When evaluating the conformation of a horse, you should consider the following areas: balance, muscle, structural correctness, and breed and sex characteristics (Figure 1). The lack of anatomic precision, documentation, or both limits the interpretation of some studies. Lateral tuberosity of the distal end of the radius 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 (MCPJ or fetlock) and fall 5 cm behind the heel in the lateral view. Racehorse conformation and its' potential to predict animal performance - Volume 2009 FIGURE 15-3 Measurement of shoulder length (A), rump length (B), shoulder angle (C), and rump angle (D). Carpal arthrosis is more common in racehorses due to hyperextension of their carpal (knee) joints when they fatigue, says Duberstein. 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 (Ross, 2003) caudal to the heel in the lateral view. For these, quantitative conformational assessment, in addition to these traditional judging methods, has been suggested to improve predictive capability (Holmstrom and Philipsson, 1993). This line should run from the point of the buttock to slightly inside the hock, to the middle of the hoof. 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. 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). Objective assessment of conformation "A long or short neck may affect the way the horse rides but it will . The Head. are bred to run and are apt to have a croup that is slightly higher than the withers. 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. The stance of the horse has been identified as a major source of error in conformation assessment, as small changes in limb placement and weight distribution can introduce significant variation in segmental alignment. If the red hair comes from the bay pattern, the mane, tail, and legs will be black. From these observations, an overall proportioned symmetry in lengths and heights is desirable, both left to right and fore to hind. Judging and Conformation of Horses By: Carey Williams, Ph.D. - Rutgers University Graphics courtesy of: US Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship Book 1 Balance 1. Offset knee/bench knee The lack of anatomic precision, documentation, or both limits the interpretation of some studies. The front legs support 60-65% of the horse's weight. Some common terms describing conformational alignments are defined anatomically in Table 15-1 and illustrated in. 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. (1) an overview of the conformation of the horse, (2) an approach to the evaluation of conformation, (3) an evaluation of the effect that conformation has on the dynamics of equine locomotion, and (4) the cor-relation of defects in conformation that contribute to pathology in the horse. Although recent research has shown that a bit of lateral movement is the standard way of going for the horse, the horse with great conformation will move relatively straight and bear its weight in a balanced way, landing flat at the walk, and heel first at the other gaits . Prepurchase recommendations and perceived animal value rest highly on this assessment. The cannon bone in the foreleg should be shorter than that of the rear leg. Proximal end of the spine of the scapula The head should be in proportion to the rest of the horse. 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. Magnusson (1985) showed less variance among judges on overall impressions and type traits. Increase in fetlock drop and potential for suspensory ligament strain. All assessment of equine conformation should be conducted with the horse standing squarely (loading all limbs symmetrically) on a level surface. Goniometer (see Figure 15-3) Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, Major areas to focus on are balance, muscling, type and way of going. Extra ribs allow for a shorter back, which results in stronger coupling of the loin area. The literature presented in this chapter will follow the terminology appearing in the research papers. Figure 1: Difference in shape of the sacrum. When a horse has a conformational defecttoed in or out, offset cannon bones, benched knees, sickle-hockedbones dont line up correctly at the joints. When assessing deviation of the limb from the vertical, Weller et al. ACVIM, of High Desert Equine, in Reno, Nevada, says watching a horse in motion always trumps . There is emerging a new way of assessing conformation in the dynamic realm, until now . Proximal end of the spine of the scapula, 4. As herbivores, horses have a heavy GI tract with a very rigid spine to support that weight. 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. Unit Mixte de Recherche de l'Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique et de l'Ecole Nationale Vtrinaire d'Alfort (UMR INRA-ENVA) de Biomcanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du Cheval, Maisons-Alfort, France. Conformation is a major factor in the physical soundness of a horse. For example, a caudal deviation at the radiocarpal or metacarpal joint complex (knee) may be described as back at the knee, calf knee, or carpal hyperextension, none of which describes the precise origin of segmental misalignment. 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. In many instances, coexisting conformational anomalies will be present, at times allowing biomechanical compensation and at other times exacerbating musculoskeletal stresses during locomotion. Base narrow When considering conformation, Chrysann Collatos, VMD, PhD, Dipl. Center of the anterior part of the greater trochanter of the femur This point puts the horse at threat of lameness because of to instabilities in its gait or motion and way of journey. With good conformation, and that important factor of heart and athletic ability, horses are capable of exceptional athletic performance. 2. Aesthetic factors such as athletic elegance, suppleness, overall balance and harmony, jumping style, and movement symmetry are necessarily subjectively based.< div class='tao-gold-member'> A wide chest (from the front) allows for good stamina, endurance and lung capacity. Dynamic conformation. If it is on the large side, the horse will be very difficult to raise off the forehand. Many sport horses are also prone to ringbone (pastern or coffin joint arthritis) and suspensory ligament injuries; therefore, alignment of the bones in the lower limb is also important.. When buying a new horse, we tend to look at their conformation. RELATED CONTENT | 7 Conformation Flaws: Piecing Together What We Know, Contracted heels or a club foot may predispose a horse to concussion-related foot lameness, she says. Croup: from point of hip to point of buttock. . The ideal conformation of a young horse for any competition or sound family mount. She cites an example of a horse with contracted heels or a club foot in front yet a strong, symmetrical, well-conformed pelvis and hind limbs. Very few horses have perfect conformation. A shorter hindquarter supports power and strength. Height at withers, back, and croupLength of head, body, limbsDepth of chestWidth of breast and pelvis 3. The walk and trot should be checked both under saddle and in hand. 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. Magnusson (1985) showed less variance among judges on overall impressions and type traits. A study on Thoroughbred racehorses highlighted that variation in horses and performance is not fully explained by a few underlying conformational components but is a result of a complex interaction of all conformational parameters (Weller et al., 2006b). 2) What conformation flaw is shown? Faults in conformation should be symmetrical. Tibiotarsal (hock) angle 53 degrees or less (Holmstrom et al., 1990) 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 . 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. So, it is sensible to avoid conformational problems like being calf-kneed (back at the knee), which potentially exacerbates hyperextension of these joints. Static vs dynamic conformation. Why were losing our horse doctors and how to begin solving the problem. For these, quantitative conformational assessment, in addition to these traditional judging methods, has been suggested to improve predictive capability (Holmstrom and Philipsson, 1993). Predispose to degenerative joint disease (hock spavin) and curb (plantar ligament strain). Dynamic load distribution and landing patterns play an important role in equine orthopaedics. This can be demonstrated by the red lines in Figure 2. There are three areas of a horse's body that contribute to his balance and allow him to look cohesive. 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). 1. CHAPTER 15 Measure back length from the middle of the withers to the point of hip. A horse can move best with a short back and long neck. Conformation refers to the shape or structure of a horse, and it can impact a horse's athletic ability. (See "The Triangle: A Tool for Quick, Accurate Assessment.") Judging Conformation. There is wide variation of conformation between and within different breeds, the significance of which requires expert understanding of optimal breed characteristics and potential effects on soundness or performance. A horse needs to be standing squarely and fully weight bearing on all 4 feet to properly evaluate static balance. Particular attention is warranted in evaluation of distal limb alignment, hoof quality, size, and balance due to the concentration of locomotive stresses in this area. Suspensory ligament injuries are common and serious causes of lameness in all disciplines. Little information is available on the normal range of conformational traits within the Thoroughbred population.Objectives: To describe variations in conformation in a cohort of racing Thoroughbreds in order to provide a set of baseline standards within which . Then, stand back and look at the whole picturethe entire horsenot just the offset knee or base-narrow stance or turned-out toes, says Collatos. Some have more arch to the neck and dish to the face, or have more "action" when traveling. (37.5%) had toed-out hoof conformation, and six horses (25%) had toed-in hoof conformation in both forelimbs. Conformation will, therefore, partially dictate the relationship between form and function, thus modifying the potential for biomechanical efficiency, superior performance, musculoskeletal durability, and perhaps even longevity (Wallin et al., 2001). 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). Jumpers, reiners, and cutting horses are prone to. Illustrations of some common conformational defects of the forelimbs (see Table 15-1 for description). Conformation refers to the structure or outline of an animal as determined by the arrangement of its parts. Introduction Conformation plays an important role in the ability of a horse to perform. The hock should be: Level with the top of the chestnut on the front leg: the chestnut resides a few inches above the knee, Directly under the point of the buttocks, but slightly pointed inward when viewed from behind, Wide from front to back and set on top of a sturdy cannon bone when viewed from the side. FIGURE 15-3 Measurement of shoulder length (A), rump length (B), shoulder angle (C), and rump angle (D). This fact sheet will outline criteria that can be used to evaluate conformation of horses. Some common terms describing conformational alignments are defined anatomically in Table 15-1 and illustrated in Figure 15-1 and Figure 15-2. Coronet: The coronet is a layer of skin that encircles the top of the hoof . After assessment, overall observations can be related to desirable or benchmark breed-specific conformational characteristics and judgment made on the horses suitability to a given career. Yet, most studies have employed generalized or horsemanship terms in describing conformational traits. (From Ross MW: Conformation and lameness. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care. Establishing the exact source of the alignment deviation is imperative; for example, does a laterally pointing hoof, commonly described as toed out, originate from an externally rotated limb or from a particular distal joint? Ideally the foot lands slightly heel first at faster gaits (thus the shock absorbing function of the heel). Subjective assessment of conformation At the walk, however, landing flat is normal. 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. Related The bones are positioned so that the head of the horse would be to the right and the tail to the left. The sacral spines are labeled S1 to S5 and the green line shows the croup angle. A proportionate horse is usually square. Louise Dentith MSc, Senior Lecturer, Moulton College discusses the limbs and dynamic conformation of the horse. 3. This means that it is affected by both many genes and the environment. Aggregation of proteins into amyloid structures is a hallmark of human diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Hungtington's. Interestingly, amyloid fibrils can also serve essential biological roles in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. 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. Conformation can, therefore, only be considered an indicator for future athletic potential. 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). 4 Generally, a horse's neck should be one and a half times the length of the head. 6. Jumpers, reiners, and cutting horses are prone to hock arthritis, so straight hind leg or sickle-hocked (small hock angles) conformation traits are liabilities. Anatomic Description She cites an example of a horse with contracted heels or a. The point of ground contact has a . The evaluation of conformation has traditionally been subjective or empirical and remains the primary method of assessment. Tags: The Athletic Horse Principles and Practice of Equine Sports Medicine 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. Another strategy for helping horses deal with conformational flaws is sound conditioning. Look for the following when evaluating a horse's head. Transition between the proximal and the middle thirds of the lateral collateral ligament of the elbow If your horse's croup is higher, then your horse is built more downhill. A balanced and proportionate body is key to proper leg structure. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, You need to be logged in to fill out this form. From the front of the horse, you should be able to draw a straight line from the point of the shoulder down the center of the leg. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. The croup helps transfer energy for thrust and power from the hindquarters. , as the ultimate long-distance athletes, are generally balanced front to back, with lean muscle mass and shoulder angles that optimize efficiency at moving across the ground with minimal effort or limb lift. The mean velocity at the walk and trot, and the pressure plate data of both forelimbs (PVF, VI and ST) and their asymmetry indices are . Upright pastern CONFORMATION OF HORSES Agriscience 334 Equine Science #8893-B TEKS: 119.66 (c)(2)(B). Less shock absorption through the limbs and increased forelimb 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 . A strong, well-placed hock makes a stronger, more efficient leg. 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. 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. The neck should tie into the horse's body fairly high to provide good chest space. Short-Strided Horses. (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.). 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). Radiocarpal joint angle >180 degrees or lack of full carpal extension causing a flexion moment In at the knee/knock knee 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. 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. 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. Many times what riders are creating is just the appearance of suppleness, however, with energy/impulsion never really coming from behind and the horse not stepping up under himself and moving into the bridle properly. 2. 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