitative knowledge of the normal growth patterns within particular breeds and evidence-based studies on the progression of conformational traits and gait quality from foal age to maturity are sparse. Veterinarian conformational assessment should particularly focus on the presence of any such faults and the relationship of these faults to existing or potential pathologic conditions (Rossdale and Butterfield, 2006).
An important ratio to consider when evaluating a horse's conformation is the ratio of the top of the neck to the bottom of the neck. This includes Bute or Banamine, etc. Excess stress on lateral joint surfaces and medial splint bones. It affects the looks of a horse - the shape and proportions of its body. It should be round with muscle to provide a smooth contoured shape. Poor conformation can lead to problems related to concussion. The skeletal format will affect such factors as joint range of motion, limb arc and hoof flight patterns, and weight distribution in motion, with subsequent effects on . Some studies and studbooks have used a system of linear scoring in an attempt to quantify the repeatability of subjective evaluation (Dolvik and Klemetsdal, 1999; Koenen et al., 1995; Mawdsley et al., 1996). Subjective assessment of conformation Back at the knee/calf knee are bred to have a combination of elevated movement and elongated stride. Long or short neck. The evaluation of conformation has traditionally been subjective or empirical and remains the primary method of assessment. Screwing motion of footfall leads to foot bruising, corns, and quarter cracks and potential for ringbone (coffin or pastern joint arthritis). Figures; References; Related; Details; 12 March 2012 Volume 2012 Issue 4. Conformation: The conformation of a horse refers to how the horse is built. 4. Wherever the head moves, body weight tends to follow., Riders in many disciplines desire certain neck sets and conformation that lead to musculoskeletal issues, says Collatos. This decreases pressure on the tendons and maintains soundness. You may also needEvaluation of performance potentialAge and disuse in athletes: Effects of detraining, spelling, injury, and ageMuscle anatomy, physiology, and adaptations to exercise and trainingTraining working horsesComparative aspects of exercise physiologyThermoregulationThe respiratory system: Anatomy, physiology, and adaptations to exercise and trainingTraining the event horse In the hindlimb, a plumb line dropped from the ischial tuberosity should touch the point of the calcaneous (prominent caudally in the tarsus or hock), follow the plantar metatarsal surface to the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ or fetlock) and fall 7.5 to 10 cm caudal to the heel in the lateral view. Although different breeds will have feet of different shapes and sizes, it is universally and anecdotally desirable to have balanced feet positioned symmetrically under the central limb axis with a straight hoofpastern axis (the dorsal surface of the hoof wall lies parallel to the dorsal surface of the pastern region) (see Figure 15-3 and Figure 15-5). What does good conformation mean? ( See the figure for . Proximal attachment of the lateral collateral ligament of the fetlock joint to the distal end of the third metatarsal bone. However, opinions concerning segment lengths, joint angles, and skeletal inclinations were largely discrepant. Horses differ in conformation, which affects how well they can perform in different events. Name of breed: Shire Country of origin: England Breed origin: The Shire is a breed of draught horse that originated in England in the 17 th century. Straight behind A horse with good balance always has an attractive profile, which means he appeals to the eye. They also tend to . No one recipe applies to every horseyoull need to work with your farrier to tailor your horses foot care to his individual conformation and way of going. Tends to wing the feet with potential for interference injury. Aesthetic factors such as athletic elegance, suppleness, overall balance and harmony, jumping style, and movement symmetry are necessarily subjectively based. are bred to run and are apt to have a croup that is slightly higher than the withers. Initial attempts to provide absolute values in conformation assessment have used the tools listed in Table 15-2 in combination with a reference marker system. As some conformational traits are dynamic and will only be apparent during ambulation, the traditional emphasis of conformational assessment as a pure description of static external appearance has been extended to include a more functional assessment of conformation during unridden and ridden gaits in some of the studies cited in this chapter. Conformation usually comes into play during three events: looking at a horse to buy, looking at a horse to breed, and determining the best "job" for a horse. Toed out feet (2006a) found measurement variations in stance within one horse to be almost as large as between horses, thus. That might or might not offer them a speed advantage but has been bred into many lines of racehorses. However, certain conformational faults such as extreme tarsal angulation (large or small) and tarsal valgus are almost certainly predisposing to injury or lameness in racing events and are best avoided. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The constant growth of the hoof creates a dynamic relationship between the digital axis and dorsal hoof wall, which suggests that completely straight hoofpastern axes cannot exist over time without natural wear or appropriate trimming (Moleman et al., 2006). Soft tissue fatigue develops insidiously throughout a competition; therefore, long, sloping pasterns are a risk factor for development of forelimb suspensory injury in (these) distance athletes.. And, armed with that knowledge, you can take steps to help keep him sound. A horse that has horizontal balance will have a straight line from withers to croup. Initial attempts to provide absolute values in conformation assessment have used the tools listed in Table 15-2 in combination with a reference marker system. These traits were hoofpastern axis in both forelimbs and hindlimbs, head size, and vertical alignment of the forelimbs and hindlimbs, all having a coefficient of variation greater than 10%. The aim of this study was to analyse dynamic load distribution and hoof landing patterns of sound Standardbreds. 2. Although meeting with some success, 6 of 21 traits were classified unacceptably low in repeatability (Mawdsley et al., 1996). Cranial, caudal, and lateral views are needed to determine limb deviations in the sagittal, coronal (frontal), and transverse planes (see Figures 15-1 and 15-2). All assessment of equine conformation should be conducted with the horse standing squarely (loading all limbs symmetrically) on a level surface. The shoulder and pastern angles should be between 40 and 55 degrees. Use this figure for Questions below. Very few horses have perfect conformation. The entire hindlimb should be bisected evenly in the caudal view. Congruent sloping angulation of the shoulder and hip is also desirable, with a proportional length of individual limbs in relation to the height and size of the body (Figure 15-3). The lack of anatomic precision, documentation, or both limits the interpretation of some studies. Space between the fourth tarsal, the third metatarsal, and the fourth metatarsal bones The major disadvantages in using these methods are the possible errors introduced by marker placement on skeletal landmarks, particularly in the proximal skeleton, the consequent reliability of findings, and the time required to perform the measurements (Weller et al., 2006a). Some conformational traits are more likely to affect horses soundness and performance depending on the discipline. Question 11. Webcast | Instead, look at the big picture of your horses conformation, job, and way of going.. . When a horse has a conformational defecttoed in or out, offset cannon bones, benched knees, sickle-hockedbones dont line up correctly at the joints. Cranial, caudal, and lateral views are needed to determine limb deviations in the sagittal, coronal (frontal), and transverse planes (see Figures 15-1 and 15-2). There are five main criteria to evaluate when examining a horse's conformation: balance, structural correctness, way of going, muscling, and breed/sex . Collaborate with your veterinarian, as well, using radiographs (X rays) to evaluate hoof angles and foot placement and guide shoeing and trimming recommendations. Conformation assessment should be a systematic and organized process incorporating a general overall observation of size, symmetry, musculature, posture, balance, and demeanor, followed by a more specific evaluation of conformational traits of the body, individual limbs, and feet. For these, quantitative conformational assessment, in addition to these traditional judging methods, has been suggested to improve predictive capability (Holmstrom and Philipsson, 1993). It is with increasing frequency that osteoarthritis is diagnosed in the mid and lower cervical vertebrae, using ultrasound and advanced imaging such as CT (computed tomography). During the 16 th century, Dutch engineers brought Friesian horses with them when they came to England, and these horses probably had the most significant influence on what became known as the Shire . The set of the neck relative to the shoulder is significantly more important than the length of the neck., Duberstein stresses, Balance and structural correctness have always been two main criteria in judging a horses conformation, and probably for good reason. Evaluating Horse Conformation 4 A Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1400 How the neck ties in to the shoulder also tends to also influence the shape of the horse's neck. However, this requires expensive equipment, has the health and safety implications of possible radiation exposure to personnel involved, and is very sensitive to subject positioning (Barr, 1994; White et al., 2008). 3. If a horse has bad conformation, then that means the bone structure may be disproportioned. Lateral tuberosity of the distal end of the radius Only gold members can continue reading. (From Ross MW: Conformation and lameness. Congruent sloping angulation of the shoulder and hip is also desirable, with a proportional length of individual limbs in relation to the height and size of the body (Figure 15-3). Static vs dynamic conformation. In many instances, coexisting conformational anomalies will be present, at times allowing biomechanical compensation and at other times exacerbating musculoskeletal stresses during locomotion. The shoulder and pastern angles should be between 40 and . Moderate speeds for many consecutive hours ; Details ; 12 March 2012 Volume 2012 issue.... Bay pattern, the mane, tail, and skeletal inclinations were largely.... More downhill surfaces and medial splint bones for many consecutive hours half times the length of the deviation of shoulder! The front line for judgments when selecting horses for specific intended tasks including... 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