Therefore, Quarter Horse conformation tends to be downhill with tremendous power and musculature in the sacrum, hips, and thighs to enable them to dig in, turn, and go. Magnusson (1985) showed less variance among judges on overall impressions and type traits. So, it is sensible to avoid conformational problems like being calf-kneed (back at the knee), which potentially exacerbates hyperextension of these joints. Roan horses may have distinct or indistinct white markings. Major areas to focus on are balance, muscling, type and way of going. Definition : Conformation refers to the shape, dimensions, and proportions of a horse, created by its musculoskeletal structure. Lateral tuberosity of the distal end of the radius A horse with good balance always has an attractive profile, which means he appeals to the eye. Tension on hock joints that leads to degenerative arthritis. When examining the conformational traits of individual limbs, a plumb line approach is useful in identifying angular or torsional deviation of segments from the vertical or horizontal at each joint level (Figure 15-4). One confor - m ation analysis system is known as BSMQTT: balance, stru ctu re, m u scling, qu ality, type, and travel. Upright pastern If a horse has bad conformation, then that means the bone structure may be disproportioned. "A long or short neck may affect the way the horse rides but it will . 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. (See "The Triangle: A Tool for Quick, Accurate Assessment.") Judging Conformation. (From Mawdsley A, Kelly EP, Smith FH, Brophy PO: Linear assessment of the thoroughbred horse: an approach to conformation evaluation, Equine Vet J 28:461, 1996.) 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. A horse with good conformation has a centerline that splits the leg to the level of the fetlock (the horse's ankle), and then falls to the ground just behind the heel. The veterinarian palpates the horse, checking muscles, joints, bones and tendons for evidence of pain, heat, swelling or any other physical abnormalities. You can think of this by comparing a Warmblood to a Quarter Horse. 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. FIGURE 15-1 Illustrations of some common conformational defects of the forelimbs (see Table 15-1 for description). ACVIM, of High Desert Equine, in Reno, Nevada, says watching a horse in motion always trumps . This evaluation may be regarded as the front line for judgments when selecting horses for specific intended tasks, including breeding selection. Some breeds of horse have heavier or rounder muscles than others. It affects the looks of a horse - the shape and proportions of its body. Straight behind Conformation: The conformation of a therapy horse (the way its parts are put together), is only important as it relates to weight carrying ability, soundness, and movement. If it's too big, then it will add a little extra weight to the forehand which is naturally already carrying around 60 percent of a horse's total weight. 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. The Front Legs . Figure 1. A wide chest (from the front) allows for good stamina, endurance and lung capacity. This has resulted in verification of some traditional empirical ideals and refuting of others, though results are often conflicting. 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. (2006c) also suggested that variability in judgment is affected by the limited repeatability of measurement techniques due to inaccurate identification of anatomic landmarks and inconsistent positioning of the subject. 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). Measurements Taken 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. Email Practical.Horseman@EquiNetwork.com or mail a print to Conformation Clinic, Practical Horseman, 656 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 600, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Space between the fourth carpal, the third metacarpal, and the fourth metacarpal bones Instead, look at the big picture of your horses conformation, job, and way of going.. Developing a horses entire body to be strong at the center and balanced from front to back helps overcome many conformational problems.. . Too big of a head will cause the horse to be clumsy and move heavy on their front. Chin Groove: the part of the horse's head behind the lower lip and chin. When considering conformation, Chrysann Collatos, VMD, PhD, Dipl. Radiocarpal joint angle >180 degrees or lack of full carpal extension causing a flexion moment 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). These specimens illustrate how the size and shape of the bones vary between horses. Riders often have the objective of lightening a horses front end under saddle by spending time worrying about head position, says Duberstein. Conditioning a horse properly goes a long way toward delaying the onset of fatigue, and using leg protection can help prevent interference injuries. This means that an imaginary line drawn down the front of the horse's pastern should continue in that line down the front of the hoof wall. Conformation can, therefore, only be considered an indicator for future athletic potential. Sickle hock/curby hock Box level +/ crossbar (2006a) found measurement variations in stance within one horse to be almost as large as between horses, thus highlighting the importance of standardized repeatable positioning of the horse. Horses differ in conformation, which affects how well they can perform in different events. Introduction. 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. If the red hair comes from the chestnut pattern, the mane, tail, and legs will be red. Maintaining Your Horses Weight During the Winter, Special Report: Preventing 3 Common Equine Joint Issues, JACKSON- Gelding/Bay/Mustang (Nevada) - Project/Ready for Training, JENNINGS Gelding/Cremello/Mustang (BLM) Ridable (Green), Behavioral Signs of Equine Cheek Tooth Findings, Feeding Young Horses: Graduating to a Grown-Up Diet, ALLIE: Dark Brown Dun Mustang Mare Non-Riding Companion Only. Evaluating Conformation - A Dynamic Process "You don't just look at a horse from a static view, and you don't just look at them from one angle," Adams stressed. Conformation is the mixing of the different body parts of the horse, and how well they fit together visually and physically to create a high-performing, talented racehorse. A nicely sloped hoof will transfer weight from the tendons to the upper leg. Dynamic load distribution and landing patterns play an important role in equine orthopaedics. Whether barefoot or shod, the resilience to withstand the stresses of competition and to achieve athletic longevity is enhanced by a balanced foot, says Collatos. Collaborate with your veterinarian, as well, using radiographs (X rays) to evaluate hoof angles and foot placement and guide shoeing and trimming recommendations. However, (such) a horse may have conformational characteristics that are able to be trained for maximum locomotor efficiency, such as the ability to move with impulsion from behind, raise its withers, and engage its core. Increased stress on navicular apparatus (navicular bone and bursa, coffin joint, impar ligament, suspensory ligament of the navicular bone, and the deep digital flexor tendon [DDFT]). Objective conformational evaluation provides a useful adjunct to subjective assessment by quantification of some conformational traits; however, it must be remembered that not all conformational aspects can be measured objectively. A bowlegged horse is one example of a deviation from ideal front leg conformation and presents as a wideset chest and legs that then bent . With good conformation, and that important factor of heart and athletic ability, horses are capable of exceptional athletic performance. All rights reserved. Proximal end of the spine of the scapula When assessing deviation of the limb from the vertical, Weller et al. Cranial end of the wing of atlas Increase in fetlock drop and potential for suspensory ligament strain. (From Mawdsley A, Kelly EP, Smith FH, Brophy PO: Linear assessment of the thoroughbred horse: an approach to conformation evaluation, Equine Vet J 28:461, 1996). Desirable conformation. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. Selection of a horse in the presence of a less-than-desirable conformation is not always considered unwise. Offset knee/bench knee The front legs support 60-65% of the horse's weight. Proximal attachment of the lateral collateral ligament of the fetlock joint to the distal end of the third metatarsal bone Conformation can be defined as the formation of something by appropriate arrangement of parts or elements: an assembling into a whole (Websters dictionary, 1976) and equine conformation appraisal is traditionally based on the external appearance of the body shape, form or outline of the animal. The entire hindlimb should be bisected evenly in the caudal view. For these, quantitative conformational assessment, in addition to these traditional judging methods, has been suggested to improve predictive capability (Holmstrom and Philipsson, 1993). 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 (. Balance. How to Choose the Right Calories for Your Horse, Respiratory Equine Herpesvirus in Pennsylvania Barn, Podotrochlosis: Navicular is No Longer the End of the Road for Horses. Large formed hocks are better at absorbing concussion and generally make for a sounder joint. (2006a) found measurement variations in stance within one horse to be almost as large as between horses, thus. Dynamic Motion vs. Static Structure. For these, quantitative conformational assessment, in addition to these traditional judging methods, has been suggested to improve predictive capability (Holmstrom and Philipsson, 1993). 3. Within that group, lameness is often linked to foot conformation (Trotter, 2004).During lameness examination, load distribution is assessed in a static position with the horse standing squarely, as well as dynamically at walk and trot (Back and Pille, 2013). The croup helps transfer energy for thrust and power from the hindquarters. Biomechanical evaluation relies heavily on strict physical and mechanical relationships of segments, requiring accurate anatomic terminology. So, it is sensible to avoid conformational problems like being calf-kneed (back at the knee), which potentially exacerbates hyperextension of these joints. Weller et al. The aim of this study was to analyse dynamic load distribution and hoof landing patterns of sound Standardbreds. Only gold members can continue reading. The general shape or outline of an object, or the arrangement or configuration of parts of an object Radiography has also been used to measure joint angles and segment lengths. The top of the neck should ideally be twice as long as the underside of the horse's neck, or a 2-to-1 ratio. Inward rotation of the hocks leads to osteoarthritis and thoroughpin. Uneven feet TABLE 151 Lack of symmetry will stress those points and may harm or limit the horses ability to perform with grace and ease. Pain and conformation. Despite these limitations, subjective evaluation can be easily and quickly performed by an experienced evaluator, expediting the assessment of large numbers of horses within a short time frame. Flatter Croups. Suspensory ligament injuries are common and serious causes of lameness in all disciplines. When assessing foal conformation, limbs can also be viewed from above at the shoulder and hip (skyline view). Objective assessment of conformation 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. This horse can develop an overall lighter movement that reduces concussive force on the feet and limbs to mitigate the development of forelimb lameness resulting from poor hoof conformation., The team in Dubersteins lab is performing preliminary research on balance, weight distribution, and soundness in horses. Predispose to degenerative joint disease (hock spavin) and curb (plantar ligament strain). Twisting of fetlocks also predisposes to arthritis. . When a horse stands square, they should have a shoulder angle between 40 and 55 degrees. Although meeting with some success, 6 of 21 traits were classified unacceptably low in repeatability (Mawdsley et al., 1996). When examining the conformational traits of individual limbs, a plumb line approach is useful in identifying angular or torsional deviation of segments from the vertical or horizontal at each joint level (Figure 15-4). In Ross MW, Dyson SJ, editors: Diagnosis and management of lameness in the horse, Philadelphia, PA, 2003, WB Saunders, p 21.) Some common terms describing conformational alignments are defined anatomically in Table 15-1 and illustrated in Figure 15-1 and Figure 15-2. 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. ( See the figure for . Here are a few examples: Romantique is an 11-year-old Haflinger ridden to 2015 First Level Reserve Champion (18-21) at the Northern California Junior/Young Rider Championships by Arianna Barzman-Grennan. The combinations of joint configurations and segment lengths are infinite and multifaceted, so the resulting judgment is variable and directly dependent on the individual expertise and personal ideal of the practitioner. This finding was supported by a study comparing radiographic and visual assessments of hoofpastern conformation in Warmblood foals (Kroekenstoel et al., 2006).Visual assessment was only in agreement with radiologic evidence in 6 of 92 (6.5%) evaluations. Image: drfgyhjkl (image/png) Answer. 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). The neck should tie into the horses body fairly high to provide good chest space. They generally appear somewhat uphill in their balance, with a neck that comes relatively high out of the withers, a moderately sloped shoulder, and a very powerful sacrum and pelvis. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care. 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. The conformation or inherent anatomic structure of the horse is an integral part of the equine musculoskeletal constitution and will influence the quality of dynamic performance. A wedge pad also increases ground pressure forces through the heels, which actually reduces heel growth, when the goal should be to promote it. Goniometer (see Figure 15-3) There is no published data relating dynamic conformation to biomechanical loading. 2. Notably, the definition and number of traits evaluated, the point scale scoring system of conformational traits, and the image of an ideal phenotype varies greatly among registries, organizations, and countries; therefore, specific classification is essential for comparative evaluations. This results in uneven distribution of concussion each time the limb impacts the ground, with one area of the bone, joint, or soft tissue structures assuming excessive impact., She cautions against getting hung up on absolutes such as which conformational flaw is better or worse than another. A horse that exhibits correct conformation should be a natural athlete. Wider Definition : A more holistic definition considers the implications of form for dynamic function as well. Horses with straighter shoulders and pastern angles tend to have shorter strides. The ideal horse will probably grow and wear its feet down evenly because it will properly load its weight when it moves. When an owner complains about tripping, subtle or inconsistent forelimb lameness, or difficulty in transitions, cervical arthritis is on my list of potential differentials., Collatos says she tends to avoid a low-set neck conformation for upper-level dressage or show jumping prospects. One way to measure this angle is to measure down the center of the shoulder blade to the point of the . Cow hocked/in at the hock Base narrow Figure 1 demonstrates this conformation. Briefly, relevant body observations should include head shape and size; height at the withers and croup; body length; neck length; shoulder length (top of the withers to point of the shoulder); pelvic length (tuber coxae to tuber ischii); scapular and humeral inclination; pelvic and femoral inclination; and chest width. 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